Michigan Basketball: 4 key highlights from Wolverines Sweet 16 win

Looking back at some key plays and highlights from Michigan basketball’s win over Florida State in the Sweet 16 on Sunday.

Going into the Sweet 16, it was hard to know what to expect from Michigan basketball against Florida State.

The Wolverines, despite being a No. 1 seed, were still trying to find their identity without Isaiah Livers at the start of the tournament, but through three games, thanks in large part to the play of Brandon Johns, Chaundee Brown and Eli Brooks, U-M is making up for Livers’ absence.

Johns was always going to be a key part of this run and Sunday, he grabbed some early momentum with a steal and slam dunk that helped set the tone for Johns and Michigan.

It also started a stretch that allowed Michigan basketball to build an early nine-point lead that it wouldn’t relinquish.

Brown’s tough rebound

Leading up to this game, I had a feeling that Brown was going to have a big game. Looking back at his Wake Forest days, he always played well against the Noles and came into the game shooting 53 percent career from deep against FSU.

True to form, Brown scored 12 points and made two triples. However, his offensive rebound and put back late in the first half was the best symbol of what he does for this team. His shooting is critical but so are his defense, heart, and toughness.

Michigan wasn’t going to win this game without being tough and this play epitomizes toughness.

Mike Smith’s second AND ONE

At the end of the first half, Michigan’s defense allowed the Wolverines to take a nine-point lead. Early in the second, U-M was able to extend that lead to 16 points, thanks to a three-point play by Mike Smith.

Yet, following a Florida State 3-pointer, the lead was back down to 13 points when Smith went coast-to-coast for another and one.

It felt like FSU was poised for another run like the one that cut the lead to five. Smith’s bucket ended that momentum even though he missed the free throw.

Franz Wagner’s head-turner

Last but not least, Franz Wagner was Michigan’s closer earlier in the week against LSU and he served the same role Sunday versus Florida State.

Wagner only scored 13 points, but he was the best player on the floor. He added 10 rebounds, five assists and an elite defensive effort. He also scored on this incredible move.

Not long after, Brown hit his second trey of the game, which proved the be the dagger in Michigan’s 18-point win that advances U-M to a fourth Elite 8 since 2013.