Kentucky 75, Michigan 72
Postgame locker room, via @umichbball
67 of the 68 teams that make the NCAA Tournament have their seasons end in heartbreak. For the second straight year, Michigan came excruciatingly close to being that lone exception, only to lose in a classic game.
Even though it's exceedingly likely your team will be one of the unfortunate 67, it's impossible to prepare for a moment like this. We got to bask in the glory of the Tennessee win for, oh, half an hour before fretting about the next opponent. From the moment Kentucky emerged over Louisville, we've spent our time worrying about that matchup.
From the moment of tipoff this afternoon, two of the most talented teams in the country played an incredible back-and-forth affair. And until Nik Stauskas's prayer thudded harmlessly against the backboard, we held out hope. Then it hits, the realization that this amazing run is done—and another shot at that elusive, ultimate banner has gone with it. It's like having your breath return after holding it for two days, only for the first inhale to precede a deep sigh, or perhaps a body-shaking sob.
For Jordan Morgan, there are no more shots. He'll be fine when the shock wears off—Michigan engineering grads tend to do okay after college—but in the interim, I ache for him. To a lesser extent, that goes to the rest of the players and the coaching staff, but I wasn't ready to see Morgan's pundit-defying career end.
I've got no more to offer in the way of words or feelings; after three weeks on tilt, I'm completely spent. Thank you, Kentucky, for giving us a whale of a game. Thank you, Michigan, for being a source of joy all season, again. Thank you, Jordan Morgan, for everything.
He's a guy without ridiculous athleticism projected in the lottery. He probably can't do better.
It's a safe decision. If he leaves, then people can just say that they saw it coming. If he stays, well MUCH HAPPINESS AND FRIENDSHIP.
His dad hinted at it earlier during the season. Said he can achieve his goal of playing professionally if he kept up his level up play for a few more months. He kept up and possibly surpassed said level of play. He is probably looking forward to playing in a league with more offensive freedom. He and Trey both put in similar amounts of work with similar results. Great representatives of the program and the game.
It's hard not to be sad at a moment like this. But that's the nature of college basketball. One unusally superior shooting night by your opponent and/or some questionable calls and you're done for the year. But that's just dumb luck and it doesn't tarnish what these guys have accomplished. Stauskas, Morgan and anybody else who leaves will be sorely missed. But they've given us incredible memories and two fantastic runs at a championship. They've rebuilt an elite program that will remain at the top for years to come.
It was fitting that their last bucket was a supreme team effort with several amazing rebounds before tying the game on a Morgan tipin. Just amazing heart and toughness.
March 30th, 2014 at 11:24 PM ^
Thanks for all your great work covering this season. I've had a few personal and professional challenges this past year, and watching and reading about this team really helped some. It probably shouldn't because it's just a game and all that, but it did.
And somebody please start making "WWJMOD" wristbands, because I would totally buy like a dozen of those.
Might not have had a crazy stats game tonight, but god damn did he earn my respect. Dude fought all night making plays, throwing his body around like there was nothing left. Hats off to you my friend. Big Ten Championship, Big Ten POY - Elite 8. If anyone can tell me after losing McGary and after we lost to Charlotte that you would've turned that down, you're more of a dreamer than I. Congrats to this team on a great season.
Looking forward to him and a greatly improved and more aggressive Walton next year also. Irvin looks to be in a great place confidence-wise. If Mitch returns, they should be contenders. If not maybe Donnal can step up.
Fuck you, refs, for the abomination you visited upon us. We darn near overcame it anyway. Great respect for this team.
March 30th, 2014 at 10:06 PM ^
Kentuky lowered their shoulders and barrelled their way into the lane all game and the final count on charge calls was
Michigan 1
Kentucky 0
Which is a big pile of bullsh*t. The refs let them plow in recklessly all game
March 30th, 2014 at 11:38 PM ^
I'm not one to bitch, but, I'm going to right here. It's ridiculous that it took me 50 posts to find a "fuck you refs" comment. The refs have been fucking teams left and right in this tournament, and we're just another casualty.
It got comical at some points the nonsense they were calling on Michigan. The fouls we were getting penalized for apparently didn't translate on the other side of the court. As others have mentioned, you have folks on Kentucky dropping the shoulder and smashing dudes. On top of it, I don't know how many times I thought to myself - and even the other people I was watching with (who are all other B1G school fans) said "hey, that's a travel." It's horseshit that nuances like that don't get called.
