Hot-shooting Wolverines drop Aggies
Michigan’s 3-point attack ousts A&M
LOS ANGELES — This one was easy.
After reaching the NCAA Tournament’s round of 16 with an improbable buzzer-beater, Michigan shot 62 percent in routing Texas A&M 99-72 in the West Region semifinals on Thursday night. The victory puts the Wolverines in the Elite Eight for the third time in six years.
Next up for Michigan is Florida State, the ninth seed, an upset winner Thursday night over No. 4 Gonzaga. The Michigan-florida State West Regional final is Saturday.
The Wolverines (31-7) dominated throughout, hitting 14 3-pointers — 10 in the first half — and extending their winning streak to 12.
“Felt like we ran into a buzz saw,” A&M coach Billy Kennedy said. “It seemed like everything they shot went in.”
Muhammad-ali Abdur-rahkman scored 24 points, Moe Wagner added 21 points and Charles Matthews had 18 points as third-seeded Michigan had five players in double figures.
“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 and had five rebounds and seven assists.
“This senior right here played his tail off in every single way,” Michigan coach John Beilein said. “This is like a great example of a great college basketball player that can play afterwards, too.”
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. In the second half, the Wolverines improved to 68 percent.
“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.
Tyler Davis led the seventh-seeded Aggies with 24 points.
Michigan won its second round game to reach the Sweet 16 on freshman Jordan Poole’s long 3 at the buzzer against Houston.
Against the Aggies, Michigan led by 29 points after an 8-0 run near the end of the first half. The Wolverines averaged nine 3-pointers per game coming in and exceeded that by the break.
Michigan’s defense was superb, too, holding the Aggies to 12-for-32 shooting and forcing 12 steals, with Zavier Simpson leading the way with six.