Michigan 72, Ohio State 69
via bubbaprog
It was hilarious. Then it was gut-wrenching. Then it was hilarious again.
Michigan came out swinging against Ohio State, jumping out to a 32-16 lead with a shooting display reminiscent of the game at Illinois—the Wolverines shot 8-for-13 from beyond the arc in the first half. Where the Illini folded, however, the Buckeyes fought back, cutting the 16-point Michigan lead down to four by halftime.
Once again, the Wolverines landed early blows, hitting their first three attempts from downtown in the second half to extend the margin to 12. Once again, Ohio State recovered, this time clawing their way to the lead on an alley-oop slam by Sam Thompson with eight minutes to play.
Background image via Dustin Johnston/UMHoops
From there, the teams traded blows. Jordan Morgan tied the game by splitting a pair of free throws, then Caris LeVert hit a triple that Shannon Scott immediately answered. LeVert split free throws, LaQuinton Ross came back with a layup. A Nik Stauskas pullup jumper followed a Sam Thompson putback. With 2:55 left, two Glenn Robinson III free throws gave Michigan a one-point lead.
Until this point, Aaron Craft, saddled with four fouls, had spent much of the second half on the Ohio State bench. He re-entered the game and immediately picked up a questionable call on Jordan Morgan, the fourth on the Wolverines center. Craft missed both ensuing free throws, however, and Stauskas gave Michigan a three-point lead with a gorgeous up-and-under layup after Craft gambled for a steal.
After the bitter rivals traded misses, Ross brought the margin down to two with a free throw with 44 seconds left after Morgan fouled out. Thad Matta decided to have his team play defense instead of give a foul. That backfired when LeVert flew in from the corner to rebound a missed three from Stauskas as the shot clock expired, forcing OSU to foul Spike Albrecht with six seconds remaining.
Albrecht hit the first and missed the second. Despite having a foul to give, Michigan didn't stop Craft as he charged up the court. Craft rose for the potential tying triple, only to have the ball slip out of his hands. Angels sang, the internet let out a collective belly laugh, and somewhere a single tear fell from the eye of Dan Dakich.
Michigan, winners of their last three matchups with Ohio State, advances to tomorrow's Big Ten Tournament title game. The winner of Wisconsin/MSU awaits.
I will turn to this gif whenver I am feeling down in the future
according to gotlieb
When Craft missed those free throws was I the only one who screamed "Ball don't lie!" to no one in particular?
Dan Dakitch heard you
I do it too. LOOK WHAT DAKICH HAS DONE TO US!
It's more what 'Sheed did to me.
you were definitely not alone.
The Ball knows...when you're secretly a 27 year old in your 9th season of eligibility and should have already graduated (twice)
We need them!!
(lookin at you Ace)
I'd like to see the Gottlieb video and Clark Kellogg's response. Anyone?
Glenn showed great sportsmanship by hi-fiving craft after his "shot attempt." You just don't see that enough in the game anymore.
Watch the gif again to see the "high five".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxZbJXnhuw0
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/QxZbJXnhuw0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Is there any doubt this is karmic retribution for Evan Turner?
Thanks
Early & often, very untypical of his normal game this season. Hopefully these tight finishes will help prepare UM for the NCAA's even though the other team has had the Last look & came up short.
He shoots like a 5th grader. Unbelievable. My freshman shoots over his head because that is they way big boys shoot. Because his shot is so terrible, he brings it from his waist and releases at his head, Mr. Robinson was going to send it to outer space. I love Craft's defense, but his shot is a joke.
EDIT: I also wanted to add how much more of a joke it is that the ball is slippery!!!! Craft didn't lose it, he knew he was gonna get swatted and tried to change.
Up there in the pantheon of Tommy "WHOOPS" Rees fumblerooksi.
My first thought!
Is why the Graphics Interchange Format was invented.
When he left, UM was up 7 and when he returned, I think UM was down 1. From there, UM finished up 3. Not saying that it was his fault, but those numbers are pretty poor.
Kudos to CBS for analyzing the differences between Spalding and WIlson basketballs after the game. I knew Craft wouldn't just miss a three-pointer.
somewhere a single tear fell from the eye of Dan Dakich."
Nice.
Now on & up!
in sadness.
was flapping his arms trying to fly.
double post.
It's not even an air ball, it's like a palm ball or something. Or an oops ball. How perfect that was his last play against Michigan.
March 15th, 2014 at 10:32 PM ^
Does anyone have a gif of the dunk at the end of the game after the buzzer went off?
March 15th, 2014 at 10:51 PM ^
Good win but shakey. The announcers said it reminded them of the NCG v Louisville but I thought it was more like the Florida game except we don't play the same great defense we played last year to hold on to and extend leads. I love this team, they have been fighting all year. Now we get Staee at full strength I think. I'll make a gurantee IF we lose Beilien will have ZERO excuses. If we win I may pick M to go to the NCG again only because in bracket theory I always pick conference tourny winners to win it all. Might as well be Michigan, right?
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