At the Buzzer: Michigan 95, Saint Louis 72

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Rapid reaction to Michigan’s 95-72 win over Saint Louis in the NCAA Tournament Second Round.

THE MOMENT

With the ball down in the post, junior center Aday Mara forced center Robbie Avila to bite on a pass fake weakside. Mara hesitated before spinning on the right block, putting Avila behind him, and knocking down the floater.

Mara’s highlight play was indicative of how the entire game went for the No. 1 seed Michigan men’s basketball team. The Wolverines won through their domination down low but also through settling the game down and playing in the half-court. No. 9 seed Saint Louis had no answer for Mara, and when the Billikens’ shots fell silent, there wasn’t much they could do to keep up as Michigan would cruise to the Sweet 16.

THE TAKEAWAY

Michigan won in the exact way it needed to. The Wolverines were dominant both down low and in the half-court and kept the game at a pace where Saint Louis couldn’t exploit the mismatches in transition.

On multiple possessions, the Billikens were involved in high-ball screens that led to quick release or off-balance three, or it led to pick-and-roll action with Avila usually running point. Whenever Michigan pulled ahead, forward Brady Dunlap had an answer through that action, keeping Saint Louis close in the first half. Avila even finished the game with five assists, many of which coming off of his own screens.

But Avila picked up his second foul less than five minutes into the game, and that allowed Michigan and Mara to play exclusively through paint or using inside-out touches. The Wolverines knew what advantages they had and utilized them throughout the game 

THE STAR

Even before Saturday’s second-round matchup, Michigan coach Dusty May acknowledged that Mara would be the difference-maker against Saint Louis. Offensively, the Billikens would have no answer for his height, either needed to play in a disadvantageous one-on-one situation or double and hope Michigan missed its 3-pointers. Defensively, Mara would neutralize Avila, through whom Saint Louis flows its entire offense.

Mara answered the call by contributing in the exact way Michigan needed on both ends. The Billikens elected not to double Mara on the block for the majority of the game, hoping Avila would be enough defensively — but that wasn’t the case. By the game’s end, Mara had 16 points on 7-for-12 shooting from the field. He also had five assists, many of which came from the few possessions where he was doubled and found a wide-open teammate for three.

On defense, Mara was just as strong. He had only one foul in the first 30 minutes, taking on the mantle of guarding Avila. Saint Louis utilized its ball screen offense often, but Mara stayed active in lanes and communicated switches with teammates to keep Avila to just nine points on 3-for-13 shooting and 3-for-10 from deep. Mara also added four blocks and one steal.

Graduate forward Yaxel Lendeborg also took advantage of the fact that Saint Louis wouldn’t have an answer for him, ending with 25 points — but the second round game was Mara’s for the taking, and he did exactly what the Wolverines needed.

THE STAT

The battle of the bigs may have been the highlight of the game, but the shooting from deep was one of the key difference makers. In its first round game against Georgia, Saint Louis made 58% of its shots and nine threes.

Saturday’s second-round matchup was a different story for the Billikens. They ended up going 31.3% from deep on 10-for-32 shooting while the Wolverines shot a much more effective 47.8% on 11-for-23. Saint Louis shot many of its threes in desperation while Michigan did most of its using inside out movement and effective passing. The three pointers weren’t the story of the game but proved the efficiency the Wolverines played with all game long.

FOUR FACTORS