Ducks end Michigan’s run with 69-68 victory, head to Elite 8

He was joined in double-figures by Zak Irvin with 19 points and D.J. Wilson with 12.

It’s time for them to make it happen.

No. 7 MI looks to continue its Cinderella run in the NCAA Tournament when it faces No. 3 OR in the Sweet 16 at 7:09PM ET.

The Wolverines didn’t get many open looks, and OR made them work for every inch. It was a terrific ride.

“Derrick, really, he wanted it”, MI coach John Beilein said.

Walton Jr. not looking past the Ducks either. There was no shame in missing. The Oregon Ducks biggest lead did not reach double digits as the Wolverines had an answer when they need to. They clamped down, forced the errant shot, and came away with a 69-68 victory.

OR lost star center Chris Boucher to a season-ending injury in the Pac-12 Conference tournament, which has forced OR to play small.

Derrick Walton Jr.’s leadership has taken MI all the way to the Sweet 16 and possibly more. “So good ball game”.

It was fitting it was just a two-point lead for OR at the half. “If he wouldn’t you probably wouldn’t see me anymore”.

OR was a bit undersold entering the game.

OR forward Dillon Brooks celebrates at the end of a regional semifinal against MI in the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 23, 2017, in Kansas City, Mo. The Ducks are now 31-5 on the season while going 20-15 against the spread. “I was just watching the ball in the air hoping it didn’t go in”. Dillon Brooks had 12 points, and Ennis scored 10. Jordan Bell was particularly solid and pest to the Wolverines.

“It’s just an unbelievable feeling”, OR coach Dana Altman said. OR made back-to-back appearances in the Sweet 16 for the first time. They led by six.

OR forward Dillon Brooks, left, celebrates with Jordan Bell after a regional semifinal against MI in the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 23, 2017, in Kansas City, Mo. OR then got up by five.

The Wolverines (27-11) had one more chance to extend their run after Dylan Ennis missed a free throw with 15 seconds left.

Jordan Matthews hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with under a minute to play and the top-seeded Bulldogs survived a rough shooting night for both teams to beat No. 4 seed West Virginia 61-58 Thursday night to advance to the West Regional final.

The Ducks lead MI 16-13 midway through the first half. It’s like a 2-for-3 exchange.

The Wolverines’ unique chemistry and unselfishness reflected their leaders and defined their late-season push.

Michigan’s offense never seemed to get comfortable against the switching looks of Oregon’s defense. As a result, both schools have seen significant amounts of revenue, with MI earning $152.4 million (4th) while OR earned $105.7 million (21st).

The Wolverines provided us with an fantastic run. And props to John Beilein for the incredible coaching job he pulled off this year. It was arguably the best coaching job of his distinguished career.

When Dorsey returned the favor, driving across the lane, through the guts of U-M’s defense, and making his layup with 1:08 to go, he mean-mugged back down the floor, pointing to his wrist and eye-balling Walton.

They definitely left their mark in 2016-17.

From there, there were five separate lead changes until the end of regulation.