Cover Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images

MARCH MADNESS is here! 

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Survive and advance. After 14 turnovers, shooting 55 percent from the free throw line and squandering a 10-0 run to start the game, Michigan Men’s Basketball survived, 68-63, against UC San Diego (30-5) in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, shortly after midnight Friday. They advance to play Texas A&M on Saturday. 

This was truly March Madness. The UC San Diego Tritons, regular season and tournament champions of the Big West Conference, after trailing by as many as 15, took a two point lead against the Big Ten Tournament Champion Wolverines with 2:31 left to play. As he has the two previous games, however, Tre Donaldson made a clutch shot for Michigan to retake the lead. Then it was Vlad Goldin’s turn to come up big. Michigan was clinging to a one point lead when Goldin grabbed an offensive rebound with seconds remaining, got fouled, and sank two free throws. UC San Diego held the ball for a last second three pointer to tie, but missed sending the game into overtime. 

Watch the highlights. 

Goldin led Michigan with 14 points. Danny Wolf led the team with 11 rebounds. Donaldson scored 12 points. 

Michigan should celebrate this win. It will be their last win of the season if they repeat this performance against higher seeded teams, such as 4-seed Texas A&M. The Aggies won their opening round game against Yale 80-71. 

If 5-seed Michigan goes on to the Final Four or wins the NCAA Championship, last night’s game against UC San Diego will be considered a tough test by a worthy opponent. Every champion faces adversity on their way to glory. 

But the warning signs are there. Michigan ranked 334th in the country by giving up 14.1 turnovers per game. After Michigan celebrates in the locker room, they should self-reflect on how to protect the ball. 

“We’ve done this all year,” Michigan Coach Dusty May said of the team not making things easy on him. On the ugly way Michigan won, May said, “Well, this is March Madness. We’re going to expect this the next game, and probably the game after that if we’re fortunate enough to advance.” 

Michigan has the talent, size, experience, heart, and clutch shooting to advance to the Final Four and even win the NCAA Tournament, but only if they keep the turnovers down. They only had eight turnovers in the championship game of the Big Ten Tournament, so the ability is there. 

Texas A&M is 23-10 on the season. The Aggies score 72.7 points per game and give up 66.1. They score 19.2 points per game off turnovers. Michigan is 26-9 this season, scoring 78.3 points per game and giving up 71.2. 

DraftKings expects Texas A&M to win a close, defensive game. The point spread is -1.5 for the Aggies, with total points scored at 140.5. 

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