The only thing you need to do in the NCAA Tournament is survive and advance. But that doesn't mean that all NCAA Tournament wins are the same.
Michigan basketball was challenged by Saint Louis on Saturday, and the Wolverines still won the game by 23 points. The Billikens were supposed to be the kind of team that could give Michigan trouble.
After they cut the Michigan lead down to four early in the second half, it was a sign that it was going to come down to the finish.
Michigan had other ideas, though. The Wolverines went on a 27-10 run. It ended the competitive portion of the game, and was a reminder of just how good this team can be at its best.
Looking back on a seventh consecutive Sweet 16 trip for Michigan, when it has qualified for the NCAA Tournament, here are four encouraging observations.
Michigan found its early-season form
The Wolverines have been winning games, outside of the Big Ten title game, but it hasn't looked like it did earlier this season. That tends to happen in conference play. Teams get bogged down.
Michigan has now scored at least 95 points in back-to-back games. Howard scored 80, but Michigan's defense has been much better since that first half against Howard.
For whatever reason, we haven't seen that Michigan team much, the dominant one, since the loss of LJ Cason to injury. We saw it on Saturday, exactly when it was needed. That 27-10 spurt was one of the best of the season, and the fact that Michigan delivered it after Saint Louis made it a four-point game was a great sign moving forward.
Defense finally settled in
Dusty May wasn't happy with Michigan's defense in the first half. He said on the broadcast that the defense was making too many errors. Guys were getting beat too easily off the dribble, and also losing track of cutters.
Those things will happen against a team like Saint Louis. But the more Michigan squared up and used its length, almost as an extra defender, the better off it was.
Saint Louis only made 31 percent of its 3-point attempts, got just 15 free throws, and had only three offensive rebounds, all of which came early in the game. Michigan held the Billikens to 19 points in the last 15 minutes and change.
That's the kind of defense it will take to reach the Final Four.
Yaxel took over and needs to keep that energy
Yaxel went 9-for-13 from the field and 3-for-5 from beyond the arc for a total of 25 points. When he's shooting the ball like that, and attacking the rim, it's hard to see Michigan losing.
You need your star players to take over this time of year. Yaxel didn't do that in the first round. It wasn't needed, but when Saint Louis got close, he completely took over. That's what he needs to keep doing.
His 3-point shot is the X-factor. When those are going in, he's impossible to guard. Michigan is, too.
Aday Mara neutralized Robbie Avila
Aday Mara certainly looked like the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year on Saturday. Ailva was 3 of 13 from the field and 3-for-10 from 3-point range.
Mara helped him get into foul trouble early. And even though he was moving around, on the perimeter a lot, Mara made life hell around the rim for the Billikens. He had 16 points, five rebounds, five assists, and blocked four shots. He was better on both ends of the floor.
Mara doesn't get the credit he deserves, but he won that matchup decisively. That was one of the reasons Michigan won going away.