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Michigan basketball: Wolverines look to extend tournament run vs. Houston

By Zac Snyder

Michigan basketball coach John Beilein. speaks to his players during a delay in the game against the Montana Grizzlies during the second half of the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at INTRUST Arena on March 15, 2018 in Wichita, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Michigan basketball coach John Beilein. speaks to his players during a delay in the game against the Montana Grizzlies during the second half of the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at INTRUST Arena on March 15, 2018 in Wichita, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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After a rather uninspiring win over Montana in their NCAA Tournament opener, the Michigan basketball team will need a better performance against Houston.

It wasn’t pretty in the first round but the Michigan Wolverines ended up advancing comfortably over Montana after finding their way late in the first half. It was the kind of performance that was good enough to get through an over-matched first round opponent but not one that will lead to a deep tournament run, especially against a more capable opponent like the Houston Cougars.

Houston, the sixth-seeded team in the West Region, makes their way into the second round having dispatched of San Diego State on Thursday night. The Cougars were led by a career night from guard Rob Gray who posted 39 points and eight rebounds on the night.

Gray was efficient in doing so, needing just 25 shots to score his 39 points. He went 4-6 from three-point range and converted 11 of 15 free throws.

Michigan’s task tonight will be to force Gray into a night that looks more like his line from the American Conference Tournament championship game in which he went went just 9-22 from the field in the Cougars’ loss to Cincinnati. He still managed to score 17 points in that game, but that was a function of volume rather than overall effectiveness.

As Houston’s leading scorer, Gray will get his, Michigan’s job is just to make him work as hard as possible to get it. Make Houston work hard for everything on the offensive end and Michigan should be moving on to the Sweet 16.

NCAA Tournament Second Round – West Region

(6) Houston Cougars vs. (3) Michigan Wolverines
Intrust Bank Arena – Wichita, KS
Game time: 9:40 p.m. ET (approximate)
National TV: TBS
Radio: 950 AM in Detroit (click here for affiliates)
Live Stream: NCAA.com
Line: Michigan by 3

Next: 20 Best NBA Draft Picks from Michigan

Tonight’s winner moves on to the West Regional to play the winner of North Carolina and Texas A&M. The Tar Heels and Aggies will meet play their second round game tomorrow.

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