CLOSE Michigan basketball's Jordan Poole said he was "thirsty" for the ball in the final seconds of their game against Houston. The Wolverines advance to the Sweet 16 after defeating Houston, 64-63. Nicholas Baumgardner, Detroit Free Press
Michigan guard Jordan Poole (2) attempts for a 3-point basket against Houston guard Corey Davis Jr. (5) during first half of second round of the NCAA tournament at INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita, Kan., Saturday, March 17, 2018. (Photo: Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)
Stunner in Wichita!
Michigan basketball is heading back to the Sweet 16 for the second straight year, and it has Jordan Poole to thank for it.
Poole's game-winning 3-pointer as time expired propelled the No. 3 seed Wolverines past No. 6 seed Houston, 64-63, on Saturday in the second round of the NCAA tournament in Wichita, Kan.
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More: Michigan gets stunning win over Houston with an 'overdose of swag'
Poole's shot came from well beyond the 3-point line, and somehow he got it off with a Houston defender in his face. You can watch a replay of it below:
Jordan Poole hits a three-pointer as time expires and Michigan beats Houston to advance to the Sweet 16. pic.twitter.com/KTZ9vfTgIn — Brad Galli (@BradGalli) March 18, 2018
Michigan advances to the Sweet 16 on March 22, when it will face either North Carolina or Texas A&M. But until that game tips off in Los Angeles, here are some of our favorite reactions from Poole's season-saving shot:
"He has an overdose of swag!"@umichbball head coach John Beilein on Jordan Poole hitting the game-winner to send the Wolverines to the #Sweet16!#MarchMadnesspic.twitter.com/uYU1qTagu1 — NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) March 18, 2018
I LOVE me some John Beilein: he says Jordan Poole has an “overdose of swag.” That’s a quote dripping in awesome sauce. @umichbball#Wolverines#MarchMadness — Rick Pizzo (@BTNRickPizzo) March 18, 2018
Jordan Poole running to celebrate in front of Houston’s bench is the most savage thing you’ll see today pic.twitter.com/VKmKdrNt9i — Barstool Blue (@BarstoolUofM) March 18, 2018
He took a deep breath and wiggled his fingers as he stepped to the line, but his first shot was woefully short, perhaps a sign of nerves. His second shot rimmed out, too, and Michigan rebounded the ball. The Wolverines had life and set up the final play (whatever it’s called), which is the same one they used to defeat the University of Maryland earlier in the season.
“We have several variations and there are three or four options off of it,” explained John Beilein, the Michigan coach. The option they used worked perfectly.
Photo
As Livers went to throw the ball in, Abdur-Rahkman curled along the midcourt line and found himself open on the right side, the same side that Poole had set up. Livers threw the ball to Abdur-Rahkman — a pass from a “former pitcher to a former receiver,” Abdur-Rahkman noted. With the clock ticking toward zero, Abdur-Rahkman dribbled a few feet until Cougars guard Rob Gray came out to meet him.
Abdur-Rahkman dished the ball over to Poole, who jumped and gracefully unleashed his arcing, long-range shot. The ball hit the back rim and went through the basket after the buzzer had sounded and the red light had gone on, igniting a wild celebration that went from one end of the court to the other.
Poole, who played only 11 minutes and had only 5 points before that shot, jumped to his feet and began running around the court as his teammates tried to catch him and celebrate. The Houston players stood in shock, including Gray, who was held to 23 points after scoring 39 in Houston’s first-round game.
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As Michigan celebrated, the referees went to the scorer’s table to review the play and ensure that Poole had got it off in time. But he knew he had.
“I don’t even know why they were looking at it,” Poole said. “I saw the light come on after I let it go. I knew it was good.”
Minutes after the win, Michigan players celebrated in the locker room by spraying bottles of water at one another — including on their freshman hero.
By the time reporters entered the room, the floor was basically one large puddle of water, and people wanted to know what happened.
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“We had a Poole party,” Livers said.
John Gasaway ESPN Insider
Michigan and Houston are tied at 28 at the half in Wichita. Points have been at a premium, as the Wolverines have gone just 4-of-17 on their 3s, while the Cougars' leading scorer, Rob Gray, is 2-of-11 from the field. Even so, one of these teams is 20 minutes away from a trip to LA for the Sweet 16.
Who: Michigan Wolverines (29-7) vs. Houston Cougars (27-7)
Where: Intrust Bank Arena (Wichita, Kansas)
When: Saturday, March 17, 8:40 p.m. CT (9:40 ET)
Point spread: Michigan -3.5
Watch: TBS
Listen: Detroit: WWJ-950 AM; Ann Arbor: WWWW-102.9 FM
Tickets: Sold out
Follow: Andrew Kahn and Live Chat
Michigan will once again have the late tip at Wichita, starting 30 minutes after the Kansas-Seton Hall game, which starts at 6:10 p.m. CT, ends. The Wolverines will face Houston, which finished behind Cincinnati for both the American Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles.
Houston, a 6 seed, beat 11 seed San Diego State 67-65 on Thursday behind 39 points from senior guard Rob Gray. It was the program's first NCAA Tournament win since 1984, when the Cougars made it all the way to the national championship. They had lost four opening-round games since.
Houston and Michigan had one common opponent this season. The Wolverines lost 77-75 to LSU in Hawaii; Houston lost 80-77 at LSU.
The Cougars believe Michigan is similar to AAC member Wichita State because of how they move the ball and have five scorers on the floor. "Multiple great shooters," Gray said. "Great extra pass team. (Zavier) Simpson is always getting in the lane, causing someone to help. He makes a pass, they make a pass -- open corner 3."
Houston split its regular-season meetings with Wichita -- with one of those games being played just a few miles up the road from Intrust Bank Arena -- and beat the Shockers in the conference tournament semifinals.
On paper, Saturday's matchup looks like it could be a defensive struggle. Both teams rank in the 30s in KenPom.com's offensive efficiency rankings. Michigan's defense is third in the country; Houston's is 16th. Neither team executed well offensively in their NCAA Tournament openers.
But the prediction here is that both teams find a better groove. Unless they're willing to accept foul trouble, it will be tough for either team's guards to contain dribble penetration. Both squads have capable outside shooters. The Cougars not named Rob Gray shot just 1-for-7 from 3 on Thursday. Michigan went 5-for-16 from deep and Moritz Wagner scored just five points in a 61-47 win over Montana. Expect them all to bounce back.
Michigan could survive a slow start and shaky offense to beat a 14 seed. As good as Michigan's defense has been, it will need to score more often to beat Houston. Capitalizing on easy transition opportunities -- something the Wolverines couldn't do against Montana -- would help.
Michigan's season could end Saturday night in Wichita, but this has looked like a second-weekend NCAA Tournament team for a month. Houston is good, but no better than the teams Michigan beat en route to a Big Ten Tournament title. The pick: Michigan 77, Houston 72.
Pre-game reading:
Get to know the Michigan Wolverines
Zavier Simpson eager for another high-profile defensive matchup
Michigan and Houston need to play better to advance
Hotel room disputes and long days in Wichita
Rob Gray will be the focus of Michigan's defense
Bench play lifts Michigan over Montana
Charles Matthews posts 20 points in NCAA Tournament opener
