Michigan 79, Texas 65
Um, Texas? You there? [photo via Dustin Johnston/UMHoops]
The scouting report favored Michigan, and this game played to the scouting report.
The Wolverines advanced to the Sweet Sixteen by outshooting Texas considerably, hitting a team NCAA Tournament record 14 of their 28 three-point attempts. The Longhorns connected on less than 40% of their two-pointers, and while they managed to make a second-half surge by overwhelming Michigan on the boards, they simply couldn't keep pace.
After the Longhorns took an early 6-3 lead, Michigan went on a tear, eventually gaining a 30-12 advantage after a Zak Irvin triple—the seventh Wolverine three-pointer in the first 13 minutes. Texas's attempts to push the pace backfired, leading to several open shots for Michigan and a bunch of missed jumpers on the other end. One could only watch agape at the display of offensive firepower:
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
— Longhorn Network (@LonghornNetwork) March 22, 2014
Said firepower, when combined with a returned aversion to turnovers—Michigan committed just four all game—proved impossible to overcome.
While Texas managed to close the gap to 13 points by halftime, Michigan threatened to blow the game open entirely when the Longhorns opened the second half in a 2-3 zone. Michigan scored eight points in three possessions, with a couple Derrick Walton bombs over the top sandwiched around a Jordan Morgan dunk after gorgeous passing shredded the defense.
Them something strange happened. Rick Barnes called for a slight alteration to the 2-3, shading the backside guard over the middle, and then mixed in a fair amount of 1-3-1. Michigan went without a field goal for nearly six minutes. After Michigan had managed to mitigate Texas's size and rebounding advantage in the first half, the Longhorns dominated the boards in the second, and they pulled within six after an Isaiah Taylor jumper.
That's when Glenn Robinson III made two of the biggest plays of his career, first blowing by Connor Lammert and finishing with an impressive floater, then connecting on a three from the wing on Michigan's next possession to stretch the lead back to 11 with 6:45 to play.
A corner three by Spike Albrecht and a four-point trip after Jordan Morgan drew an intentional foul—while making a basket that was waved off, no less—put the final nails in the coffin. While it took them a while, Michigan eventually took advantage of the holes in the Longhorn zone, and once they did the proceedings were academic.
In addition to Robinson (14 points, 5/10 FG, 5 rebounds) and his second-half heroics, two performances really stood out for Michigan. Nik Stauskas led the team with 17 points on 15 shot equivalents while tying a career high with eight assists; his passing was key in picking apart Texas's zone. Then there was Morgan, who scored 15 (5/7 FG, 7/8 FT), pulled in ten rebounds (5 off.), dished out two assists, and recorded two steals. He limited Cameron Ridley to six points and nine rebounds while giving the Texas behemoth all sorts of trouble with his quickness on the other end.
While Michigan's offensive lull in the second half got a little scary, John Beilein had a response for every one of Rick Barnes's adjustments—yes, this was expected—and it's tough to get worried about the offense when they still managed to score 1.4 points per trip. This was another slow-paced game—just 57 possessions, one more than the Wofford slog—with a score that often belied the comfortable gap between the two teams.
With Duke off the board, Michigan awaits the winner of tomorrow evening's Tennessee/Mercer game. Either way, they've cleared the path for a deep run, and they've already accomplished a lot—did anyone imagine this team moving on to the Sweet Sixteen without much resistance after Mitch McGary went down?
Now, with McGary competing for the role of top cheerleader from the bench, Michigan will be favored to play for a spot in the Final Four regardless of who wins tomorrow. Take a bow, John Beilein.
You must deliver some awesome wedding reception toasts
Anyone have a time fro next Friday?
the sweet sixteen, but I didn't think they would do it with 14-15 point wins. I also thought that they could win the B1G, but not by 3 games.
Jordan Morgan is playing like a senior who sees his career coming to an end and wants to see it go out in style. I hope the younger guys are paying attention.
Stauskas impresses me more and more with each passing game. He is a complete (and smart) player.
I thought that this was are first really good game that we have played since the first Illinois game.
A Beilein to Barnes coaching comparison is very similar to the comparison of Harvard vs MSU team IQs.(Hint: it's about 5 to 1)
He limited Cameron Ridley to six points and nine rebounds while giving the Texas behemoth all sorts of trouble with his quickness on the other end.
Jordan Morgan is a grown-ass man.
March 23rd, 2014 at 12:43 AM ^
Not to be confused with Kramer, who is a grown assman.
I was very encouraged watching today. Against Wofford they fought through their own sloppy play, while here they came out executing well and kept their foot on the gas. The run they gave up was alarming, but they showed poise and patience in the way they held off TX. In games earlier this season they didn't do that and wound up with a few nail-biters. They look like they can give either Louisville or Witchita St. a run for their money.
March 22nd, 2014 at 10:04 PM ^
Awesome win. A little bit of nail biting, but very comfortable overall.
Moving on to Indy, I'm debating if I should make the 2 hour drive to support the Maize and Blue...
Go Blue baby!
March 22nd, 2014 at 11:14 PM ^
If you have the time to do it, how can you pass it up?
March 22nd, 2014 at 10:04 PM ^
March 22nd, 2014 at 10:06 PM ^
I thought we were going to witness the first on-court death in a NCAA tournament. Ridley looked seriously winded and ready to pass out.
March 22nd, 2014 at 10:10 PM ^
March 22nd, 2014 at 10:22 PM ^
I believe Ace is saying they will be favored to beat the Tenn/Mercer winner. Though Kenpom will have us as 'dogs to Tennessee as well.
March 22nd, 2014 at 10:27 PM ^
March 22nd, 2014 at 11:22 PM ^
Great game. Excellent performances from just about everyone on the roster. This team has now met my post-McGary expectations for the tournament, and already exceeded them in the regular season with the Big Ten title. This is an excellent year no matter what happens from here on out, as far as I'm concerned.
March 22nd, 2014 at 11:40 PM ^
Jordan Morgan had played one minute through the first to games last year. Horford/McGary had both passed him for playing time. After Mitch/GRIII anounced they were coming back there was speculation Morgan may take a grad year transfer. Helluva game/season for him. Those who stay...
March 22nd, 2014 at 11:52 PM ^
Last year at this time we were all concerned because he didn't even get garbage time against VCU to get his confidence back and we thought his confidence might have fallen apart with the missed tip against Indiana.
Of course, a week later, he was making zen decisions to not contest Nutpunch Johnson's last second attempt for Kansas because he knows angles and two weeks later he was taking the Otto killing charge and dunking home the semifinal game.
March 22nd, 2014 at 11:44 PM ^
Would love to see us just put away a team once in a while, but obviously I'm not complaining, great win.
Michigan beats a team by 14—leading virtually the entire game—yet you assert that we didn't "put them away."
That's complaining.
It's a shame Michigan has only 4 games left.. I like this team
I like his thinking!
March 23rd, 2014 at 12:01 PM ^
Both Texas and Wofford missed a ton of open looks because they can't shoot. And you can still crash the boards against us (obviously). We did move (barely) into the top 100 in Kenpom defensively though, so huzzah.
March 23rd, 2014 at 10:40 AM ^
March 23rd, 2014 at 11:48 AM ^
Where does KenPom have our defense ranked now? I imagine it's gone up after the last two games.
March 23rd, 2014 at 12:27 PM ^
When Michigan got up big...I focused on watching Walton Jr.. Kid hustles all the time and gets back to play defense. He is going to be very good next year.
on tv or available online?
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