Where to Get Michigan Final Four Gear in Birmingham

So, the Michigan Wolverines didn't win the NCAA championship Monday night, and though it hurts for die-hard fans, there's still plenty of reasons to memorialize their special season.

Local shop owners are banking on it.

Marc Secontine, owner of The Varsity Shop said he had numerous 'if they win' orders for commemorative hats, T-shirts and other memorabilia had the Wolverines pulled out a victory against Louisville in Atlanta Monday.

Though that would have brought an added level of excitement this week, he said there's still plenty of Final Four memorabilia and U of M gear in general to keep fans happy, and they've been eating it up.

"It's like a wave that was getting bigger and bigger with each win," Secontine said. "Coming to the end of the tournament there was still room on the bandwagon, but it's getting pretty full."

A lot of that, he said, was due to the unexpected nature of Michigan's post-season run. The last time he recalled such high interest in Final Four items, understandably, was when Michigan State headed to the finals in 2009 in Detroit.

"There was a ton of excitement then, but that was a different situation because they were really kind of a favorite to get to the Final Four, and it was here," he said. "Michigan slid under the radar to get here and a lot of people became believers."

Where to go for Final Four gear in and around Birmingham:

• The Varsity Shop
• Kroger
• Dick's Sporting Goods (Bloomfield Township)
• CVS