If a team is going to have a magical March run, it is going to need some luck. And Michigan got just that on this night, as freshman Jordan Poole hit a bomb 3-pointer as the clock expired to ease past No. 6 Houston, 64-63.
Ohio State’s magic ride is over, ending with a 90-84 loss to No. 4 Gonzaga in the second round.
So far in the Big Dance, the Spartans are living up to that hype, taking their first step toward Izzo’s eighth Final Four as Michigan State (30-4) dumped scrappy No. 14 Bucknell (25-10) of the Patriot League in the first round of the NCAA tourney, 82-78.
Purdue suffered a big loss today when it was announced senior center Isaac Haas will miss the rest of the season with a fractured elbow suffered in today’s win vs. No. 15 Cal State Fullerton in the opening round of the NCAA tourney.
Purdue is a pick by some to reach the Final Four. And the No. 2 Boilermakers certainly looked the part in destroying No. 15 Cal State Fullerton in their opening NCAA game, 74-48.
It wasn't pretty at times, as witnessed by the fact Michigan fell behind 10-0. Nonetheless, it’s a win for Michigan, which took a 61-47 decision vs. No. 14 Montana (26-8) from the Big Sky Conference in its opening NCAA tourney game.