Breaking Down The Final 2:30 (+ OT)

Submitted by Mr. Yost on

We're a couple hours or so out, I had to go back and watch that comeback. There's no way I'm sleeping before 2am tonight.

I went back to watch the comeback just for the sheer "awe," but I think there were a lot of small things that people may have missed. Thus, I wanted to start a thread so everyone could discuss.

2:25 - Glenn Robinson III gets a steal and a dunk to start the comeback. (64-72)

2:02 - Trey Burke forces a 10 second violation.

1:52 - Burke and McGary run a beautiful pick and roll. (66-72)

1:44 - Withey sets a backcourt pick on Burke, right into his back. NOTE: I don't know if everyone caught Burke grimacing later in the game, but this is where it started. He definitely reaggrevated that injury from the SDSU game. (Clearly it wouldn't bother him too much, but let's hope it doesn't stiffen up tonight)

1:33 - Burke tries to apply full court pressure again, but Johnson blows past him. The back is clearly limiting Burke. However, KU with the lead doesn't take advantage for the 5 on 4 and pulls the ball back out.

1:22 - Wow. Bad call on McGary. Releford goes to drive (and dunk) and McGary gets all ball. He did bump him with the body, but the refs hadn't been calling body fouls all game. It should have been a no call. (66-74)

1:13 - Burke with the stepback 3 on Withey. HALOL. (69-74) Michigan Timeout.

1:12 - Coach B is seen YELLING at GRIII to guard the inbounds pass. This is huge as KU never gets in rhythm on this possession. These are small coaching moves that win games like this. By the way, we also go with Morgan and LeVert for McGary and Stauskas. In the "OPEN Thread" I was pleading for this. It works as Michigan disrupts Kansas and then with :56 left Beilein says "no foul." Burke does a GREAT job of communicating with his teammates and passing along the order. GREAT job by Beilein on not fouling here, what a key coaching move.

:45 - Johnson drives to the shoulder on his right, passes to McLemore who drives. Again, many may have missed this but Morgan does a GREAT job, I mean GREAT job of rotating baseline and helping on the drive. To this point, Morgan has the underrated play of the game (GRIII will take that from him later). Morgan ALSO comes up with the HUGE rebound. Give the guy all the crap you want, but we don't win this game without Jordan Morgan right here. HUGE PLAY.

:28.9 - GRIII's hustle grab and reverse lay-up steals Morgan's shine as underrated play of the game. The only reason this is even underrated is because Burke's going to make a play that lives in NCAA infamy. (71-74) Michigan Timeout.

:21 - Michigan actually applies a REALLY good press and doesn't force the foul. KU responds and moves the ball and LeVert is forced to foul, however, he does so in a manner that is FAR from intentional.

:21 - Michigan subs McGary and Stauskas back in for offense. Johnson hits both free throws. (71-76)

:14 - Burke with the blow by! Not sure if he did it on purpose, but he makes the right move (obviously) of going for 2. Let's be honest, we've seen Burke take the HERO 3 in this situation a million times. The fact that he goes in for the easy lay-up again is a HUGE play that'll be overlooked because of what happens next (after what actually happens next). (73-76)

:12.6 - Burke fouls Johnson. Johnson missed the front end of the 1-1.

:4.2 - Burke becomes legend. Witness. (76-76)

:1.3 - Why is LeVert always on the end of the last second attempts? Clank. Overtime.

 

Michigan couldn't have played that last 2:30 any more perfectly. Sure they had a little help (Johnson randomly dribbling for 3 seconds and forgetting that the 10 second violation is actually a real thing), but they made plays. Beilein flat out outcoached Self in this 2:30. With the usage of the timeouts, with the yelling at GRIII to get on the inbounds passer, Beilein straight took it up a level.

 

Overtime (Key Plays)

4:01 - Burke continues legend. (79-78)

3:47 - Burke clearly in pain, holding his back after a Michigan foul, stretching.

3:25 - Burke with a mismatch on McLemore calls off any help from Stauskas.

3:21 - Burke continues legend, bang. (81-80) [.gifable moment Max B's chest bump]

2:30 - Just a note...we were actually down at this point in regulation and overtime. Says a lot.

1:03 - McGary with the rebound after the Burke miss. Puts it back, great play. (85-82)

:53.3 - Another HUGE steal by GRIII...KU has to foul and it looks more intentional than I think most people realize. Not flagrant, not even close, but intentional. [.gifed KU woman] (87-82)

:45 - KU's Johnson makes a huge 3 to keep them in the game. (87-85)

:08 - Should KU have been called for 6 men on the floor? Does the ball have to be in-bounds? Steve Kerr complains about the free timeout for KU...I originally thought they had a TO and called it, but no, he was correct.

