Michigan Basketball: 3 takeaways from gritty win over Tennessee

This battle-tested Michigan basketball team found another way to win in March as they got it done again against cavalry that was deemed to be a national championship contender who was hot at the right time.

The Wolverines sprinted out to a 6-0 start. Tennessee fought back in it to keep things tight in the first half. The Vols went on a 13-2 spurt to take a five-point lead into the break.

Without DeVante Jones again in the second, Tennessee appeared primed to knockout the Wolverines, but Michigan basketball rallied and took the reigns away from the Volunteers to send them home and place Michigan in its fifth consecutive sweet 16.

Here are the three takeaways from the special win.

1. Michigan’s gameplan kept Tennessee from controlling the show

In Tennessee’s win over Longwood on Thursday, the Vols shot around 60% from three. On Saturday that number dwindled down to just 11%. They nailed 14 triples in the Longwood triumph, but only had two against Michigan basketball.

Michigan’s perimeter defense played a pivotal role along with some luck from 16 of Tennessee’s missed shots from out there.

The Vols wanted to speed up the pace of things with their quick guards, but Michigan was up for the challenge. Frankie Collins brought the tenacity on the defensive end of the court. His effort helped immensely by slowing down Zakai Zeigler and Kennedy Chandler just enough to keep things from getting out of hand.

Even with 15 turnovers, Michigan basketball never stopped with its hustle. Tennessee’s biggest lead came under the nine-minute mark and Michigan finished them off with a 22-8 run. The Wolverines stuck to their gameplan and now they get to reap the rewards until they travel to San Antonio for next weekend.