Best Michigan Basketball Games of All Time
To be clear on the criteria, not Top 5 Michigan wins of all time, but overall games. You can go as far back as you want (I don’t remember shit before 89), and the general criteria is just overall badass-ness of the game along with aesthetic and historical significance.
1. Michigan v. Duke 1991 - There was something notably insidious about the realization of how good those kids were that really snuck up on you mid-way second half. The Rose to King alley-oop may be my favorite Michigan play off all time. That was truly college basketball’s golden years, at least on the court.
2. Michigan v. Kansas 2013 - What is most remarkable about this game somewhat is that Kansas was all they were cracked up to be. We trailed this entire game with a high lead of 14(!) for Kansas in the second half. In some ways, Burke’s shot was one of the most improbable game tying/winning shots I’ve ever seen. This game was a heart-attack from the tip.
3. Michigan v. Kentucky 1993 - “Oh I guess we make free throws now.” A sloppy second half to this season became a Picasso painting of immense beauty in a full force celebration of NBA talent. Webber and Mashburn were so good it was crazy, and Rose made it clear who the “actual coach” of that team was in a brilliant performance.
4. Michigan v. Louisville 2013 - I don’t want to talk about it.
5. Michigan v. Seton Hall 1989- There was a feeling of inevitability about this game. (Despite the heart-pounding ending). Michigan and Illinois were probably the best teams in the country and they had settled it two days earlier, but this was a great game and really deserved the Top 5 because it is the only time in my lifetime that we have “closed the deal.”
What are some of your favorites?
January 28th, 2019 at 3:22 PM ^
I was at Crisler when Trey picked Appling clean. The crowd noise was absolutely insane.
Things were looking bleak. It’s one of the most clutch plays ever made in that Gym.
January 28th, 2019 at 3:28 PM ^
Thank you for reminding me of that. Immediately went to youtube to relive. Fuck I've never heard Crisler like that before or since. Magical season that was.
January 28th, 2019 at 3:51 PM ^
Trey was so money that whole season. It was two steals And he slapped the frikn floor after the 1st one. That MSU slap crap can die a slow painful death
Turn up your volume
January 28th, 2019 at 4:19 PM ^
SEND IT IN!!
January 28th, 2019 at 3:29 PM ^
Both of last year's games vs Michigan State are pretty great.
And I was at the Garden last year for the B1G championship vs Purdue, pretty memorable (tried to not even watch any highlights because I want to remember it myself, esp Teske's dunk on Haas and co.!)
January 28th, 2019 at 3:31 PM ^
I couldn't think of any Amaker games. The win against Michigan State in 2010-2011 was truly amazing given the trajectory that followed. Zach Novak freakout was that one if I remember correctly.
January 28th, 2019 at 7:57 PM ^
First Amaker era game that comes to mind is January 8, 2003 vs. Wisconsin.
Michigan started that year 0-6, but had won seven in a row leading into their first Big Ten game. Michigan was down by about 13 points with 2:30 remaining, and had a crazy comeback that ended with a game-winning lay-up by Daniel Horton in the final seconds.
That team ran their win streak to 13, with the 13th being their first win over Michigan State since 1994.
January 28th, 2019 at 3:40 PM ^
1. 2013 vs Kansas
2. 1993 vs Kentucky
3. 2018 vs Houston
4. 1989 vs Seton Hall
5. 1989 vs Illinois
6. 1977 vs Marquette
every game beating MSU and OSU follows.
January 28th, 2019 at 4:12 PM ^
every game beating MSU and OSU follows.
But the Fab Five beating Ohio State in the Regional Final was on another level.
January 28th, 2019 at 11:17 PM ^
So true. I was at Rupp and the Fab Five’s enthusiasm and energy was amazing. That was back when we owned Ohio St in football and their existence was predicated on having the better basketball team. Nope. They were so shocked and pissed. Another case of losing twice during the regular season IIRC a la Illinois in ‘89 but winning when it counted.
