Florida State Takes On Michigan In Their First Elite Eight Appearance

Florida State who is out of the Atlantic Coast Conference will face Michigan who is out of the Big Ten in the elite eight Saturday for the right to go to the final four in San Antonio. 

Florida State comes into their first elite appearance with a record of 23-11 "according to http://seminoles.com/sports/basketball/schedule/season/2017-18/ after blowing out Gonzaga to get to the elite eight.

Terance Mann had a plan. "according to http://seminoles.com/elite-8-bound-noles-crush-no-4-gonzaga-75-60/

He saw Phil Cofer streaking up his right on a fast break. As Mann spun toward of the middle of the lane, he was going to flick a no-look pass over his head to Cofer for a monster slam. "according to http://seminoles.com/elite-8-bound-noles-crush-no-4-gonzaga-75-60/

In March, things don’t always go as planned. Mann’s pass certainly didn’t. Him being saddled by a groin injury the opening weekend wasn’t expected either. But NCAA tournament fortune favors those that can quickly adjust. "according to http://seminoles.com/elite-8-bound-noles-crush-no-4-gonzaga-75-60/

Mann was stripped as he spun, losing the ball as he brought it up to pass, but serendipitously the ball deflected off the defender and back to Mann. "according to http://seminoles.com/elite-8-bound-noles-crush-no-4-gonzaga-75-60/

It wasn’t how he drew it up, but Mann knew exactly what to do. The junior guard attacked the rim and scored his final field goal of the game with 4:21 remaining. He carried a big smile down the court. "according to http://seminoles.com/elite-8-bound-noles-crush-no-4-gonzaga-75-60/

“It didn’t go how I wanted it to go and I still got a bucket. It was just funny,” Mann said. He was smiling wider just seconds later when he Mann corralled a steal and immediately looked up court to start a fast break that concluded with a thunderous dunk by Cofer. "according to http://seminoles.com/elite-8-bound-noles-crush-no-4-gonzaga-75-60/

It was a two-bucket sequence highlighting a 12-4 run by the Seminoles as they pulled away from No. 4 seed Gonzaga for a 75-60 win in the Sweet 16 Thursday evening at Staples Center. "according to http://seminoles.com/elite-8-bound-noles-crush-no-4-gonzaga-75-60/

Ralph Lawler, the voice of the L.A. Clippers, often yells “Oh me, oh my!” after big plays at Staples Center. On this night, he would have been screaming “Oh Mann…Oh Mann!” Mann finished with 18 points on 8 for 13 shooting to lead a Seminole attack that featured 11 players scoring, but only Mann finishing in double digits. "according to http://seminoles.com/elite-8-bound-noles-crush-no-4-gonzaga-75-60/

“It feels great,” guard Trent Forrest said. “We’re a team that from the beginning of the season, we knew we could make it as far as we wanted to.”according to http://seminoles.com/elite-8-bound-noles-crush-no-4-gonzaga-75-60/

And now they are heading to the Elite Eight behind a well-balanced effort on both ends of the court. "according to http://seminoles.com/elite-8-bound-noles-crush-no-4-gonzaga-75-60/

“We’re a team that operates with the philosophy that we have to win games by committee. This has been our philosophy for a number of years,” head coach Leonard Hamilton said. “Our guys feel that’s the best way for us to operate, and they’re all able to contribute offensively and defensively because of that philosophy.” according to http://seminoles.com/elite-8-bound-noles-crush-no-4-gonzaga-75-60/

It took a team effort on both sides of the floor for the Seminoles (23-11) to advance to the Elite Eight for the third time in school history and the first since 1993. They will face Michigan Saturday at 8:50 p.m. EST after the Wolverines beat Texas A&M 99-72. "according to http://seminoles.com/elite-8-bound-noles-crush-no-4-gonzaga-75-60/

Florida State had nine blocks and eight steals and were able to score 16 points off turnovers. The Seminole defense held Gonzaga to a season-low 60 points and 33.9 percent shooting, including a 5 for 20 performance on three-pointers. "according to http://seminoles.com/elite-8-bound-noles-crush-no-4-gonzaga-75-60/

Gonzaga finishes the year 32-5 after struggling to get NCAA tournament breakout star Zach Norvell Jr. going until it was too late. After scoring 43 points in Gonzaga’s first two tournament games, he started the game 2 for 13 from the floor. Norvell finished with 14 points after hitting two late shots, but it was too little too late. The Bulldogs were led by Rui Hachimura’s 16 points. "according to http://seminoles.com/elite-8-bound-noles-crush-no-4-gonzaga-75-60/

It was a game of runs beginning with an action-filled back-and-forth first half. "according to http://seminoles.com/elite-8-bound-noles-crush-no-4-gonzaga-75-60/

After a slow start in the first four minutes, Florida State jumped out to 16-6 lead with an 11-0 run behind Trent Forrest stimulating the offense. He found PJ Savoy on the secondary break for a three-pointer from the top of the key that fired up the 19 friends and family Savoy had in attendance supporting him. Forrest also picked up a steal and transition bucket and set up an alley-oop dunk by Ike Obiagu a possession after nabbing another steal. "according to http://seminoles.com/elite-8-bound-noles-crush-no-4-gonzaga-75-60/

