In surprisingly easy fashion, #4 seeded Michigan Wolverines crushed arguably the nation’s best defensive team VCU, beating the #5 seeded Rams 78-53.
The victory for the Wolverines also ensures a spot in next weekend’s Sweet 16 Round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1994, the final year that members of the legendary “Fab Five“, Jalen Rose and Juwan Howard, played for Michigan.
While the usually ferocious VCU defense were amped up and ready for the many talents of NCAA POY Candidate Trey Burke and SG Tim Hardaway Jr, star freshman big man Mitch McGary set new career highs with 21 points and 14 rebounds against the smaller VCU frontcourt.
If you remember, the 6’10 highly touted forward once shattered the backboard at the Elite 24 HS Game a few Summers ago, and reminded many of hustling NBA Hall of Fame big man Dave Cowens for his all-out, leave it all on the floor type of play, as he continually could be found on the hardwood diving for a loose ball.
Juvante Reddic led the Rams with 16 points, while Burke added 18 points and 7 assists and Hardaway connected on 3-5 from behind the arc for 14 points. Michigan no plays the winner of Memphis/Michigan State on Thursday.
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen has also provided content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, Cleveland.com, CSN Philly.com, Buckets Magazine, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
