The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/122487
michigan basketball Michigan Basketball Rewind: Season Wrapup Record: 31-8 National Ranking: No. 6 Associated Press poll (post Big Ten Tournament) and No. 2 USA Today coaches poll (post NCAA Tournament) Best Win — 87-85 in overtime against Kansas: Michigan made its nice run to the Sweet 16, and gave no hint it would go further when it ran into No. 1 seed Kansas. With less than seven minutes remaining, the Wolverines trailed by 14, 6854, appearing ready to bow out of the NCAA Tournament's second weekend with a number of other good-not-great entrants. Everything turned around down the stretch, especially in the final three minutes of regulation. When sophomore guard Trey Burke went bombs-away with a 30foot three-pointer with just four seconds remaining, a riveted college basketball world watched as a seemingly foregone conclusion rolled into overtime. U-M then clawed past the Jayhawks in overtime, getting another three by Burke (23 points and 10 assists) and a three-point play by freshman Mitch McGary (25 points and 14 rebounds) to complete the unthinkable comeback. That game propelled Michigan to a rout of Florida and the biggest stage of all — the Final Four. Worst Loss — 82-76 to Louisville: There were some misery-injectors along the way for the Wolverines. They were pummeled the first time around in East Lansing, dropped a head-scratcher on the road at Penn State, and saw a five-point lead — and a share of the Big Ten championship — slip through their fingers in the final minute against Indiana to close out the regular season. But everything else pales in comparison to having a national championship within reach and falling just shy of getting it done. The Wolverines carved out a 12-point first-half lead, only to see the Cardinals come storming back before the half. Both teams put on an effort-filled, gripping show through the final 20 minutes. In the end, John Beilein's crew could not make one last climb, despite sending a huge scare into the tournament's overall No. 1 seed. This certainly didn't represent Michigan's worst effort, but the prize to be had makes it easily the worst loss. Breakout Performer: Sophomore guard Trey Burke didn't stun anyone by playing well this season, after guiding the Wolverines to a Big Ten championship as a freshman. Burke's breakout arrived in his elevation to absolute elite status across the nation. He swept all of the most recognized National Player of the Year awards in college basketball, after getting tabbed as the Big Ten's best as well. He set a Michigan single-season record with 260 assists, became the only Big Ten player to reach double figures in every game, averaged 18.6 points and 6.7 assists per contest, and simply dominated the college basketball consciousness this year.