This afternoon: Greet the Michigan basketball team as it returns from Atlanta after championship loss

Fans can greet the Michigan basketball team Tuesday afternoon as players return from Atlanta after falling to Louisville in the NCAA championship game.

Although the players aren't coming home national champions, they're the first Michigan team in 20 years to advance to the championship game.

Thousands of eager fans traveled to Atlanta to watch Michigan vie for the national title, and now fans here can greet the team and bookend one of the most successful Wolverine basketball seasons in recent history.

The team is expected to arrive at Crisler Center sometime after 3:45 p.m. Doors open at 3 p.m.

Staff will be updating their arrival status on the basketball team's Facebook and Twitter pages.

Roughly 350 people turned out to greet the basketball team April 1, after the Wolverines beat Florida in Arlington, Texas, and advanced to the Final Four.

According to Dave Ablauf, an associate athletic director, there won't be a public celebration for the team. The university was planning to throw a parade for the team if they won the national title.

Kellie Woodhouse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at kelliewoodhouse@annarbor.com or 734-623-4602 and follow her on twitter.