By Josh Tolentino | EBC SPORTS
KANSAS CITY — It came down to the last play, but in the end it was No. 3 Oregon who came out on top 69-68, over No. 7 Michigan as Derrick Walton’s potential game-winning shot missed as time expired in the Sweet Sixteen round of the NCAA Tournament.
“I just knew time was winding down, and I wanted to get the best shot possible with time winding down,” said Walton who finished with a game-high 20 points and eight assists. “I had a good look at the basket and it just didn’t drop for me.”
With Oregon leading by just one point, Dylan Ennis was fouled with :15 left, but missed the front end of a one-and-one. Michigan’s DJ Wilson secured the rebound and was fouled by Jordan Bell with :09. The Wolverines inbounded the ball to Walton, whose last second shot hit the front of the rim falling just short.
It was a slugfest at the point guard position between Walton and Oregon’s Tyler Dorsey. The pair traded big-time baskets throughout the game. Dorsey matched Walton’s 20 points and shot 7-of-15 from the field including 5-of-7 from the three point line. Thursday was Dorsey’s sixth-straight game with 20 or more points and his 10th occurrence this season.
“I’m really happy for the guys. It was a great game,” Oregon coach Dana Altman said. “We knew Michigan was a very talented team, and, you know, those threes got ’em back in there (Michigan was 11-of-31 from three). I’ve got a lot of respect for coach John Beilein and Michigan. Both teams played really hard…Tyler (Dorsey) got us big time buckets.”
Oregon outscored Michigan in the paint, 34-16. The Ducks also outrebounded the Wolverines 36-31. Bell recorded his eighth double-double of the year, finishing with 16 points and a game-high 13 boards along with two blocks. Zak Irvin addd 19 points and eight rebounds, while DJ Wilson finished with 12 and six.
“(We) Do whatever you can to win,” Bell said. “Me, get every rebound, offense or defense, help my team out as much as possible.”
The Ducks and Wolverines traded the lead eight times, but neither team led by more than five points.
Michigan is now 12-7 in Sweet 16 appearances and 54-26 all-time in the NCAA Tournament. The Wolverines used the magic of March Madness to advance throughout the Tournament — Michigan was just the No. 7 seed in the Big Ten Tournament, but became Big Ten Champs after defeating Wisconsin 71-56, in the Big Ten Championship.
“Oregon has a great team. They gave us trouble with their changing defenses and put us in delay a few times,” Michigan coach John Beilein said. “Our kids fought their hearts out this whole season but particularly this last six weeks to be more than a story. It was a great team, so I’m really proud of them.”
The win marks program-best 32 wins in a single season for Oregon (32-5). The Ducks’ victory also advances them into the Elite Eight for the second consecutive year and fifth time overall. Oregon was the No. 1 seed in the West Region last season and lost to No. 2 Oklahoma in the Elite Eight, 80-68.
Oregon will play the winner of No. 1 Kansas and No. 4 Purdue in the Elite Eight on Saturday in Kansas City.
This story will be updated.