Busting Brackets
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NCAA Tournament 2019: Top takeaways from 1st half of Round of 32 games

By Brian Rauf

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - MARCH 23: Tremont Waters #3 of the LSU Tigers goes up for a shot against Jalen Smith #25 of the Maryland Terrapins during the second half of the game in the second round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Vystar Memorial Arena on March 23, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - MARCH 23: Tremont Waters #3 of the LSU Tigers goes up for a shot against Jalen Smith #25 of the Maryland Terrapins during the second half of the game in the second round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Vystar Memorial Arena on March 23, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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DES MOINES, IOWA – MARCH 23: Jordan Poole #2 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates with Zavier Simpson #3 against the Florida Gators during the second half in the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 23, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
DES MOINES, IOWA – MARCH 23: Jordan Poole #2 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates with Zavier Simpson #3 against the Florida Gators during the second half in the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 23, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

3) Michigan‘s defense is good enough

Speaking of great defenses, Michigan flexed their muscle on that end of the court in their 64-49 win over Florida.

I’ve been critical of Michigan’s offense throughout the past several months and I think it remains a sticking point for them moving forward, but their defense is good enough for them to make a return trip to the Final Four.

The Wolverines have the nation’s most efficient defense according to KenPom and have been on a roll of late, holding six of their last seven opponents to 65 points or less, including four of their last five to 55 points or less.

Their performance against Florida obviously fell in this category with the Gators shooting just 34.5 percent from the floor. Jalen Hudson was the only player that Michigan allowed in double figures as their defense set the stage for the second-half run that put the game away.

Michigan will likely face two very capable offenses next weekend in Texas Tech and, should they win that, Gonzaga. The Wolverines will have to score more points than they’re used to in order to win, but this elite defense will absolutely give them a chance.

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