Michigan Completes Incredible Comeback to Defeat Kansas

Trey Burke’s clutch three from way beyond the arc sent the game to overtime, where Michigan emerged with the win. (Greg Nelson)

The University of Michigan's men's basketball team has always had a large contingent of doubters. People said they can't win the big game. Even Wolverine fans I know have told me that this team just isn't good enough. Their pessimism loomed large over a team with high expectations on the line.

Michigan struggled at times in Big Ten play. They split the regular season series with their rivals Ohio State and Michigan State and were swept by Wisconsin and Indiana. They lost five of their last 10 games to close the regular season, including a Big Ten quarterfinal loss to Wisconsin. This made the Wolverines a trendy upset pick heading into the NCAA tournament.

No. 4 Michigan opened their NCAA tournament with a relatively easy 71-56 win over No. 13 South Dakota State. They were set to play VCU with a trip to the Sweet 16 on the line. Expert after expert explained why the Rams' havoc defense would force the Wolverines into countless turnovers and poor shots. However, this Michigan team didn't get the memo as they throttled VCU 78-53.

Surely a Sweet Sixteen matchup with No. 1 seed Kansas would prove to be too much for Michigan. This sure seemed to be the case as the Jayhawks looked to have the victory virtually locked up as the game reached the final minutes. They led by 10 points with the ball and only two and a half minutes remaining in regulation. All Kansas needed to do was run clock, avoid turnovers and sink its free throws to advance to the Elite Eight.

Instead, the Jayhawks squandered that lead with a plethora of turnovers and blown defensive assignments. Ultimately, Elijah Johnson missed the front end of a one-and-one to give the Wolverines a chance to complete their miraculous comeback with three to send the game to overtime.

Michigan put the ball into the hands of their leader Trey Burke. He had to put all of the missed shots at the end of games he had throughout his collegiate career. It didn't matter that he hadn't scored a point during the entire first half of this game. All Burke needed to do was to find a way to make a clutch three-pointer. If he did not, his team's season would come to a close right here.

With the seconds ticking away, Burke came around a Mitch McGary screen and had just enough space to launch and bury a 25- foot bomb with five seconds left. In the overtime period, Burke and the Wolverines did just enough to hold on for an improbable 87-85 win.

Burke's heroics sends Michigan to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1994. Those were the days of the Fab Five, Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Ray Jackson, Jimmy King and Jalen Rose. This Wolverines team is beginning to remind folks a lot of that team. Not only are they young like that team was, but the find ways to win just like the Fab Five did twenty years ago.

Fans of the Maize and Blue are beginning to hope that this team can accomplish one thing the Fab Five were unable to do. That is win a national title for Michigan. Following the improbable victory they earned tonight, anything seems possible if you simply believe it can happen.