Michigan basketball faced the mortality of its season on Saturday but the Wolverines never blinked.
Thanks to 26 points from Roddy Gayle, a former Ohio State Buckeye, which included four 3-pointers and a perfect effort from the free throw line, the Wolverines stormed back for a 91-79 win that gets them back to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2022.
After a Wade Taylor 3-pointer with 7:58 to go, it felt like A&M might have withstood Michigan's second-half run up 70-66. The Aggies called timeout, but Gayle was having none of it.
Roddy drilled a 3-pointer to cut the lead back to one. Two Gayle free throws later and Michigan was back in the lead. The Wolverines got up nine after a 15-2 run but the Aggies got back within three before Tre Donaldson made a clutch layup with less than two minutes left.
The Wolverines strung together some key stops and didn't miss at the free throw line down the stretch. That was that and Michigan is headed to the Sweet 16.
Gayle scored 26 points off the bench. He was 4 of 6 from deep and 8 of 8 from the charity stripe. It was an incredible, season-saving effort. Vlad Goldin was massive too with 23 points and 12 rebounds. He also had three blocks. Danny Wolf managed 14 points and nine boards, as well as four assists. LJ Cason provided a spark with 11. Tre Donaldson scored only eight but had two huge points late.
Incredibly, Michigan basketball had just nine turnovers. The Wolverines also tore down 15 offensive boards -- more than the best offensive rebounding team in college basketball. They also made 81 percent from the line and survived a 27-percent effort from downtown.
It was improbable, especially the way it happened, and here are the gut reactions.
Gut reactions to Michigan basketball win over Texas A&M
- Roddy Gayle has his place in Michigan basketball history. That's a win fans will never forget.
- All the Roddy Gayle haters need to go into hiding.
- Michigan fixed the first-half issues: Missed free throws, layups and defensive rebounding. The Wolverines were the better team, they just needed to execute and did down the stretch.
- If Michigan turns it over less than 10 times, it can beat anyone in the field.
- Roddy stole the show but defense and rebounding were just as critical.
- Area 50-1 accounted for 37 points, 21 rebounds, and six blocks. Their rim protection was a difference-maker, especially in the last few minutes.
- Dusty May is one of the best coaches in college basketball.
- This is the 8th trip to the Sweet 16 for Michigan basketball since 2013. Also, the last six times U-M has made the NCAA tournament, it has advanced to the Sweet 16.