For the third straight season, something only three other programs in the nation can say, Michigan will make their way into the Sweet Sixteen. Running through Des Moines was little issue, especially once the Wolverines found their defense against Florida, and they will make their way to Anaheim -- yes, California, yet again -- for their defense of the regional crown. This will serve as your refresher to the weekend that was, and a look ahead at the weekend to come.
First Round -- Montana:
No player for Michigan made more than one three. As a team, Michigan made just five threes. And yes, Michigan won by nearly twenty with a final score of 74-55. Montana was held to just six points in the first ten minutes, including two a four-minute drought without any points. The Grizzlies could not seem to buy a bucket, and that included dunks. Bobby Moorehead made a steal but was blocked by the rim in open court. Ahmaad Rorie finally scored at the 6:10 mark, but by then Michigan already had things well in hand. Through dunks and lay-ups, the majority of them coming off of easy finds from Zavier Simpson, Michigan would take a 34-21 lead into the half. Eight of Michigan's thirteen makes in the half were assisted and of the five that weren't, one was a breakaway dunk from Ignas Brazdeikis, and one was off an offensive rebound by Charles Matthews. After five quick Montana points to open the second half, normal service was resumed. Michigan would be up eighteen before Montana could even score again. A Jordan Poole and-one lay-up with 8:29 to play pushed to lead to twenty for the first time in the game at 57-37, and it would stretch to 66-39 before Michigan would ultimately, eventually, ease up. Brandon Johns had the last bucket of the game for Michigan and the Wolverines would see the game out.
This was a game anchored heavily by defense for Michigan. Rorie was held to three-for-thirteen shooting with just ten points. He was zero-for-three on the night from three as well, and it serves to show Zavier Simpson's defensive impact yet again. Simpson at times even looked bored at the competition of the game, but he still finished with ten assists and seven rebounds. Offensively, though, the night belonged to Charles Matthews. Last season, Matthews dominated Montana with twenty points on thirteen shots. This year, Matthews outdid himself. The wing went eight-for-twelve with 22 points and ten rebounds and seemed to be able to get makes at will. Whether it was rising up on the baseline off an inbound pass saying "all day" as the ball was flying through the air or driving to the rim and finishing with a lay-in, Matthews carved through the Montana defense masterfully. Michigan's other three starters all also finished with double-digit point totals: Brazdeikis had fourteen with seven rebounds, Jon Teske went five-for-eight with eleven points and nine rebounds, and Jordan Poole, despite just four shots, ended up with ten points. Isaiah Livers ended up with eight points as well despite a scuffling night from the field, going two-for-seven. Regardless, the key was a well-balanced attack. Eli Brooks offered solid minutes off the bench, Michigan's starters all did their jobs, and the defense locked up any potential threats that Montana could theoretically offer.
Second Round -- Florida:
Following up their first round victory, Michigan would get a showdown with the ten seed Florida Gators, fresh off a solid victory over Nevada. It was threes and dunks early for Michigan, a Jordan Poole three-and-one putting an exclamation point on a 12-6 run in favor of Michigan. Florida, though, came prepared to shoot, and shoot they did. Through the first ten minutes, just two of Florida's seventeen points came from inside. They were only down 20-17, and early hot shooting pushed them back right behind Michigan before the game could get too out of hand. Florida took their first lead after being up 6-5 thanks to Kevarrius Hayes down low to make it 23-21 to their favor. Michigan could counter, though, and an Isaiah Livers three meant they would get the last laugh before the half, and go into the half up 32-28. Coming out of the half, Michigan blitzed Florida quickly with a three from Ignas Brazdeikis, an easy lay-up for Jon Teske, and then a finish-and-foul for Poole to force a timeout from Mike White before things could get out of hand. Poole hit another three for Michigan to push it to a fifteen-point lead, but Florida would indeed have a counter-punch. They would go on a 9-0 run and cut the lead to 43-37 and force a timeout, this time from John Beilein. Out of the timeout Poole drew a foul on a three and hit all three free throws, but Florida would not go away that easily. They would hang around, trading baskets. KeVaughn Allen, the Gators' leading scorer, hit his first three and second field goal of the game to make it 51-44 with about seven-and-a-half to play, and we seemed set for a fast-paced finish despite the defensive struggle. Instead, Michigan hit out with a 6-0 run, capped by a dime of a pass from Simpson, from beyond half-court, to the streaking Livers who dunked it with authority and made the game 57-44. Jordan Poole would bury the dagger with another three, Charles Matthews would bring the crowd to its feet with another dunk, and Michigan would see out the game with a score of 64-49.
