Jordan Bell had two big offensive rebounds – one that he followed up with a big basket to make it a one point lead, and one to force Michigan to foul to stop the clock.  Tyler Dorsey had just hit a big shot the last possession to give the Ducks a one point lead with a minute to play, and unlike other times in the game, Michigan didn’t come back with an answer.

But the Ducks missed the free throw giving the Wolverines one last chance.   And they got the ball in the hands of their senior leader, Derrick Walton, Jr.   He made a nice step back to get off a shot before the buzzer and I thought to myself – this has to go in, right.

The Wolverines story the last few weeks have been like a fairy tale, with lots of happy endings. But many times in March as we see with these great underdog stories, the clock eventually strikes midnight on Cinderella.

Walton’s jumper fell short, and the Oregon players celebrated as the buzzer sounded.  The Ducks will be playing in the Midwest Regional final.   Congratulations to Oregon for being the first team to the Elite 8, and thank you to the Michigan Wolverines for giving all of us such a wonderful and uplifting story for the last two weeks – we are all winners for getting to watch their magical run in March.