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After UCLA defeated 2-seed Alabama over the weekend, the Wolverines path to the Final Four got much easier — on paper. We all know that ‘on paper’ doesn’t mean much once the tournament gets this far, so how would the game pan out?
It didn’t like many predicted with Michigan falling to UCLA, 51-49.
The first half was as sloppy of a performance as a game, and Michigan itself, could get. The offense for the Wolverines was all out of sorts early shooting 1-6 from the floor, but once they started hitting some shots, the turnover bug once again hit the maize and blue. Michigan had nine turnovers in the first half, and only shot 20% from 3. The Wolverines found themselves down 27-23 at halftime, and that was mostly due to Johnny Juzang getting 18 first-half points.
The second half looked promising when it started with Juwan Howard opting for more of a patient offense at the outset, with Eli Brooks running the point for most of it. The offense shifted to a low post-oriented offense feeding Dickinson — as well as Austin Davis when he replaced Dickinson. The issues stemming from the first half, Mike Smith and Franz Wagner having arguably their worst games in a Michigan jersey led to their demise.
We’re now going to dive more into the game and discuss the good, the bad, and the MVP.
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