Michigan jumped out and score the first 13 points and never looked back.  Nik Stauskas hits 6-6 from three point range to score 22 and leads the Wolverines to a very easy 79-59 victory over the Florida Gators.

And so for the third straight year, the Gators dominated their way to the Elite 8 just to find the region final to be the end of their season.  In those 9 games, the Gators average victory was 19 points – with no game being closer than 8.  Unfortunately, that dominance has not meant success in the region final.  Unlike the last two years where the Gators watched leads slip away at the worst time, this year, the Gators never were really in the game.  Every time the Gators mounted any kind of charge – the Wolverines just would hit another three pointer or get a fast break for a dunk.

The Michigan Wolverines made sure that the Big 10 will be represented in Atlanta.  While many gave Indiana, Ohio State or Michigan State better odds, it is the Wolverines who are the last ones standing.  And if they shoot the way they did today (which by the way was against a very talented defensive team), it is going to be tough to stop them.

Congratulations to the Michigan Wolverines on advancing to Atlanta.

Oh – and a simple piece of advice for the final teams playing – Louisville and Duke.  Might be a good idea not leading the other get out to an early double digit lead – that has not worked out well for Marquette, Ohio State and Florida.  Maybe a little simple – but more often than not, it is hard to come back at that point…  🙂