“Getting in passing lanes, getting a few steals, deflections and just finding Terance and Brian and Phil when they were in their best spots to score the ball,” Forrest said nonchalantly after finishing with seven points, six rebounds, six assists, two steals and only one turnover. Once again, the Seminoles were at their best with him on the floor, finishing with a +23 advantage when Forrest was playing."according to

Gonzaga quickly responded with a run of its own soon after Forrest subbed out of the game. The Bulldogs continually attacked the paint getting Christ Koumadje, Mfiondu Kabengele and later Braian Angola, Ike Obiagu and Phil Cofer all in early foul trouble. The first 12 points of a 15-0 run came in the paint or from the free throw line. It took a four-on-one fast break for Florida State to snap Gonzaga’s streak as the Seminoles struggled to adjust to the Bulldogs’ zone defense. "according to http://seminoles.com/elite-8-bound-noles-crush-no-4-gonzaga-75-60/

Having to use a small lineup, Florida State unsuccessfully tried to shoot Gonzaga out of the zone. But it found success in the final five minutes of the half by moving the ball quicker. They started to find some soft spots with Forrest being able to get the ball at the high post where he could turn and attack the heart of the defense. Once they started getting in the lane, the Seminoles were able to get some open looks from outside finished the half on a 13-3 run to take a 31-32 lead at the break."according to http://seminoles.com/elite-8-bound-noles-crush-no-4-gonzaga-75-60/

Florida State held Silas Melson and Zach Norvell Jr. to a combined 4-for-14 shooting and seven points in the first half, but the forward combo of Jonathan Williams and Hachimura carried the load for the Bulldogs early. Hachimura, who started in place of Killian Tillie after Tillie re-aggravated a hip injury before the game, gave the Seminoles fits with his ability to attack the offensive glass, grabbing three offensive rebounds in the first half and five of Gonzaga’s 14 on the night. "according to http://seminoles.com/elite-8-bound-noles-crush-no-4-gonzaga-75-60/

The second half featured an early 8-0 Gonzaga run to cut Florida State’s lead to five points, but the Bulldogs could never get closer than four and with 8:08 remaining, the Seminoles began to pull away. The 12-4 run started a 22-11 finish that sends the Seminoles onto the next round, just as planned."according to http://seminoles.com/elite-8-bound-noles-crush-no-4-gonzaga-75-60/

Meanwhile Michigan comes into the elite eight with a record of 31-7 "according to http://mgoblue.com/schedule.aspx?path=mbball after their win to advance over Texas A&M. 

pointers in the first half.
» Michigan had 14 first-half assists against just one turnover and finished with 21 assists and seven turnovers.
» Michigan has a 57-26 (47-22*) all-time record in the NCAA Tournament
» Michigan's 31 victories this season ties a school record (1992-92, 2012-13) and matches the total by a U-M led Beilein team, which also earned 31 wins in 2012-13.
» Having advanced to its fourth NCAA Sweet 16 in the last six years, the U-M has advanced to its third NCAA Elite Eight appearance in that span.
» Michigan hahttp://mgoblue.com/news/2018/3/22/mens-basketball-michigan-proves-elite-in-27-point-win-over-texas-am.aspx?path=mbballs won 12 straight games -- nine of which have come away from home. "according to

Site: Los Angeles, Calif. (Staples Center)
Event: NCAA Tournament (West Regional Semifinal)
Score: #7 Michigan 99, Texas A&M 72
Records: U-M (31-7), Texas A&M (22-13)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, March 24 -- vs. Florida State - NCAA Elite Eight (Los Angeles, Calif.), 5:49 p.m. PDT (TV: TBS) "according to http://mgoblue.com/news/2018/3/22/mens-basketball-michigan-proves-elite-in-27-point-win-over-texas-am.aspx?path=mbball

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Playing in front of a raucous, pro-Michigan crowd at the Staples Center on Thursday afternoon (March 22), the third-seeded University of Michigan men's basketball team used a first-half scoring barrage en route to a lopsided 99-72 victory over seventh-seeded Texas A&M. The Wolverines advanced to their third Elite Eight in the past six seasons and will play Florida State on Saturday (March 24) at 5:49 p.m. PDT."according to http://mgoblue.com/news/2018/3/22/mens-basketball-michigan-proves-elite-in-27-point-win-over-texas-am.aspx?path=mbball

Michigan (31-7) connected on 10 of its 14 three-pointers in the opening half and led by as many as 29 points (52-23), as the Wolverines were too athletic and deep for a Texas A&M (22-13) team that was coming off an impressive 86-65 win over North Carolina on Sunday (March 18). "according to http://mgoblue.com/news/2018/3/22/mens-basketball-michigan-proves-elite-in-27-point-win-over-texas-am.aspx?path=mbball

