Day 214

Fresh Start_214: Cinderella missed the ball
The shoe didn’t fit and it wasn’t meant to be. With their 69-68 loss in the Sweet Sixteen yesterday, the Michigan Wolverines magically run has come to an end. Overall the game was an excellent game from both teams, but the Ducks just out executed when it mattered most. In the final minute, the Wolverines failed to grab two defensive rebounds that gave Oregon an extra chance which both times they were able to cash in on.

After a magical run in the Big Ten Tournament, where the team won 4 games in 4 days in Washington D.C. to win the Big Ten title and grab a 7 seed in the NCAA Tournament. With a narrow one point 92-91 win in the opening round against Oklahoma State, the Wolverines had a tough test in the 2 seed in the Mid-West side of the bracket in Louisville. After a tough game, Michigan would pull away with a 73-69, mostly in part because of Sophomore Forward Moritz Wagner who had 26 points shooting 11-14.

Then the Wolverines had their toughest test all season matching up with the deadly back court of Oregon with Dylan Brooks and Tyler Dorsey. In the Sweet Sixteen matchup, last night, the tandem combined for 32 points, 7 assists, and 7 rebounds. Michigan had no answer for the dominance of the two Oregon guards. Even with a remarkable performance by the heart and soul of team Senior Guard Derrick Walton Jr. Walton in his college game had 20 points (6-10 from the field), 8 assists, and 5 rebounds.  

Walton did miss the final shot of the game that would have propelled Michigan to the Elite 8, but not every shot can fall. The look at Walton got off the dribble for the final shot was a great look that just fell short off the front of the rim. That shot was as good of a look that you could get at the end of the game, so Walton, even though he didn’t make the shot, he shouldn’t hang his head that low. The run that this team made at the end of the season, when it counts, is something that they should be proud of. Not many teams can find magic like this at the end of March and ride it through almost 3 games. This is a team that shouldn’t have even been in this position, and wasn’t being considered for a 7 seed at the end of February. This is a team that seemed lost at the midway point in the season. Finding something that worked in the Big Ten Tournament, is something that just can be explained by the following words, “In March anything can happen.” The mantra of “why not us” was exemplified in this Michigan team, it’s just unfortunate that it didn’t end in the Final Four, or with a National Championship. Michigan got further than Villanova (last years’ National Champions), Louisville, and Duke. All those teams where Top 10 ranked teams at one point in the season.

To Michigan basketball and their fans, hold your heads high, this wasn’t supposed to happen. This is an incredible stepping stone for the program, due to the experience that it has given the returning players. Thank you Derrick Walton for everything you have done on the court for your four years, good luck after graduation in the NBA or somewhere else. I am optimistic about next years’ Wolverine basketball team, retool and go after it next year!
Sources:(espn.com)

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