Michigan Basketball: 3 takeaways from Sweet 16 win over Florida State

Everyone was worried about Michigan basketball’s matchup with Florida State, but the Wolverines dominated thoroughly for 40 minutes. 

I guess we didn’t need to worry about Michigan basketball against Florida State after all, because the Wolverines waxed the floor with the Seminoles in the Sweet 16.

The game started out as a grind, but by the end of the first half and early in the second, Michigan basketball was in complete control.

A couple of 3-point plays in the second half by Mike Smith and a slew of impressive takes/assists from Franz Wagner, as well as the corner 3-pointer from Chaundee Brown put the 18-point win on ice.

Here are three takeaways from yet another Elite 8 appearance:

Franz Wagner was special

For the second straight game, Franz Wagner showed why he’s going to be a lottery pick in the 2021 NBA draft. All week leading up to this game, much of the narrative was about how the Wolverines needed the Wagner they got in the last five minutes against LSU, for closer to a full game and that’s what they got Sunday.

Wagner finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, but even those numbers don’t do his impact on the game justice. He was the best player on the floor and his defense on Scottie Barnes was enormous too.

Wagner totally neutralized Barnes, who went 4-for-11 to finish with eight points. Franz won the battle of 6-foot-9 stars and if he keeps playing like this, U-M will be an incredibly tough out.

Michigan has figured out how to win without Livers

When Isaiah Livers went down with an injury, it was hard to know what Michigan was going to be capable of and how the pieces were going to fit.

Granted, it took a few games to get things figured out, but since the second half against LSU, this team has found a different gear.

Chaundee Brown had another strong outing, one that was predictable, yet he still delivered with 12 points on 5-for-6 shooting and three big-time rebounds. Brandon Johns was also a man in this game, scoring a team-high 14 points and grabbing six rebounds, while also playing impeccable defense inside.

Hunter Dickinson faced probably his biggest test since Illinois and he passed with flying colors, notching a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Dickinson also dished out two assists and blocked two shots, while fouling just once and having two turnovers.

All the pieces are starting to fit and the rotation feels on point again. The shooting of Brown and Eli Brooks, plus the big-time play from Johns has made up for the loss of Livers, as much as possible at least.

And after the win over Florida State, no longer does this team feel like it has a limited ceiling.

Juwan Howard is elite, elite

This game was always going to come down to coaching adjustments and Michigan basketball was light years ahead of Florida State.

After struggling to get Dickinson going in the first half, Michigan started throwing different entry passes and using different movements to attack the basket. And it worked to a T in the second half as Michigan dominated in the paint.

Michigan out-rebounded Florida State, shot a better percentage from on two and three-point field goal attempts, won the turnover battle and just dominated. The Noles were demoralized with a few minutes left.

The players deserve their credit and they were spectacular. But Howard and his staff have done an outstanding job of putting their players in the best position to win.

He’s an elite coach and U-M is incredibly lucky to have him.