:00 - KenPom is wrong, we win by 2. LeVert again is the one guarding the shooter. (87-85)

 

WHAT A WIN!!! GO BLUE!

gwkrlghl

March 30th, 2013 at 12:28 AM ^

I need to rewatch the game because I watched the last 10 or so minutes of the game assuming we were going to lose, obviously not realizing I was witnessing possibly the most signifcant comeback in the history of Michigan basketball. I was downright shocked when Trey hit that 3. Amazing game

gwkrlghl

March 30th, 2013 at 12:37 AM ^

How awesome is it that Elijah "Sacktapper" Johnson was the one who missed the front end of the 1-and-1 that gave us the opporunity to tie the game and thus win the game? The only sacktaps you'll be doing the rest of the year are back in Lawrence, Kansas

JohnnyV123

March 30th, 2013 at 12:31 AM ^

I sacrificed watching the end of this game with 5 minutes left because I am a terrible luck charm for the basketball team this year, yet I kept checking the score on ESPN incredulous at the change. I was like oh....well at least we made it close 5 points away.....holy shit does that say tied with 5 seconds left?!?! Just incredible.

Yinka Double Dare

March 30th, 2013 at 12:36 AM ^

Seth Davis retweeted a guy who suggested that during those video reviews the players have to stand in the middle of the court so it isn't a free timeout.  They really do need to do something about this, because this is two nights in a row where a team without a timeout got a free one to plan their last play.  Of course, neither Arizona nor Kansas converted, but still, it should be easy to fix for next year.

Mr. Yost

March 30th, 2013 at 12:45 AM ^

But he really didn'y force it if we're being honest. It was just a dumb play.

And don't hate me, because I love Morgan and I gave him plenty of props on the play that no one will ever remember (I'm telling you guys, that play to me was one of the biggest plays of the game).

Anyway, the kid had an angle for a layup and just kicked it out. My guess is that is what he was supposed to do. He never looks to score, he's passing the whole way. Morgan is in position, but not only Burke, but Spike Albrecht makes that layup or at least draws the foul.

Johnson avoids all contact, jumps out of bounds away from everyone and throws the ball back for the 3. HORRIBLE play.

That said, I'm glad it was him after his nuttap earlier in the game. Karma, bitch.

Mr. Yost

March 30th, 2013 at 8:51 AM ^

I can't go back and edit, but he was trying to force Hardaway off McLemore on the right side and do a dribble handoff.

THJ never helped off McLemore and Johnson had no where to go.

It was a dumb move by Johnson...but Self was stupid for drawing up a play with one option.

Props to Tim for his defense on that play!

Bando Calrissian

March 30th, 2013 at 12:40 AM ^

For me, the biggest turning point was the 10-second violation. For all the attention Burke gets on the offensive side of the ball, that may have been the biggest play he made all night. Just a gorgeous piece of defense.

JimBobTressel

March 30th, 2013 at 12:42 AM ^

Elijah Johnson literally had the most epic meltdown imaginable. Between the turnovers, the jacked shots, and not going for the tying layup (you're a damn senior, this is your legacy, you're going to end your KU career like that??), he was about as awful as Trey Burke was amazing.

 

vbnautilus

March 30th, 2013 at 3:05 AM ^

Gregg Doyel has an article making the case that Elijah Johnson is as much responsible as Trey Burke for Michigan's victory.  He comes down pretty hard on Johnson with the justification that he deserves it for the cock-punch: 

Look, I'm not big on singling out a college kid and pinning a loss, especially a loss as devastating as this one, on one guy. But Johnson singled himself out early in the game, slapped a bull's-eye onto his back by slapping McGary between the legs as he went by with 18:15 left in the first half.

 

http://www.cbssports.com/general/blog/gregg-doyel/21970888/two-heroes-f…

B-Nut-GoBlue

March 30th, 2013 at 12:47 AM ^

It's just been mentioned and I haven't seen the replays yet, but did Johnson have a decent look at the end that he instead threw out for a last second 3-ball and Win or was he about to have a bad angle/contested shot?  I know Morgan(?) was coming for help as Johnson drove to the hoop (easily it seemed) but again, after not seeing it more than once, couldn't quite tell if Johnson just wasn't going to get a good shot off at that point.

Mr. Yost

March 30th, 2013 at 12:50 AM ^

Morgan forces him wide, but he could've either used "high glass" like THJ uses earlier in the game. Or he could've jump stopped and went up for the easy layup...he likely gets fouled by Morgan in this scenario.

I literally have it paused right now and he's in FRONT of the basket, in the air, with a chance to score.

Instead, when I hit play he glides out of bounds and passes it. Thank God.

