Michigan Basketball: 3 Things We Learned from Louisville Win

Michigan basketball knocked off second-seeded Louisville 73-69 to advance to the Sweet 16 Sunday, winning a rematch of the 2013 National Championship game.

If revenge is sweet, than the Sweet 16 run for Michigan basketball should taste that much sweeter.

While winning a second-round game in the NCAA tournament is nothing compared to a national title, the fact that Michigan upset Louisville to keep its late-season run going, offered some solace for that painful loss four years ago.

More importantly, it keeps the Wolverines alive for the 2017 national championship and a trip to the Final Four, which now seems within reach.

In the last two weeks, the Wolverines have had a lot of memorable victories. But upsetting Louisville, a No.2 seed, to get to a third Sweet 16 in five years, has to be at the top of the list.

Yet, for much of the game, it looked like the Cardinals, not the Wolverines would come out on top. Until a 3-pointer by Moritz Wagner in the second half, Louisville had led a most of the way.

But after Wagner’s triple and another from Derrick Walton Jr., the Cardinals wouldn’t lead again.

Wagner was outstanding and D.J. Wilson had ice running through his veins. All in all, it was one of the Wolverines best win in years and the best part, is that their magical run now extends to Thursday in Kansas City, where Michigan will play Oregon.

But before looking ahead to the Ducks, here are three things we learned from the win over Louisville as well as the first weekend in the NCAA tournament.