Written by Robert Henry
Los Angeles, CA –Florida State put up a good fight but it was just not enough to hold off Michigan as the Wolverines captured an exciting 58-54 win over the Seminoles in the West Regional Championship. Florida State wasn’t ready to go home as they kept fighting until the last moment. If it wasn't for a pair of free throws at the end of the game the score could have been much different with a very different atmosphere at Staples Center in Los Angeles. The win sends Michigan to the Final Four for the first time since 2013.
Michigan started the first half really well taking the lead early away from Florida State. The Wolverines in the first half dominated defensively and Florida State struggled defensively. The Seminoles were able to make small come backs here and there in the first half but ultimately they struggled against the high power offense of Michigan .The Wolverine’s Charles Matthews was on fire in the first half putting up ten points, one block and one steal. Matthews wasn’t the only one on Michigan putting up big points when it mattered. Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman hit two clutch three pointer that helped push and keep Michigan on top.
The Seminoles needed to find their rhythm from beyond the arc but were unsuccessful during the first half. They attempted eight threes and only made three of them. As the last seconds winded down in the first half the Florida State Seminoles were looking at a four-minute scoring drought. The score at the end of the first half was 27-26 with Michigan on top.
Entering the second half the Wolverines could see the end goal in sight and kept pushing until they could extend their lead. They did that early on and were able to luckily keep that lead throughout the second half. The Seminoles just couldn't seem to find their rhythm in the second half early on. Overall in the second half, Florida State was just 1-8 from beyond the arc. Shutting down the Noles three point game is telling of how well Michigan did defensively.
In the last ten minutes of the game Florida State did not score a point for over five minutes. Florida State did what they could but since they just couldn’t seem to get the momentum beyond the arc it created more problems. Forcing the Seminoles to create shots within the paint, which was difficult with Moritz Wagner, a six foot eleven forward, on the other team. FSU would cut a 10-point deficit late to just four, however it was too little too late.
The Michigan Wolverines move onto the Final Four where they will face off against Loyola-Chicago in San Antonio on March 31st.
Michigan started the first half really well taking the lead early away from Florida State. The Wolverines in the first half dominated defensively and Florida State struggled defensively. The Seminoles were able to make small come backs here and there in the first half but ultimately they struggled against the high power offense of Michigan .The Wolverine’s Charles Matthews was on fire in the first half putting up ten points, one block and one steal. Matthews wasn’t the only one on Michigan putting up big points when it mattered. Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman hit two clutch three pointer that helped push and keep Michigan on top.
The Seminoles needed to find their rhythm from beyond the arc but were unsuccessful during the first half. They attempted eight threes and only made three of them. As the last seconds winded down in the first half the Florida State Seminoles were looking at a four-minute scoring drought. The score at the end of the first half was 27-26 with Michigan on top.
Entering the second half the Wolverines could see the end goal in sight and kept pushing until they could extend their lead. They did that early on and were able to luckily keep that lead throughout the second half. The Seminoles just couldn't seem to find their rhythm in the second half early on. Overall in the second half, Florida State was just 1-8 from beyond the arc. Shutting down the Noles three point game is telling of how well Michigan did defensively.
In the last ten minutes of the game Florida State did not score a point for over five minutes. Florida State did what they could but since they just couldn’t seem to get the momentum beyond the arc it created more problems. Forcing the Seminoles to create shots within the paint, which was difficult with Moritz Wagner, a six foot eleven forward, on the other team. FSU would cut a 10-point deficit late to just four, however it was too little too late.
The Michigan Wolverines move onto the Final Four where they will face off against Loyola-Chicago in San Antonio on March 31st.