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NCAA Tournament 2017, Oregon vs Michigan: Highlights, score and recap

By Connor Muldowney

Mar 23, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Dillon Brooks (24) reacts with forward Jordan Bell (1) after the game against the Michigan Wolverines in the semifinals of the midwest Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Sprint Center. Oregon defeated Michigan 69-68. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Dillon Brooks (24) reacts with forward Jordan Bell (1) after the game against the Michigan Wolverines in the semifinals of the midwest Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Sprint Center. Oregon defeated Michigan 69-68. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /
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Thursday night’s Oregon vs Michigan game went down to the wire like everyone expected, but the Ducks got the last laugh.

The game started with a surprisingly cold shooting performance from both teams, but the second half heated up like everyone expected. Both Michigan and Oregon traded blows in the final 20 minutes but it was ultimately the Ducks who pulled out the incredible victory, advancing to the Elite Eight.

Oregon led for a majority of the game, but a 6-0 run by Michigan late in the second half changed that as the Wolverines swiped it right back. It looked like Michigan would ride the momentum of a new-found lead to the final buzzer, but Oregon scored the final four points, despite a couple of big missed free throws by Dylan Ennis, to win by one.

Michigan can’t be hanging its head right now, though. The Wolverines fought incredibly hard and exceeded expectations this season to make it to the Sweet 16. This team has a bright future and even though Derrick Walton Jr. will be headed on to the next level, Mo Wagner and DJ Wilson are bright young stars.

As for Oregon, everyone believed the Ducks would be falling short of expectations in the tourney without Chris Boucher, but they keep marching on. The one-point game had to be one of the best matchups of the tournament so far.

In the end, I guess you could say the Wolverines quacked under pressure — I’ll show myself out.

Three Stars

Tyler Dorsey made some big-time shots for Oregon down the stretch and finished by tying for a game-high 20 points. He added two big steals as well and he was the difference, offensively.

Despite the loss, Derrick Walton Jr. has to be recognized not just for his performance on Thursday, but throughout the tourney. He did lead Michigan with 20 points and eight assists and nearly hit the game-winner at the buzzer.

Without Chris Boucher, Jordan Bell has been forced to step up. The junior big man had a monster game in the post, recording 16 points and 13 rebounds.

Highlights

Next: NCAA Tournament 2017: Five best potential Final Four matchups

Next Game

Oregon will take on the winner of Thursday night’s Kansas vs Purdue game in the Elite Eight in Kansas City. It will be one of the most anticipated matchups of the NCAA Tournament thus far. The Ducks are looking to get that offense going again.

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