January 29th, 2019 at 8:29 AM ^
Ohio state was real deal that year with Jim Jackson and Lawrence Funderburke. Was so impressed with how well we played. Near flawless. Really enjoyed this one at the time.
January 28th, 2019 at 3:41 PM ^
Michigan v. Clemson in the 2009 tourney.
First time back in the dance in years and we were expected to lose. Those kids gave it tons of heart.
January 28th, 2019 at 4:04 PM ^
1998 vs. IU. Handed Bob Knight his biggest loss and it was just pure bliss.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3VayQJDtdw
January 28th, 2019 at 4:10 PM ^
Michigan v. Duke 1989
Michigan V. North Carolina S16- Regional Semifinals...FINALLY! we beat those buzzards
Michigan v. Duke 2008- Second go-around...when I knew that Beilein was gonna be special
January 28th, 2019 at 4:16 PM ^
UM vs Illini ‘89 Final Four...Sean Higgins for the win!!
Edit: 2011 vs Staee Darius Morris tells Kalin Lucas get the fuck off the court!
January 28th, 2019 at 4:38 PM ^
This is more of an honorable mention under the radar one: 1979 over MSU and Magic Johnson, 49-48. Michigan was not good but they hung tight and at the end were down one. A freshman named Keith Smith drove to the basket as the clock ran out and got fouled by Magic with no time left on the clock. He sank both free throws for the win. There was a photo in the Daily of him jumping up fist pumping after making the second, with Magic standing in the background with his hands on his hips looking absolutely disgusted. Man that was sweet.
January 28th, 2019 at 4:47 PM ^
I'm 32 so too young to remember the Fab Five very well and then we sucked for ages after that. So I'd have to go with Beilein's 3 wins at MSU, plus the VCU, Kansas, and Florida games from the 2013 tournament run, plus the win over State at home in 2014, plus the win over State in the Big Ten Tournament last year, and both Big Ten Tournament title games that Beilein has won. Also the win at home over Duke in Beilein's second year. Among other great games from this era.
January 28th, 2019 at 5:06 PM ^
1974 NCAA Regional SemiFinal v #3 Notre Dame: M 77 ND 68
#3 ND with Digger Phelps was looking forward to a re-match with Marquette for a chance at a Final Four berth. He forgot about Michigan.
Campy (not Cazzie) Russell laid 36 on an Irish team that included John Shumate, Gary Brokaw, and Adrian Dantley. Shumate put up 34. If the 3pt shot was in effect, I think Russell would have put up 46 and Michigan would have won by 19.
Shumate ended up 1st All-American, with Bill Walton, Jamaal Wilkes, David Thompson, and the inimitable Marvin Barnes. Campy made the second team.
UM lost the regional final in a heart breaker to Marquette, 72-70, but watching Campy destroy the Irish was one of the highlights of my youth.
January 28th, 2019 at 5:53 PM ^
Great call!
January 28th, 2019 at 5:08 PM ^
1. M over undefeated Rutgers in 1976 FInal Four
2. M over Illinois 1989
3. M over Seton Hall
4. M over Kentucky 1993
5. IU over M on bad call at IU in 1976
January 28th, 2019 at 5:13 PM ^
1. Michigan v. Seton Hall
2. Michigan v. UNC (1989)
Finally got over the UNC hump in a high scoring shootout. Fisher doesn't get enough credit for his substitution pattern during the tournament. He substituted early and often which kept guys fresh for these shootouts. He outcoached a number of well known coaches in the tournament, none more famous than Dean Smith.
3. Michigan v. Kansas (2013)
4. Michigan v. Illinois (1989 - Final Four)
Illinois curb stomped us to close out the regular season, and we had no conference tournament yet to build momentum for the NCAAs. I still think if Frieder coached us, we would have slept walked through a first round upset loss to Xavier. Fisher once again beats a future HOF coach (Lou Henson)
5. Michigan v. UCLA (1993)
Came back from down 19 points and both regulation and overtime ended in crazy fashion. The most bizarre game I've ever watched. It was a typically entertaining game with the Fab Five.
