Michigan Basketball Team Involved in Plane Accident on Way to Big Ten Tournament

The Michigan basketball team avoided harm in a plane accident Wednesday on the way to the Big Ten tournament in Washington D.C.

Kyle Rowland of The Toledo Blade provided an explanation of the incident from the team's sports information director Tom Wywrot:

"

The Michigan men's basketball team plane was involved in an accident Wednesday afternoon. After attempting to take off in high winds, takeoff was aborted and, after strong braking, the plane slide off the runway. The plane sustained extensive damage but everyone on board was safely evacuated and is safe. The team is making alternate travel plans.

"

Matt Shepard of Fox Sports Detroit provided a view of the plane:

Brad Galli of WXYZ Detroit shared a viewer's image of the plane on the ground:

Head coach John Beilein provided another update on the team's welfare, per Andy Katz of ESPN:

The Wolverines are scheduled to face Illinois in the second round of the Big Ten tournament Thursday at 12 p.m. ET.

Michigan has had an up-and-down season but finished the regular season with six wins in the last eight games. Even as the No. 8 seed, the squad has the fourth-best odds to win the Big Ten tournament, per Odds Shark.

While an opening win over Illinois would help, the team is likely safely in the NCAA tournament field regardless of their tournament performance.

The important thing is that everyone is safe after Wednesday's scary incident.