Kentucky deserves to lose. They're an undisiciplined, sloppy team and hopefully the refs will let it catch up to them.
Fuck Calipari, fuck Kentucky. Assholes.
Number 1 offense now on Kenpom after this game.
The worst part is that this game won't even exist in the record books in a couple of years when the NCAA strips UK of all their wins thanks to Calipari.
here is 100% correct! Great season considering how the personnel issues played out. Nobody on the team cried about losing guys to the NBA or about McGary and his fickle back issue. Guys on the team obviously got superior coaching, and executed the game plan the way of a professional - KUDOS to both the staff and the players.
It is great to have both football and basketball season to look forward to now - great people at a great university - GO BLUE
just hits the damn shot. True freshman lining up a 22-footer with a hand in his mug? I'll take my chances on that shot in that situation every time.
Congratulations to the Big Ten Champions on a helluva great season. Love, love this team.
I couldn't believe they didn't drive it and get the ball on the rim; either it goes in, or they likely get the rebound and potential put-back for the win. I was smiling inside when that ball left his hands... cursing when it went through the nylon.
Still, very proud of the team. Only wish Morgan could have spent more of his final game on the court and not on the bench.
If you told me before the possession that we would force Kentucky into a deep 3 with a hand in their face for that final shot, I would take my chances on that every time.
Will put in snowflake thread as well, but, at least from what I can tell on the data on his site, Michigan's offense this year was the highest/most efficient in the history of Kenpom.
March 31st, 2014 at 10:28 AM ^
Obviously, it's crushing to lose in any way, but man was that game intense. As much as I'm worried about losing a few guys to the draft, right now I'm extremely proud of what the team has done. Most of all, really proud to see Morgan emerge as a strong leader of the team. Go Blue! Can't wait for next season!
Between the officiating, announcers, studio analysts, endless commercials, and final result, that was one of the most painful things I have ever watched. Only this Michigan team could make it all worth it. Go Blue!!
March 30th, 2014 at 10:03 PM ^
Michigan IMG sports network...sure a 2 second advantage over the video, but saves listening to pablum...
I'm currently in a very depressive post-loss mood...this game could've been ours with a few more defensive rebounds. But when I take a second and think a little deeper, what an enjoyable ride it's been this season. Never in my wildest dreams did I think 15-3 in the B1G was possible after starting 6-4 and losing Mitch. This team came together like no other, and they could beat anyone in the nation on any given night. Kentucky outmuscled us today, and J Mo's foul troubles certainly played a role in the manhandling, but I'm still proud of the guys today. They fought like hell.
Said it in the appreciation thread, but I'll let the guy say it for himself.
It's not some kind of eastern thing. It's a Midwest Regional Final thing.
So proud of this team! Sad to see this run end. I really enjoyed watching this team play and am going to miss that more than anything. Proud to be a Michigan Wolverine!
I don't have to spend one more second watching the hell that is NCAA basketball with the worst announcers and the worst refs. Jeebus I'm so glad to not have to watch those morons lower shoulders and drive on in like a running back and even more glad that I don't have to listen to Greg Anthony and Charles (who knows of what he speaks when he says turrible) Barkley!
I'm out and will enjoy some baseball this weekend!
I am definitely hurting right now, and the finality of the last game of a long season always comes as somewhat of a shock, but damn am I proud of this team. I am always going to root for Michigan and be happy when they succeed, but it makes it that much more special when the guys work so well together, play so hard, are so likeable and represent the program so well, and this group does that like no other. As has been mentioned before, if someone approached me after the Charlotte loss and said, "You're going to lose McGary for the season but I'll bet you $100 that you'll be tied with 20 minutes separating you from a return to the Final Four." I would have taken that bet and assumed that person was a complete fool. I would have been so happy to lose that bet, and who knew the ride to this unlikely point would be such a joy? As a Knicks fan, I remember the frustration of all those 90s teams that just couldn't get over the hump. I look at the state of the Knicks now and long for the Ewing era. You never know when the good times will end, so I've learned to appreciate those times in the moment, even when there is heartbreak mixed in. This is a special era for Michigan Hoops with a special group of players, and I won't let this loss ruin the warm and fuzzies I feel for them. Go Blue!
