Michigan Basketball: 3 things we learned from win over Florida

Michigan basketball knocked off Florida in Des Moines, Iowa Saturday, advancing to the Sweet 16 for the third straight year. Here’s what we learned.

The way Michigan basketball beat Florida in the round of 32 in the NCAA tournament wasn’t pretty. But watching their name move to the next part of the bracket is all the satisfaction the Wolverines need to take away from the 64-49 win over Florida.

There were some highlight reel plays to be sure, especially from Charles Matthews, Isaiah Livers, Ignas Brazdeikis and Jordan Poole.

Iggy opened the game with a dunk and Matthews just kept attacking the rim throughout. It wasn’t the greatest game statistically for Matthews but he finished with nine points and seven rebounds and down the stretch, he was part of a lock-down effort defensively that put the game away.

Michigan basketball extended their lead early in the second half and pushed it to as many as 15 points thanks to a scoring burst from Poole and Brazdeikis. Yet, the Gators kept battling with pulled within seven points with around seven minutes left.

But two Simpson free throws, a dunk by Teske and a tremendous finish by Livers after another incredible dish by Simpson, who had nine points, nine rebounds and nine assists, the lead was 13 and the game was essentially over.

Poole didn’t have an efficient day from the field, connecting on 5-of-15 shots, but he still led all scorers with 19 points. Livers had 10, while Matthews and Simpson each had nine.

Michigan will advance to the Sweet 16 in Anaheim Thursday to face either Buffalo or Texas Tech for a berth in the Elite 8. But, before we look forward, here is a look at what we learned against Florida.