Michigan basketball: Wolverines shoot their way into Elite 8
By Zac Snyder
Michigan basketball found their offensive flow while maintaining their stifling defense in totally shredding Texas A&M to move on to the Elite 8.
The Michigan basketball team may have reached the Sweet 16 but it wasn’t easy, even as the favorite in each of their first weekend games. The first and second rounds were all about “survive and advance” but what happened in the Sweet 16 was nothing short of “dominate and advance” in beating Texas A&M.
The Michigan Wolverines were on their game from the opening tip, racing out to a quick lead that eventually reached as many as 29 points in the first half. It’s hard to argue Michigan could have performed any better offensively. The team hit ten three pointers in the first half with the first seven coming from seven different players.
The ball was moving, more often than not finding an open shooter who had no issue putting the ball through the hoop. Michigan ended the first half with 14 assists compared to just one turnover.
Compare that to Texas A&M’s three assists against ten turnovers in the first half. While the Michigan offense was on fire, the defense was just as impressive. It’s no accident the Aggies had assist and turnover numbers like they did as the Wolverines brought the pressure defensively. That was especially true with Zavier Simpson whose five steals accounted for half the Aggies’ first half turnovers. Michigan came away with eight first half steals in total.
If the game wasn’t over by halftime at 52-28, it didn’t take long to put away any worries that Texas A&M would mount a comeback. The Aggies kicked up the offense to score 44 second half points but that only put them further behind with Michigan scoring 47.
Earlier round struggles were defined by below-average output from Moe Wagner and Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman so it comes as no surprise that they were two of the leaders of tonight’s outbreak. Both were active and efficient all night, often scoring at will inside and out.
Abdur-Rahkman’s 24 points led the Wolverines while Wagner needed just 12 shots to score 21. Charles Matthews (18), Zavier Simpson (11) and Duncan Robinson (10) also finished in double figures.
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In rolling through Texas A&M, Michigan moves on to their third Elite 8 in six years. They will meet the winner of Gonzaga and Florida State in the West Regional final on Saturday night.