The Wolverines' 31 victories this season tie a school record (1992-93, 2012-13) and match the total by a Michigan-led John Beilen team that reached the NCAA title game in 2012-13. "according to http://mgoblue.com/news/2018/3/22/mens-basketball-michigan-proves-elite-in-27-point-win-over-texas-am.aspx?path=mbball

Moritz Wagner had 14 first-half points (2-for-2 3PT field goals), Duncan Robinson added 10 (4-for-4 FG, 2-2 3PT), Zavier Simson tallied nine (4-for-6 FG), and Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman had eight points (3-for-6 FG, 2-for-3 3PT) and five assists in the opening session. "according to http://mgoblue.com/news/2018/3/22/mens-basketball-michigan-proves-elite-in-27-point-win-over-texas-am.aspx?path=mbball

Texas A&M never got closer than 18 points the rest of the way as Michigan shot even better in the second half (19-of-28, .679) to finish at 62 percent overall for the game. "according to http://mgoblue.com/news/2018/3/22/mens-basketball-michigan-proves-elite-in-27-point-win-over-texas-am.aspx?path=mbball

After missing its first shot of the game, Michigan connected on four straight -- which included a bank shot from Wagner that was preceded by a behind-the-back dribble move -- to claim an early 9-2 lead. A&M answered on the next possession, but, coming out of the under-16-minute media timeout, Wagner pulled down an offensive rebound and kicked it to Abdur-Rahkman, who drained a triple for a 12-4 lead. Moments later, a strong take off the glass from Abdur-Rahkman made it 16-6, and Ibi Watson connected for a corner triple to force an Aggies timeout with a 19-6 deficit."according to http://mgoblue.com/news/2018/3/22/mens-basketball-michigan-proves-elite-in-27-point-win-over-texas-am.aspx?path=mbball

At that point U-M was 7-of-14 overall and 3-of-5 from deep, while A&M was flustered by the Wolverines' tenacious defense and shot at a 3-of-11 clip (.273) with four turnovers. After the timeout, A&M finally scored only to be met by another triple, this one from Robinson for a 22-8 advantage. Things soon got even worse for A&M."according to http://mgoblue.com/news/2018/3/22/mens-basketball-michigan-proves-elite-in-27-point-win-over-texas-am.aspx?path=mbball

Simpson scored five straight points with an uncontested three-pointer, steal and strong layup, Abdur-Rahkman found Wagner wide open at the arc for another triple, and great ball movement then led to a Charles Matthews triple and a 33-12 lead with 8:26 to play. By that point, U-M was 7-of-10 from deep and seven different players contributed. The Wolverines had more assists (nine) than A&M had baskets (five)."according to http://mgoblue.com/news/2018/3/22/mens-basketball-michigan-proves-elite-in-27-point-win-over-texas-am.aspx?path=mbball

Another triple, Michigan's eighth (11 attempts), came from Wagner in the corner, and a hesitation dribble and layup made it 44-18 with under five minutes to play. Abdur-Rahkman matched that lead moments later with another three to make it 49-23.  Coming out of the under-four-minute media timeout, Robinson struck again on a corner triple for a 29-point U-M lead before A&M scored the final points to make it a 52-28 score at the half. "according to http://mgoblue.com/news/2018/3/22/mens-basketball-michigan-proves-elite-in-27-point-win-over-texas-am.aspx?path=mbball

Michigan logged a 57 percent mark overall (20-of-35) and 62.5 percent from deep (10-of-16) with 14 assists against just one turnover while forcing 10 A&M miscues and turning them into 15 points. "according to http://mgoblue.com/news/2018/3/22/mens-basketball-michigan-proves-elite-in-27-point-win-over-texas-am.aspx?path=mbball

Abdur-Rahkman was sensational, leading Michigan with 24 points (9-16 FG, 4-7 3PT), seven assists and five rebounds. Wagner added 21 points (8-of-12 FG, 3-of-3 3PT) and Matthews logged 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting. Simpson finished with 11 points (5-of-8 FG) to go with five assists, and Robinson finished with 10. "according to http://mgoblue.com/news/2018/3/22/mens-basketball-michigan-proves-elite-in-27-point-win-over-texas-am.aspx?path=mbball

Eight different Wolverines made a three-point field goal against Texas A&M -- Abdur-Rahkman (4), Wagner (3), Robinson (2), C.J. Baried Matthews, Jordan Poole , Simpson and Watson) -- to set a school record for most players to make a triple in a NCAA Tournament game."according to http://mgoblue.com/news/2018/3/22/mens-basketball-michigan-proves-elite-in-27-point-win-over-texas-am.aspx?path=mbball

Texas A&M was led by Tyler Davis' 24 points (11-of-17 FG) and eight rebounds."according to http://mgoblue.com/news/2018/3/22/mens-basketball-michigan-proves-elite-in-27-point-win-over-texas-am.aspx?path=mbball

Tip-off is set for 8:49pm from the Staples Center . The game will be televised on TBS. "according to http://mgoblue.com/schedule.aspx?path=mbball