There was a weak No. 1 seed, but it was not Michigan. Not now, at least.
The narrative was about the right conference, but the wrong team. Illinois, it turns out, was a Big Ten powerhouse in danger of failing to get through the first weekend.
Despite the absence of star wing Isaiah Livers (leg), the Wolverines are still alive, reaching their fourth consecutive regional semifinal with a stunning 86–78 win over No. 8 LSU at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
“We knew we were good enough in the locker room to come into the Sweet 16,” senior guard Eli Brooks said as Michigan booked for a pre-region semi-final with No. 4 Florida State on Sunday.
He helped ensure this.
Brooks and Chandy Brown helped fill the substantial void left by Lever, each producing season-21 high points, as the Wolverines made a slow start. If it wasn’t Brooks or Brown, it was Frantz Wagner coming alive down the stretch, scoring nine of his 13 points in the final 4:27. Hunter Dickinson’s Big Ten freshman typically owned the paint with 12 points, 11 rebounds and three assists. All eight Michigan players who were off the bench, and its reserves took a 26–2 lead.
Michigan coach Juwan Howard said, “You can’t fill Isaiah’s void by providing you with your shooting, your length, your leadership, your experience on the floor.” “But we knew that once he went down that every man had to step up.”
It was enough to overcome the talented, but not too deep LSU (19–10), which combined a combined 57 points from star guards Cameron Thomas and Javonte Smart, and very few.
Michigan (22-4) flashed the game with a 14-1 run delay in the second half, turning a five-point deficit into a commanding eight-point advantage with 5:57 left after Brown’s eight straight points. He hit two 3-pointers and dropped two free throws, allowing the cushion LSU could not overcome.
The Wolverines had too many weapons, too much depth and tore down the Tigers in the final minutes. Although Thomas and Smart scored about 60 points between them, they shot a combined 20-for-46, and there was not enough in the tank down the stretch for one final run.
With this victory, Michigan became the first – and only – Big Ten team that sent nine teams to the dance in the powerhouse conference after arriving on the second weekend, and finished eight. Wolverine did not pay much attention to that. They were more focused on exiting the opening weekend for the fourth straight tournament.
“That’s what we expect in Michigan,” Brooks said. “But you have to earn it. It is more fun than just here. “
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