We really played well. Things just got a little sketchy at the end…
The Wolverines led 45-34 at halftime. We essentially kept a double-digit lead all the way through to 70-60 with 3:41 to play.
Then, the Volunteers started to make buckets. After a Jordan Morgan dunk, Michigan only scored one point in the final two minutes.
Turnover #1 (1:37) – After a timeout, Walton left a perfect bounce pass inside to Morgan who watched it roll off his hands. Nerves are real. 72-67.
Turnover #2 (0:42) – Shot clock violation. 72-69 after a Tennessee jumper (where they got a poor out of bounds call).
Turnover #3 (0:20) – Little Big Dog gets hounded, no foul called, and turns it over. 72-71 after a drive.
Turnover #4 (0:10) – Caris LeVert steps out of bounds after receiving the ball.
And this is from a well-coached Michigan team that doesn’t turn it over.
Give us credit, though: with six seconds on the clock, Morgan got big and took a charge from the Volunteers. After two hard fouls, Nik Stauskus stepped to the stipe and split his free throws. The latter bounced to Tennessee, who watched the final two seconds run out before their half-court heave could even miss long.
Michigan’s player of the game was Morgan, who shot 7-9 for 15 points, seven boards, a block and a steal. Plus, he really showed he was the senior with several composed moments in the second half.
Stauskus and Robinson III deserve praise as well for playing 37 and 39 minutes, respectively. That’s out of 40.
The Wolverines shot 55% from the field and from downtown. If we can improve and learn from this near-collapse, we won’t let it get this close again.
Michigan plays Sunday with a chance to go to the Final Four.