Big Dance: Michigan Miracle Shot Dooms Houston

Give the Wolverines credit for grinding out their ticket to the Sweet 16.

But that's about it.

Except, maybe, for a freshman guard's desperation launch that found it's mark in the nick of time.

Jordan Poole was well guarded, but give him credit for strong shooting mechanics and maybe even a bitta St Patrick Day's magic:

 

This is supposed to be the day everyone's Irish, but don't tell the Houston Cougars that.

They're feeling more like the crowd that went down with the Titanic.

Michigan, on the other hand, had a different take on that metaphor:

 

Damn.

Poole might want to talk to Jim Harbaugh about being a two-sport athlete, the way he was eluding his teammates to avoid being crushed at the bottom of the usual celebration dogpile.

In the present, Coach John Beilein would rather avoid scenarios like that altogether.

 

Frankly, up until the final 90 seconds, this game was on its way to becoming one of the more forgettable close scores in March Madness history.

However, that time span did set the stage for a moment of compelling viewing:

 

Sure, Houston centerpiece Rob Gray went off for 23 points, but they came on a poor 8-22 performance that should've featured more sharing than forcing.

And yes, the Wolverines are fortunate they didn't draw a more balanced opponent in this round.

But it was prepared fortune. Beilein later said that play had three options, and the impulsive Poole -- dude only logged 11 minutes in this game -- was the least attractive of them.

Still, he was the one holding the ball.

 

Michigan was supposed to be the pundits' darling coming outta the West bracket. So far, that's looking to be a challenge, and their path ahead doesn't bode well for grinders.

Forget the seedings. They've been screwed up ever since they were decided.

Florida State's beyond athletic, Gonzaga's tourney-tested, and Texas A&M's no joke.

The Wolverines might be well advised to keep a shamrock or two close at hand.