The Michigan Wolverines started slow but rallied from a 15-point deficit to upset the Colorado State Rams and advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
March Madness has begun and we have our first official upset on the board. The Michigan Wolverines rallied from a 7-point halftime deficit to defeat the Colorado State Rams 75-63 to advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament out of the South Region.
Michigan trailed by as many as 15 before Juwan Howard made some critical halftime adjustments. The Wolverines started 0-for-7 from beyond the arc in the first half but relied more on pounding the ball inside after the break. The move paid off as Hunter Dickinson delivered a massive effort for Michigan, racking up 21 points and six rebounds on the afternoon.
Dickinson was also a notable presence on the defensive end as Colorado State had a ton of trouble getting easy baskets, going just 4-of-12 on layups at one point as the sophomore center racked up four blocks. The Wolverines were also able to utilize their size advantage over the Rams, winning the rebounding battle 36-25 and shooting 54.2 percent from the floor thanks to their strong interior presence.
College basketball media reacts to Michigan’s 2nd-half comeback
when the first game of March Madness is an 11-seed beating a 6-seed but it's Michigan beating a Mountain West team and they were actually favored at sportsbooks pic.twitter.com/S9sAWQb7At
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) March 17, 2022
It looks like #11 seed Michigan is going to advance to the second round. They lead Colorado State with under a minute to play, 70-60. They’ll play the winner of Tennessee/Longwood.
— Jacob Davis (@JacobScottDavis) March 17, 2022
Bracket busted.
Michigan second half pic.twitter.com/TTajpx0d3B
— BetOnline.ag (@betonline_ag) March 17, 2022
MICHIGAN HATERS SO MAD 🤣 pic.twitter.com/QmpFFKFFsy
— Justin Sherman (@Sherm2x) March 17, 2022
Ball game. Michigan, down 16. Played great defense, crushed CSU on the boards. 10 point game but it feels like 20.
— Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) March 17, 2022
Michigan made Colorado State look like a JV team the last 20
— Bobby Reagan (@BarstoolReags) March 17, 2022
A disappointing way to end things for the CSU Rams. Couldn’t answer that 2nd half run from Michigan. Just brutal. #MarchMadness
— Taylor Kilgore (@TaylorKilgore33) March 17, 2022
March Madness bracket update after Michigan beats Colorado State
The Michigan victory ensured that an 11-seed has now beaten a 6-seed in six consecutive NCAA Tournaments. The end result does fit an ongoing pattern for the Wolverines, who have alternated wins and losses for the past 13 games and were coming off a loss to Indiana in their first matchup of the Big Ten Tournament.
The Wolverines are slated to return to action on Saturday against the winner of the South Region’s 3-14 matchup between Tennessee and Longwood. The Volunteers, who were arguably underseeded on the 3-line after winning the SEC Tournament last week, are heavily favored to advance past the Lancers and could give Michigan a difficult time in the Round of 32.
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