ARLINGTON, Texas -- Quick thoughts on Michigan's 87-85 overtime victory over Kansas on Friday at Cowboys Stadium:
Overview: In what was easily the best game of the NCAA tournament thus far, Trey Burke scored 23 points -- all after intermission -- to lead Michigan into the Elite Eight.
Kansas -- the No. 1 seed in the South Region -- appeared to be in command leading 74-66 with 1:22 remaining. But Burke led a charge that saw Michigan outscore the Jayhawks 10-2 in the next 72 seconds to force overtime. The dagger came after KU's Elijah Johnson missed a foul shot with his team leading 76-73. Burke capitalized with a 25-foot 3-pointer that made it 76-76 with four seconds left. Jayhawks guard Naadir Tharpe missed a 3-pointer as the horn sounded.
Kansas (31-6) had led by as many as 14 points in the second half.
No. 4 seed Michigan (29-7) had all the momentum during the extra period. The Wolverines went up 87-82 on two foul shots by Glenn Robinson III before Johnson drilled a 3 on the other end to pull KU within two, 87-85, with 45 seconds left. Jayhawks center Jeff Withey blocked a layup attempt by Burke on the other end. Michigan's Mitch McGary snared the offensive rebound but missed a putback attempt. Kansas snared the board as the shot clock sounded with 9.4 seconds left.
Johnson had the ball on the game's final possession and drove into the lane, where he appeared to have an open layup. But Michigan's Jordan Morgan came over at the last second and appeared to be in position to block Johnson's shot. So Johnson fired a pass to Tharpe on the right wing. Tharpe's 3-pointer at the buzzer was off the mark, and Michigan began to celebrate.
What's next: The Wolverines, after making their first Sweet 16 appearance in 19 years, will meet Florida on Sunday for the chance to go to the Final Four.
