Michigan Basketball: 3 things we learned from win over Texas A&M

Michigan basketball rolled over Texas A&M 99-72 in its Sweet 16 game. Here’s what we learned from the big tournament victory.

The Sweet 16 game between Michigan basketball and Texas A&M did not go the way many anticipated it. Michigan had barely scraped by the first two rounds of the tournament, while Texas A&M had just upset the No. 2 seeded North Carolina Tar Heels. Michigan was favored, but only slightly. Most lines for the game only had the Wolverines winning by a few points.

Then an entirely different Michigan basketball team than what we saw last weekend showed up. The offensive struggles that plagued the team against Montana and Houston were gone. John Beilein’s squad brought death from above early and never let up.

Michigan shot 61.9 percent from the field and a whopping 58.3 percent from 3-point range. This looked more like one of the Michigan tournament teams from a few years ago with the likes of Trey Burke and Nik Stauskas than it did anything else we’ve seen this season.

Texas A&M found themselves in with a 24-point deficit at the half. Despite a much stronger second half from the Aggies, it was too late. This Michigan team was out for blood, and continued to shoot at that ridiculously high rate. What was expected to be a close, defensive game ended up being pure domination for the Wolverines.

Even the garbage time minutes were a sight to behold, with a thunderous Austin Davis alley-oop and a deep three from former student manager C.J. Baird to close the game.

Michigan has a big challenge on their hands Saturday against a Florida State team that has upset Xavier and Gonzaga in its last two games. The road to the Final Four will not be easy, even against the No. 9 seed in the region. For now though, let’s bask in the glory of an incredible Michigan victory.

Here are three things we learned in Michigan basketball’s 99-72 victory over Texas A&M.