Michigan is headed to Monday’s NCAA men’s basketball national championship.
The Michigan Wolverines survived a late surge by the Syracuse Orange to win Saturday night’s national semi-final . The final score was 61 to 56.
A pair of Michigan backups helped loosen up the Syracuse zone defense with their outside shooting, then an all-but-forgotten big man made the biggest defensive play of the night.
Caris LeVert and Spike Albrecht lifted the Wolverines with some early 3-pointers, and Jordan Morgan drew a crucial offensive foul in the final minute to help Michigan hold off Syracuse.
Star point guard Trey Burke was held to seven points, but the Wolverines got contributions throughout the lineup.
Griffith Rees is one of thousands of Michigan fans who made the trip to Atlanta to see last night’s Final Four game.
“Michigan just won…we’re going to the finals…championship…LETS GO BLUE,” Rees exclaimed after the game.
U of M will play the Louisville Cardinals in Monday night’s NCAA national championship. The Cardinals defeated the Wichita State Shockers Saturday night to earn their place in the final.
It’s been a long time since either school has won the March Madness tournament.
Michigan won its only men’s basketball title in 1989.
It’s been a longer wait for Louisville, which won the second of that school’s two NCAA men’s basketball titles in 1986.
(Reporter Lindsey Hall contributed to this story)