B-Nut-GoBlue

March 30th, 2013 at 12:59 AM ^

Good stuff, thanks.  That's what I had ingrained in my mind, that he had the look/shot.  I even askd my girlfriend a few minutes afterward, "Why the hell did that guy kick it out like that with two points basically there for the taking?".  But after thinking about it I knew he was somewhat drifting toward the baseline and knew Jordan was "sort of" approaching as help side, though I thought him to be a bit late, so I started thinking maybe he was almost forced to kick it as the angle for a shot depleted.

I need DVR.

ZooWolverine

March 30th, 2013 at 1:17 AM ^

I don't remember who it was, but a TV commentator just had an analysis that I think makes sense rewatching the video: that the drawn-up play was to drive on McLemore's side, and dish it to him when Michigan sags off him to assist. However, THJ stayed with McLemore and by the time he realizes that the plan won't work, Johnson is in the air looking to pass.

If the play is indeed drawn up to go for the win, I'm not surprised Johnson doesn't try to go for 2 if he doesn't realize that McLemore is covered (plus, I think comments are right that it was a harder shot than it originally appeared). That doesn't defend Johnson's play--he put himself in a situation where he has to pass, even though McLemore is covered, but at least it makes more sense.

ryanlove12

March 30th, 2013 at 12:48 AM ^

Epic joy and happiness. A room full of late twenties. Thirty and forty somethings high diving and jumping like little kids. Add to the list of great moments in the life of a Michigan fan

Mr. Yost

March 30th, 2013 at 12:52 AM ^

I'm going to have another drink, watch highlights on SportsCenter and fall asleep on the couch after this one. Why the couch? Just so I can wake up and watch this thing again. What a finish.

GO BLUE!

bighouseinmate

March 30th, 2013 at 12:52 AM ^

Easily Trey's 3 from San Antonio into Jerry's World, nothing but net.

Biggest hustle play? GRIII's scramble rebound and reverse putback with Withey nearly on top of him.

Biggest statement play? Everything MMFG did after Johnson's near sexual assault on him.

KBLOW

March 30th, 2013 at 1:13 AM ^

I just saw Self say in a post game intervierw (on TBS) that EJ was supposed to pass the ball to Mclemore.  But GRIII stayed on him (like he should have!) and didn't turn to help out at the basket.  EJ had no where to pass it but way back out.

Michigasling

March 30th, 2013 at 11:48 AM ^

"I just didn't like the [lack of] momentum," Johnson said about why he didn't shoot when the chance was seemingly there. "I definitely could have definitely shot the ball, but something told me that we probably could get a better shot. Everyone was sucked in and looking at me.

"Yeah, I could have shot the ball. I definitely could have shot the ball, but for some reason, I told myself we had a better option, so I looked for it."

Sports Illustrated: LINK

 

AlwaysBlue

March 30th, 2013 at 2:14 AM ^

I just watched that last play again.  Burke was beaten and ends up trailing the play, Morgan leaves Withey to pick up Johnson and LeVert gets in front of Withey towards the top of the key blocking him from a straight shot to the basket.  That left him scrambling to try to defend the last 3 attempt but had he not hung back to slow up Withey things could have ended much differently.

San Diego Mick

March 30th, 2013 at 2:54 AM ^

the fact that the refs didn't call a foul when the KU guy was running into and knocking down McGary on the epic 3 by Trey.

Great thread Mr. Yost, I will be keeping this game on the DVR and will watch the last few minutes with a huge smile on my face.

Go Blue!!!

and Florida, please press us and force an up-tempo game, pretty please

DK81

March 30th, 2013 at 3:50 AM ^

Also a very overlooked play of the game, I personally switched couches in an act of desperation superstition with about 4 minutes to go. Not saying it was bigger than trey's 3 but its up there.

Blue boy johnson

March 30th, 2013 at 10:04 AM ^

One interesting adjustment Bill Self made in OT, was playing a sorta two man zone with Young and Withey in an attempt to keep Withey around the basket.

When McGary went to the high post in OT, Young would guard McGary, while Withey would hang out down low and keep an eye on GRIII in the corner. If GRIII moved out to the perimeter, Young and Withey would switch, and Withey would stay in the paint with McGary. Strategy didn't work, and McGary continued to be a royal pain in the ass for Kansas

EDIT: Kevin Young not Elijah Johnson playing 2 man zone with Withey in OT

Der Alte

March 30th, 2013 at 6:39 AM ^

"Great players step up in big games." Watching Trey Burke last night evoked memories of Charles Woodson vs Ohio in 1997 --- one of the greatest games ever played in Michigan Stadium and the game that clinched the Heisman for Charles.

If last night does't clinch POY for Trey, the people who vote for that award weren't watching.