For Wolverines, easy does it

LOS ANGELES This one was easy.

After advancing to the NCAA tournament’s round of 16 with an improbable buzzer-beater, Michigan shot 62 percent from the floor and routed Texas A&M 99-72 in the West Region semifinals Thursday night to reach the Elite Eight for the third time in six years.

The Wolverines will face No. 9 seed Florida — State on Saturday in the regional final.

Michigan (31-7) dominated from start to finish Thursday, hitting 14 3pointers — 10 in the first half — and extending its winning streak to 12 games. MuhammadAli Abdur-Rahkman scored 24 points, Moe Wagner added 21 and Charles Matthews 18 for the third-seeded Wolverines.

“My shot went in early and it gives you the confidence to take the next one,” Abdur-Rahkman said. “I think everyone had that confidence today.”

Abdur-Rahkman made four 3-pointers and both of his free throws. He also had seven assists and five rebounds.

“This senior right here played his tail off in every single way,” Michigan coach John Beilein said of Abdur-Rahkman.

The Wolverines were good in the first half and even better in the second. The rout was on by halftime, with Michigan leading 52-28 after shooting 57 percent from the floor. It shot 68 percent in the second half, the Wolverines improved to 68 percent from the floor.

“We are on a business trip, and we still have business to take of,” Abdur-Rahkman said.

The Aggies (22-13) never made a run, going long stretches without a basket in the first half while Michigan was scoring on nearly every trip down the floor.