What They’re Saying About Michigan’s Win Over Kansas

Mar 29, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward Glenn Robinson III (1) and Mitch McGary (4) celebrate with teammates after defeating the Kansas Jayhawks 87-85 in overtime in the semifinals of the South regional of the 2013 NCAA Tournament at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The Michigan Wolverines’ thrilling win over the Kansas Jayhawks will go down as one of the 2013 NCAA Tournament’s best games. Here is a quick spin around the internet to get a feel for what is being said:

Two heroes for Michigan in Sweet 16: Trey Burke and Elijah Johnson
Greg Doyle – CBSsports.com

"Trey Burke deserves this moment, this celebration, this applause. Look, he didn’t beat Kansas by himself. Fourth-seeded Michigan got 25 points and 14 rebounds from freshman center Mitch McGary. Glenn Robinson III scored 13 points. Nik Stauskas added 11, Tim Hardaway Jr. 10.But Burke did this. After a poor start to the game, a poor start that carried well into the second half, Burke took over. McGary and Co. had handled the heaviest lifting to that point, but with the season slipping away from the first Michigan team to reach the Sweet 16 in 19 years, Burke carried the Wolverines the rest of the way."

Michigan youngsters dedicate Kansas win to program-first seniors, John Beilein’s ‘investment committee’
Nick Baumgardner – MLive.com

"Part of the reason why Michigan’s been able to maintain such strong team chemistry throughout the season is due to the seniors’ buy-in factor.Vogrich was a starter early in the year, but was asked to step aside for freshman Nik Stauskas midway through the non-conference schedule. He never said a word.The other four seniors have only played sparingly in blowouts, but they’ve supported the team’s younger players through thick and thin.Glenn Robinson III talked all week about how much he wanted to stay alive in this tournament, not just for Michigan, but for the team’s five seniors — saying he wanted to do anything in his power to make sure they get to play college basketball for as long as possible."

It was amazing and magical and now you gotta believe in Michigan
Jeff Seidel – Detroit Free Press

"Beilein stood on the court. Smiling. Almost in disbelief. This amazing group of kids had done the impossible. The Wolverines had come back from 14 points down with less than 7 minutes to play.Tim Hardaway Jr. launched the ball up into the air in celebration. And it looked as if the Wolverines were floating in the air now.This is what it looks like when you slide down the rainbow and end up. Where? The Elite Eight, baby."

Rapid Reax: Michigan 87, Kansas 85, OT
Jason King – ESPN.com

"Kansas — the No. 1 seed in the South Region — appeared to be in command leading 74-66 with 1:22 remaining. But Burke led a charge that saw Michigan outscore the Jayhawks 10-2 in the next 72 seconds to force overtime. The dagger came after KU’s Elijah Johnson missed a foul shot with his team leading 76-73. Burke capitalized with a 25-foot 3-pointer that made it 76-76 with four seconds left. Jayhawks guard Naadir Tharpe missed a 3-pointer as the horn sounded."

U-M’s Burke: ‘There never was a time when we thought we were losing’
Rod Beard – Detroit News

"On Kansas’ last-ditch effort in overtime, Burke was sure to tell his teammates the defensive game plan, to prevent any miscommunication or buzzer-beaters, as the Wolverines did in the loss at Wisconsin.“(We said) switch everything, don’t jump on pump fakes — switch everything, switch everything, switch everything, switch everything,” Burke emphasized. “If they go to the rim, make them score over you — don’t put them on the (free-throw) line and that’s what we did.”"