January 28th, 2019 at 5:22 PM ^
1989, both Final Four games.
Illinos had crushed us twice in B10 play. Great game, loads of lead changes, dramatic finish (Higgins putback at the buzzer).
In the final, Michigan immediately went down 5 points in OT, then came back to win
January 28th, 2019 at 6:02 PM ^
Let me add another one Tues Feb 5, 2013 Mich 76 OSU 74 OT. We avenged our (first of the season) loss in Columbus in thrilling fashion needing every one of our 14 threes to do it. This game rivaled the 'Burke picked Appling clean' game as the loudest I have witnessed at Crisler.
January 28th, 2019 at 6:18 PM ^
January 28th, 2019 at 6:31 PM ^
Im going to throw out a totally unique pick. Deep in the heart of the 88-89 season a kid was listening to AM radio when he should be fast asleep. Michigan was at Iowa on a late Thursday night game. At the time I was in full basketball obsession. I didnt need the championship run to get me there, I was already there.
The big ten was so much fun. I actually liked players on Iowa -BJ Armstrong and Roy Marble. I really liked Illinois as well.
Anyway Michigan wins 108-107 at Hawkeye Arena. Amazing game that went unitl midnight if I remember correctly. Pretty sure T Mills hit the game winner.
January 28th, 2019 at 9:40 PM ^
Very cool memory!! AM radio, love it!!
January 28th, 2019 at 9:51 PM ^
That game is actually on YouTube, although it's a major bummer. Cuts out at the last 2 min of double OT!
January 29th, 2019 at 11:42 AM ^
Thank you Ill look it up. Cant believe its on you tube.
January 28th, 2019 at 9:10 PM ^
This wasn't a huge game by any stretch but beating IU by 48 points in 1998 was fun. Warner Wolf had a shtick for games that were so one-sided that even an absurd point spread would've meant you'd still lose, and for this game he said something like "if you bet Indiana and got 47 points you lost".
January 28th, 2019 at 9:36 PM ^
I'm too young to remember most of these, but 2013 Sweet Sixteen vs Kansas is the best Michigan game I've ever watched.
January 28th, 2019 at 10:05 PM ^
Michigan v Florida and Michigan v Syracuse in 2013 come to mind
January 28th, 2019 at 11:45 PM ^
This one is not a top 5 game, but it sticks out to me because it involved one of my favorite teams and we so thoroughly and surprisingly destroyed our opposition.
I am talking about the 2011 NCAA tournament victory over Tennessee. 8/9 seed games are supposed to be close. Instead, we won 75-45 and Stu Douglass provided the highlight moment when he dunked on a breakaway.
7 players scored at least 8 points in a true team victory. Novak went off from 3, messed around and had a double-double.
January 28th, 2019 at 11:52 PM ^
Beating #4 Duke on December 6, 2008 was awesome. Zack Novak hit back-to-back 3s and the fans rushed the floor. Last time we beat Duke too
January 29th, 2019 at 12:48 AM ^
After some down years, Michigan won the NIT in 1984 and the following year rode a 16-game winning streak to a one-seed in the NCAA Tournament. The fifth win of that streak marked Michigan’s re-emergence. On Sunday, January 27, 1985, Michigan hosted Kansas in front of a national television audience. Despite their #18 ranking, the Wolverines were 0-2 against ranked opponents and not many expected them to beat the 15th-ranked Jayhawks. Kansas was coached by Larry Brown and had its usual talent-laden roster including freshman Danny Manning. Current Maryland coach Mark Turgeon was a sophomore on that team. Michigan thrashed Kansas 96-77, putting on a fantastic show for the raucous home crowd. Both teams featured three future NBA players, and both went on to upset losses in the second-round of the tournament.
February 27th, 2020 at 11:53 AM ^
Looks great! I'm also a big fan of casino games but now I play only online, it is also very interesting. By the way if you want to find proven website to play I can recommend these for you https://wageringadvisors.co.uk/14red-casino-review/