Michigan Basketball: 3 takeaways from Wolverines run to Final Four

Michigan’s defense carried the day

Over the years, John Beilein has had some really good teams. Since 2012, he has led the Wolverines to a share of the Big Ten title, an outright Big Ten title, two Big Ten tournament titles, a national title game, two final fours, three Elite 8’s and four berths in the Sweet 16.

However, no matter what happens in San Antonio, the 2018 team will go down as one of Beilein’s best. The reason? Defense. Michigan is going to the Final Four for a lot of reasons, but the defense is 1A.

The old adage is that defense wins championships and this postseason, Michigan is making it come true. After allowing 63.1 points a game during the season, 8th in the NCAA, UM has taken its game to a whole new level. In the Elite 8, against a scrappy Florida State team, Michigan held the Seminoles to 54 points on just 31 percent shooting.

Montana had a similar output against Michigan, notching 47 points on 32 percent. Houston got 63 points on 37 percent and Texas A&M got 72 points on 47 percent. Unfortunately for the Aggies, Michigan basketball was 14-of-23 from 3-point range. Texas A&M was 5-of-18. That decided the outcome. That and turnovers.

In four games, Michigan has forced 48 turnovers. Zavier Simpson forced 11 on his own, nabbing 11 steals, including six against A&M. He averaged 3.7 per game. Michigan as a team got 26 steals in four games, 6.5 per game. The Wolverines also limited opponents to 36 percent shooting in four NCAA Tournament games.

The offense wasn’t always great, but it didn’t need to be. Michigan’s defense was flat out dominant at times and that more than anything else, is the reason why the Wolverines are headed to their eighth Final Four.