Alexander and Jordan were saying excellent things about this a couple weeks ago. Jordan talking about how the Butler opening was a unique opportunity and he's not super interested and leaving, while Alexander said he wanted to be a head coach by the time he was 40, but lately he's been thinking about being the Greg Mattison to Jordan's Hoke assuming LaVall got the job when Beilein retires.
Should ALL stay. First..I dont really think they are ready...Why spend the next few years on the bench when you can be the Stars of College BB next year..Second..we NEED THEM. Michigan is building a Elite program. Belien has done a Incredible job to get Michigan back to this point and we need these 3 to kick it up a notch and claim a NC next year. If all 3 come back we will be by far the Preseaon #1 team and could Win the NC.....
Unfortunately in this day and age its all about the money..( See Kentucky and there one and done NBA team).ruining college basketball.
Wouldnt it be great for just ONE time the players decide to come back for MICHIGAN! Do it for Coach Belien!
The Team...The Team...The Team!
Thank you Wolverines for a INCREDIBLE ride this year!!!! BIG TEN CHAMPS! Elite 8!
GO BLUE
as a fringe lottery pick. That'll be the highest he'll go and he needs to leave when his stock is at its highest. He doesn't have that eye popping athleticism. If he comes back, NBA scouts will nitpick his game and lower his draft stock. There's a risk of getting hurt (McGary) or production goes down (GRIII).
He's as good as gone.
Insightful. *Sigh*
March 30th, 2014 at 10:20 PM ^
Hard to replace a shooter like like Stauskas, though. I mean, I know they're out there, and there are other guys on the team who can hit a long jumper, but with Stauskas, you had a little more confidence that he'd make it.
March 30th, 2014 at 10:59 PM ^
his name is Zack Irvin.
What a joy to watch. Very grateful for all the hard work and commitment from the whole program, coaches, players, staff and all. Great great great representatives of Michigan. Thank you!
God, I just noticed J-Mo with his head down behind Biefeldt's head. Crushed all over again.
Well said, Ace. Great game, came down to the last shot. Thanks Michigan bball for a great season.
I watched the post game press conference and I have to say the coach and players really handled themselves in a classy way. They had nothing but high praise for Kentucky and their own team. Coach even praised the officials. At no time was there any complaining about being tired or playing bad. That stands in stark contrast to the interviews that I have seen with the coach of another big ten team that lost today.
I thought the same thing. Beilein is nothing but class and the entire basketball world knows it.
It's only a matter of time before Beilein's reputation gives him the benefit of the doubt with Refs like Krzyzewski gets with Duke.
that Coach K is as classy as Beilein are you? Mike arguably rides the refs harder than any other coach in America--including Izzo and Ryan--and with most colorful language.
March 30th, 2014 at 10:28 PM ^
I logged on to post the exact same thought. Izzo said he didn't want to take anything away from his opponent. Beilein -- and the team -- actually didn't take anything away from them. In fact, Coach Beilein even said he thought it was well-officiated, which is nuts but very classy. It's not the fault of Kentucky's players, fans, or coaches that the officials called the game the way they did, and I appreciated the fact that Michigan's coach would express such sportsmanship immediately after what must have been an infuriating loss.
What a team! I'm already looking forward to 2014-2015. Go Blue!
The officiating was very inconsistent to say the least. I find it ironic that Michigan lost by three and the refs probably cost them three points. Two came on an obvious missed goal tend put back in the first half by Kentucky that should have been waved off and the other came on what appeared to be a three by LeVert that was called a two in the second half, reviewed and still called a two even though my wife (Kentucky fan) and I both saw court between his toe and the black three point line. Maybe I'll be proven wrong on the three. It was also inconsistently called from the stand point of what was or wasn't a foul as well.
That being said, I don't blame the refs and I bet Belein doesn't either. I always tell the kids that I coach that we can only control our own play and nothing else. We never blame the refs because there are always a number of plays that could have executed better or called better from a coaching stand point that would have made a difference. Beilein is a great role model.
I also found it ironic that Michigan tied it late by crashing the glass and getting three offensive rebounds and a put back and lost on a deep heavily contested three by a terrible three point shooting team.
Comments