COLLEGE BASKETBALL / FINAL FOUR NOTES : MICHIGAN : Wolverines Like Underdog Role

The Michigan Wolverines are in the unfamiliar position of underdogs--and they like it.

The Wolverines (30-4) have the Fab Five, a deep bench and an 11-game winning streak. But Saturday they will face Kentucky, which made it to the Final Four by beating its Southeast Regional opponents by an average of 31 points a game.

“Kentucky’s the hottest team in the country. They’re playing absolutely phenomenal,” Michigan Coach Steve Fisher said. “They present the problem, like all good teams do, that they’ve got terrific athletes who are terrifically coached.”

Kentucky is favored to win, but Michigan has played its best this season against strong teams.

“When we win it’s not by enough, and when we lose, well . . . “ Michigan forward Chris Webber said. “It takes the pressure off when the other team is as good as you are.”