Talk of recent Michigan basketball discussion has naturally centered around Jordan Poole. Since, and including, the first meeting of Michigan and Michigan State, where he received heavy criticism for his shot selection, he was shooting 30.8% from three in what was an eight-game span. Against Florida, despite not the most efficient night, and only going one-for-six from two, Poole had his shooting stroke. He went four-for-nine from three with plenty of good looks on the night, finishing with nineteen points. With Poole playing with confidence and renewed positive energy, that is key to this Michigan team if they are going to make another run to the championship game. Only one other Wolverine finished in double-figures, Isaiah Livers with ten points on four-for-eight shooting, but Zavier Simpson was once again the man behind the offense. He finished with nine points, nine rebounds, and nine assists, bringing his total to nineteen assists over the first two games of the tournament. As he goes, so too does Michigan. His improved as a player, especially as an offensive threat, has been remarkable, and the hope will be as a senior he can make one more further step as a player. Charles Matthews had just nine points after his big night against Montana, but as long as he continues to contribute defensively, that is key. KeVaughn Allen, the lone Florida Gator that averages in double-figure scoring per game, was held to eight points on seven shots, and he did not hit a shot in the whole first half. Matthews was suffocating and has become a lockdown defender. His length, defense, and athleticism make him a serious next level candidate, and if he can develop a further three-point shot he could be a steal for a team in the early-second round. On the night for Florida, they had just one double-figure scorer of their own, Jalen Hudson. Hudson started the night off hot, but eventually sank to three-for-ten shooting from three, four-for-fifteen overall from the field, and only eleven points. Another ineffective shooting night came from Noah Locke, who went three-for-eleven and two-for-seven from three, but finished with just eight points. Florida hit nine threes on the night, which is a clip only Michigan State, Purdue, and, interestingly, Chattanooga, have hit this season. The fact that they still suffered a double-digit defeat like the latter two teams on the list says something about the defense as a whole.
What's To Come -- The Sweet Sixteen (and Beyond?):
Michigan found out their opponent on Sunday evening. The Texas Tech Red Raiders, joint-owners of the top defense in the nation along with the Wolverines prior to their Round of 32, beat Buffalo by twenty points and had full control of the game the entire way. The West Region has been fully 'chalked' with Gonzaga and Florida State in a rematch of last year's Sweet Sixteen. Incredibly enough, three of four teams in this year's West Region Sweet Sixteen were in last season's. Michigan could take on Florida State in what would be a remarkably similar fashion to get to the Final Four. With Montana in the first round, a Sweet Sixteen against a team with Texas, then the potential of Florida State in the Elite Eight, Michigan will surely be hoping that lightning can strike twice in the state of California. Michigan may not have had the great games like Duke/UCF, but they have been consistent and we should be set for a heck of a defensive battle.
Follow me on Twitter @RMAB_Ryan for plenty more Michigan basketball coverage, as well as AFC Ann Arbor and Liverpool FC coverage as well!
First Round -- Montana:
No player for Michigan made more than one three. As a team, Michigan made just five threes. And yes, Michigan won by nearly twenty with a final score of 74-55. Montana was held to just six points in the first ten minutes, including two a four-minute drought without any points. The Grizzlies could not seem to buy a bucket, and that included dunks. Bobby Moorehead made a steal but was blocked by the rim in open court. Ahmaad Rorie finally scored at the 6:10 mark, but by then Michigan already had things well in hand. Through dunks and lay-ups, the majority of them coming off of easy finds from Zavier Simpson, Michigan would take a 34-21 lead into the half. Eight of Michigan's thirteen makes in the half were assisted and of the five that weren't, one was a breakaway dunk from Ignas Brazdeikis, and one was off an offensive rebound by Charles Matthews. After five quick Montana points to open the second half, normal service was resumed. Michigan would be up eighteen before Montana could even score again. A Jordan Poole and-one lay-up with 8:29 to play pushed to lead to twenty for the first time in the game at 57-37, and it would stretch to 66-39 before Michigan would ultimately, eventually, ease up. Brandon Johns had the last bucket of the game for Michigan and the Wolverines would see the game out.
This was a game anchored heavily by defense for Michigan. Rorie was held to three-for-thirteen shooting with just ten points. He was zero-for-three on the night from three as well, and it serves to show Zavier Simpson's defensive impact yet again. Simpson at times even looked bored at the competition of the game, but he still finished with ten assists and seven rebounds. Offensively, though, the night belonged to Charles Matthews. Last season, Matthews dominated Montana with twenty points on thirteen shots. This year, Matthews outdid himself. The wing went eight-for-twelve with 22 points and ten rebounds and seemed to be able to get makes at will. Whether it was rising up on the baseline off an inbound pass saying "all day" as the ball was flying through the air or driving to the rim and finishing with a lay-in, Matthews carved through the Montana defense masterfully. Michigan's other three starters all also finished with double-digit point totals: Brazdeikis had fourteen with seven rebounds, Jon Teske went five-for-eight with eleven points and nine rebounds, and Jordan Poole, despite just four shots, ended up with ten points. Isaiah Livers ended up with eight points as well despite a scuffling night from the field, going two-for-seven. Regardless, the key was a well-balanced attack. Eli Brooks offered solid minutes off the bench, Michigan's starters all did their jobs, and the defense locked up any potential threats that Montana could theoretically offer.
