There is only one explanation for the performance of Roddy Gayle in the Michigan basketball win over Texas A&M on Saturday.
"It's March."
At least that's what he told Dana Jacobson of CBS after the Wolverines 91-79 win over Texas A&M to advance to the Sweet 16 for the eighth time since 2013. It's also the sixth straight time that Michigan has been in the tournament that it has made the Sweet 16.
Midway through the second half, it didn't seem like it was going to happen. Texas A&M led by as many as 10 points. With about 10 minutes to go, it was eight.
Yet, Gayle just wouldn't let Michigan basketball go away. After five points in the first half, Gayle drilled three triples, giving him four 3-point makes for the game. At one point, the Ohio State transfer scored 12 points in a row for the Wolverines.
That's not something that seemed possible a few weeks ago. Gayle has always been a good scorer. he scored over 13 points per game last season for the Buckeyes. But this season, his average dipped to nine after shooting 20 percent from 3-point range, at least going into Saturday's game.
Gayle has always been a good free throw shooter. Even this season he shot 78 percent after shooting better than 80 percent the past two seasons.
However, in the biggest game of the season and his career, Gayle delivered a game he and every Michigan basketball fan will remember for the rest of their lives. He scored 21 in the second half as the Wolverines ended up winning by 12.
It was a remarkable turnaround and that one needed to happen for the Wolverines to advance.
As Gayle said, "It's March."
And for Michigan, the dancing continues.