Kansas Was Up 14, Then Trey Burke Happened

Michigan's warmup shirts have "Rise To The Occasion" in large script written on the front. It's a messge coach John Beilein clearly wanted to get across to his players, and Trey Burke's explosion in the second half — that included a ridiculous 30-foot jimmy to tie the game and force overtime — was all the evidence he needed to know it sunk in.

This season has been clowned on all year for mediocre play, but that wasn't on display tonight. It was easily the best game of the tournament thus far, with both teams clicking and the NBA talent putting on a show.

Kansas dominated two-thirds of the game with solid all-around game on both ends of the court. Ben McLemore, who finished with 20 points on 8/15 shooting, finally looked like the potentional top-pick in the NBA draft. His breakaway dunk to make it 53-46 looked like the end of the game. Kansas stretched their lead to 14 points. 

But they went on cruise control too early, and Trey Burke took advantage. Once he got hot, there wasn't anything Bill Self's timeouts could do to stop him. He lit Kansas up for 23 points on the night — with Mitch McGary knocking in 25 and grabging 14 boards — culminating in March Madness' first real Onions moment.

 

The momentum carried Michigan though overtime. Kansas was shell-shocked. They were a shell of the confident team that looked capable of blowing out their Sweet 16 opponent for most of the game. Bill Self sent six players out from the huddle. They may not figure out what happened until the morning.

Here's how it went down on Twitter.

 

 

(h/t: TheBigLead)

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