Second Round -- Florida:
Following up their first round victory, Michigan would get a showdown with the ten seed Florida Gators, fresh off a solid victory over Nevada. It was threes and dunks early for Michigan, a Jordan Poole three-and-one putting an exclamation point on a 12-6 run in favor of Michigan. Florida, though, came prepared to shoot, and shoot they did. Through the first ten minutes, just two of Florida's seventeen points came from inside. They were only down 20-17, and early hot shooting pushed them back right behind Michigan before the game could get too out of hand. Florida took their first lead after being up 6-5 thanks to Kevarrius Hayes down low to make it 23-21 to their favor. Michigan could counter, though, and an Isaiah Livers three meant they would get the last laugh before the half, and go into the half up 32-28. Coming out of the half, Michigan blitzed Florida quickly with a three from Ignas Brazdeikis, an easy lay-up for Jon Teske, and then a finish-and-foul for Poole to force a timeout from Mike White before things could get out of hand. Poole hit another three for Michigan to push it to a fifteen-point lead, but Florida would indeed have a counter-punch. They would go on a 9-0 run and cut the lead to 43-37 and force a timeout, this time from John Beilein. Out of the timeout Poole drew a foul on a three and hit all three free throws, but Florida would not go away that easily. They would hang around, trading baskets. KeVaughn Allen, the Gators' leading scorer, hit his first three and second field goal of the game to make it 51-44 with about seven-and-a-half to play, and we seemed set for a fast-paced finish despite the defensive struggle. Instead, Michigan hit out with a 6-0 run, capped by a dime of a pass from Simpson, from beyond half-court, to the streaking Livers who dunked it with authority and made the game 57-44. Jordan Poole would bury the dagger with another three, Charles Matthews would bring the crowd to its feet with another dunk, and Michigan would see out the game with a score of 64-49.
Talk of recent Michigan basketball discussion has naturally centered around Jordan Poole. Since, and including, the first meeting of Michigan and Michigan State, where he received heavy criticism for his shot selection, he was shooting 30.8% from three in what was an eight-game span. Against Florida, despite not the most efficient night, and only going one-for-six from two, Poole had his shooting stroke. He went four-for-nine from three with plenty of good looks on the night, finishing with nineteen points. With Poole playing with confidence and renewed positive energy, that is key to this Michigan team if they are going to make another run to the championship game. Only one other Wolverine finished in double-figures, Isaiah Livers with ten points on four-for-eight shooting, but Zavier Simpson was once again the man behind the offense. He finished with nine points, nine rebounds, and nine assists, bringing his total to nineteen assists over the first two games of the tournament. As he goes, so too does Michigan. His improved as a player, especially as an offensive threat, has been remarkable, and the hope will be as a senior he can make one more further step as a player. Charles Matthews had just nine points after his big night against Montana, but as long as he continues to contribute defensively, that is key. KeVaughn Allen, the lone Florida Gator that averages in double-figure scoring per game, was held to eight points on seven shots, and he did not hit a shot in the whole first half. Matthews was suffocating and has become a lockdown defender. His length, defense, and athleticism make him a serious next level candidate, and if he can develop a further three-point shot he could be a steal for a team in the early-second round. On the night for Florida, they had just one double-figure scorer of their own, Jalen Hudson. Hudson started the night off hot, but eventually sank to three-for-ten shooting from three, four-for-fifteen overall from the field, and only eleven points. Another ineffective shooting night came from Noah Locke, who went three-for-eleven and two-for-seven from three, but finished with just eight points. Florida hit nine threes on the night, which is a clip only Michigan State, Purdue, and, interestingly, Chattanooga, have hit this season. The fact that they still suffered a double-digit defeat like the latter two teams on the list says something about the defense as a whole.
What's To Come -- The Sweet Sixteen (and Beyond?):
Michigan found out their opponent on Sunday evening. The Texas Tech Red Raiders, joint-owners of the top defense in the nation along with the Wolverines prior to their Round of 32, beat Buffalo by twenty points and had full control of the game the entire way. The West Region has been fully 'chalked' with Gonzaga and Florida State in a rematch of last year's Sweet Sixteen. Incredibly enough, three of four teams in this year's West Region Sweet Sixteen were in last season's. Michigan could take on Florida State in what would be a remarkably similar fashion to get to the Final Four. With Montana in the first round, a Sweet Sixteen against a team with Texas, then the potential of Florida State in the Elite Eight, Michigan will surely be hoping that lightning can strike twice in the state of California. Michigan may not have had the great games like Duke/UCF, but they have been consistent and we should be set for a heck of a defensive battle.
Follow me on Twitter @RMAB_Ryan for plenty more Michigan basketball coverage, as well as AFC Ann Arbor and Liverpool FC coverage as well!
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