In the words of Yogi Berra, “It’s déjà vu all over again!” That is exactly what the Montana Grizzlies and Michigan Wolverines must be thinking. It is very rare that two teams meet each other two seasons in a row in the NCAA Tournament. Yet Montana and Michigan are preparing for their second straight meeting in a first-round matchup.

Here we go again

According to a CBS Sports report, Michigan began its successful run to last year's NCAA title game against the Villanova Wildcats by beating Montana. The Wolverines got off to a horrible start, allowing the Grizzlies to jump out to a 10-0 lead.

In the end, Michigan cruised to a 61-47 win behind Charles Matthews' 20 points and 11 rebounds.

Now one year later, the Wolverines will be playing the same exact squad in the first round of this year's NCAA Tournament. Of all the teams in the tournament, it is a bit bizarre that these two would be matched up against one another once again. A few of the names have changed, but 80-percent of last year's team is intact for both the Wolverines and Grizzlies.

When second-seeded Michigan (28-6) takes on 15th-seeded Montana (26-8) on Thursday evening, you can bet that the Wolverines won’t forget how last year’s matchup started. It is well worth repeating that Montana came out of the gates on fire and they quickly built a 10-0 advantage before Michigan even knew what had happened.

Michigan head coach John Beilein doesn't want a repeat start this time around. In fact, he keeps indicating to the media that you can throw the seeding numbers out the window because this Montana team is good. Beilein is much more worried about the opponent than the seeding number next to their name.

Odds and prediction

The Grizzlies finished the season 26-8, capturing the Big Sky title.

They also set a team record by winning 52 games over the past two seasons. That happens to be the best run in program history. Oh, and one more thing, Montana will be making their fifth appearance in the NCAA Tournament since the 2009-10 season.

In other words, they are no pushovers or one hit wonders. Travis DeCuire has built a winning team out West and beating the Wolverines would surely be a great start to some national recognition.

That being said, the Wolverines cannot take the Grizzlies lightly.

Las Vegas oddsmakers have Michigan listed as a 15 point favorite with the over/under number set at 129.5. 15 points is a lot, but Michigan's experience should make that number interesting. The Wolverines should be able to handle the Grizzlies, but covering 15? It may be a toss-up. They just squeak by.

Michigan 75, Montana 59:

Tip-off for tonight's game is scheduled for 9:20 p.m. ET and will air live on TNT.
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