How Sweet It Is!
Thanks to a St. Patrick’s Day celebration and a Sunday evening spent in the casino, the Wolverines trip to the Sweet 16 and corresponding post is being posted on Monday. Sorry - sometimes life just gets in the way.
Besides, everybody already knows what happened. After missing a few easy buckets which could have tied or led the game, Michigan was at the mercy of Houston and their free-throw shooting. After missing their last two free-throws of the game, Michigan took a timeout with 3.6 seconds left in the game. Michigan would have to go the length of the court. A layup would tie and a 3-ball would win.
Interestingly, Houston coach Kelvin Sampson (yes, that Kelvin Sampson) decided not to guard the in-bounds pass. This left Isaiah Livers with a clear view of the floor. Livers located Muhammad Ali Abdur-Rahkman who was immediately double-teamed. The senior, with the foresight to know that he had more time and failed to panic, got the ball into the hands of Jordan Poole who launched a 3-pointer that found the bottom of the net with no time remaining. Even more impressive is the fact that Poole was fouled on the shot and, had it not gone in, would not have received the three free-throws.
Hysteria ensued - it was March Madness personified.
Michigan’s road to the Final Four continues on Thursday in Los Angeles against Texas A&M who throttled North Carolina on Sunday. Tip-off is 7:37PM EST from Hollywood. The Aggies have had a very scattered season - beating teams like UNC and Kentucky, but losing to teams like Mississippi State.
Mo Wagner has still not found his rhythm during this tournament, and if he is able to do so this week, Michigan should be able to get by A&M and into the Elite 8. Not bad for a team who was projected to finish in the middle of the Big Ten before the season began. Now they are heading to the second consecutive Sweet 16.
And to think that it was just a few short years ago that Michigan “fans” were calling for John Beilein to be fired. Every year, Michigan seems to find a way to surprise the “analysts” and prove that they are one of the top programs in the conference. It is a testament to the coaching staff and chip on the shoulder players who come to Ann Arbor.
Besides, everybody already knows what happened. After missing a few easy buckets which could have tied or led the game, Michigan was at the mercy of Houston and their free-throw shooting. After missing their last two free-throws of the game, Michigan took a timeout with 3.6 seconds left in the game. Michigan would have to go the length of the court. A layup would tie and a 3-ball would win.
Interestingly, Houston coach Kelvin Sampson (yes, that Kelvin Sampson) decided not to guard the in-bounds pass. This left Isaiah Livers with a clear view of the floor. Livers located Muhammad Ali Abdur-Rahkman who was immediately double-teamed. The senior, with the foresight to know that he had more time and failed to panic, got the ball into the hands of Jordan Poole who launched a 3-pointer that found the bottom of the net with no time remaining. Even more impressive is the fact that Poole was fouled on the shot and, had it not gone in, would not have received the three free-throws.
Hysteria ensued - it was March Madness personified.
Michigan’s road to the Final Four continues on Thursday in Los Angeles against Texas A&M who throttled North Carolina on Sunday. Tip-off is 7:37PM EST from Hollywood. The Aggies have had a very scattered season - beating teams like UNC and Kentucky, but losing to teams like Mississippi State.
Mo Wagner has still not found his rhythm during this tournament, and if he is able to do so this week, Michigan should be able to get by A&M and into the Elite 8. Not bad for a team who was projected to finish in the middle of the Big Ten before the season began. Now they are heading to the second consecutive Sweet 16.
And to think that it was just a few short years ago that Michigan “fans” were calling for John Beilein to be fired. Every year, Michigan seems to find a way to surprise the “analysts” and prove that they are one of the top programs in the conference. It is a testament to the coaching staff and chip on the shoulder players who come to Ann Arbor.
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