Michigan basketball learns tough lesson in blown lead to Arkansas in New York City

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NEW YORK −  In the arena where players become legends, where performers become stars, Michigan basketball had a chance for someone to add his name into the Madison Square Garden lore.

The Wolverines led Arkansas by 15 in the first half Tuesday night, only to fall behind by 18 in the second half, before they scratched, clawed and fought their way back within four in the final two minutes of play.

A Tre Donaldson missed free throw was ruled out of bounds off U-M, but video review overturned the call and gave the ball back to Michigan. That was key, as on the ensuing possession Roddy Gayle Jr. was fouled. He too made the first free throw, then missed the second, but this time Danny Wolf got the offensive rebound and eventually finished the possession with a left-handed scoop to get within one with 1:28 to play.

After Michigan came up with a stop on defense, Donaldson turned the ball over by stepping on the baseline with 35 seconds to play. But the Wolverines were given a reprieve when Arkansas’ Trevon Brazile was intentionally fouled and he missed both tries from the stripe.

That gave U-M another chance, but Brazile got the last laugh when he stuffed Vlad Goldin on a hook-shot in front of the rim with less than 20 seconds to play.

“I said to Vlad’s old teammate ‘I didn’t ever think Vlad was going to get blocked like that,’” Wolf said. “I wouldn’t want (us to get) any other shot.

“I don’t think the game came down to that (stop).”

Brazile came away with the rebound and was fouled, this time he split from the stripe on the other end to set up U-M, down two, with one final possession. May called a timeout with 3.7 seconds to play, U-M in-bounded the ball to Wolf, who threw a backdoor bounce pass to Gayle Jr. along the baseline.

The ball caromed to the ground, Gayle got his hands on it and threw up one last heave but it clanged off the front iron, snapping Michigan’s seven-game winning streak, an 89-87 loss.

“He was beat,” Arkansas coach John Calipari of U-M’s final…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-basketball-learns-tough-lesson-154212991.html

Author : Detroit Free Press

Publish date : 2024-12-11 15:42:00

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