The Michigan Wolverines have survived to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament. But they’ll have their hands full with their next opponent coming up.
The Wolverines have yet to play well in the NCAA tournament, despite advancing to the Sweet Sixteen. Coach John Beilein is heading back to the drawing board as the Wolverines, looking to find their identity again. Michigan is the one team remaining in the second weekend who has yet to play up to their full potential.
Nonetheless, even though the Wolverines have yet to play well, here they are. On their way to Los Angeles, 2 wins away from the Final Four. The next opponent that Michigan has is going to be their best to date, and is going to be a tough matchup for Michigan. That opponent is the Texas A&M Aggies.
One of the aspects of playing Texas A&M is that no coach knows which Aggie team is going to show up. The Aggies who have a roster that is loaded with talent and size, have been battling inconsistency all season long. If the first weekend of the tournament is any indication, the Aggies have found their mojo and are rolling.
Michigan, especially Moe Wagner is going to have their hands full with Texas A&M. The Aggies have two wonderful frontcourt players in Tyler Davis and Robert Williams. Wagner is going to have to control himself to stay out of foul trouble. One advantage Michigan is going to have in this game, is their ability, especially with Wagner to shoot the ball from three.
If Wagner is making threes, he will be able to bring the defense out to the three-point line, which should open up the middle of the paint. This is when Michigan is truly at their best.
How did Michigan get to the Sweet 16, if they truly didn’t play well? Their defense was a huge factor in the game against Montana. That game was not for the faint of heart as both teams went long stretches without scoring at the same time.
The Grizzlies could not get seemingly any good looks at the basket in the second half, as the Michigan defense was stifling. Michigan was able to make just enough shots in that game to advance.
In the second round game against the Houston Cougars, Michigan again did not play well, and blew a late lead due to their inability to make enough shots down the stretch. Houston Devin Davis missed two key free throws with 3 seconds left, which left the door open for Michigan. After a quick timeout by the Wolverines to set up a play it all unfolded.
More from Busting Brackets
- NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Analyzing top 5 teams for top-100 SG Larry Johnson
- Oregon Basketball: Projected starting lineup and depth chart for 2023-24
- Big East Basketball: Ranking all head coaches going into 2023-24 season
- Florida State Basketball: Is Seminoles roster good enough to win in 2023-24?
- SEC Basketball: 10 potential additions for the league if they ever expanded
The play which has been dubbed “Indiana” is the play that has saved Michigan’s season to date. The inbounds came and Jordan Poole, who had been stifled the entire second half, got the ball and let it fly from just over half court. As the buzzer sounded the ball went through the basket and earned Michigan a one-point win.
The Wolverines were justifiably elated. This type of shot could propel a team to the Final Four, as it could help them play loose, or potentially get them rolling again. If the Wolverines are making three-pointers and moving the ball on offense they are one of the most talented teams in the country on offense. When you add Michigan’s defense to the equation they are one of the best teams in the country as their seed line would show.
The defense could be where this matchup takes a turn for the worse. The Wolverines outside of Wagner run a lineup with very little size. If the dominating forces of Davis and Williams for the Aggies can get Wagner and backup Jon Teske, into foul trouble it may be a long day for Michigan, especially if they are not making shots. If Michigan is able to come up with a defensive game plan that will neutralize the bigs from A&M, then Michigan has an ample chance to move on, if they are not making shots.
The Aggies have proven that when they are playing up to their potential Davis and Williams are really hard to stop. Michigan is going to have to finally get its offense going in this tournament to have a chance to win. The Wolverines are more potent on offense especially when Wagner and Jordan Poole is making shots, and usually, those two make a ton of threes. If that is the case, Michigan will gladly trade two-point shots for three-point shots.
How long Michigan remains in the tournament will be decided by how well the Wolverines play. If the Wolverines can finally find the play they had leading up to the NCAA tournament they are a final four team, if they continue to play the way they have the last two games in the NCAA tournament, the game against the Aggies will be over early.
Next: Ranking the Sweet Sixteen teams
If one thing is a constant in the madness that is March, it is never bet against John Beilein. Also, it has taught all of us to expect the unexpected in this game, and the unexpected would be for Texas A&M to advance to the Final Four. It will be an intense game, and fans should circle this one, because it could be one of the best games of the second weekend.