Thanks for showing up, Aggies?

Many times this year, even in games where the final score indicated a comfortable Michigan victory (i.e. the MSU and Purdue tournament games), the Wolverines felt stuck in the mud a bit, only scraping their potential.

Texas A&M got a front row seat to what Super Saiyan Maize-n-Blue looks like. Before we move on to FSU, shoutout to the following people for their responses to the video contest describing Michigan’s victory over A&M.

Commenter @JAZZYCMK: Rowdy Roddy Piper (They Live) - “I’m here to chew bubblegum and kick ass…and I’m all out of bubblegum.”

FSU

Business is far from finished. Florida State, just like the tribe they are named after, is tough as nails. “The Unconquered” is what the Florida Seminole tribe calls itself. Right now, the FSU basketball team is looking to get through the West bracket unconquered.

The Seminoles don’t have the athletes of some of their past couple teams, but they are a long, savvy bunch of veterans who play sound basketball and defend well. Where the Wolverines were able to rattle A&M and wear them out, the Seminoles are a veteran bunch that can run 10-11 deep.

Game Info

Teams: Michigan Wolverines (31-7) vs. Florida State Seminoles (23-11)

Date: Saturday, March 24, 2018

Location: Staples Center — Los Angeles, California

Tip-off: 8:49 EST

Television: TBS

Today’s Question:

Does Michigan take care of business?

In the byline of this thread, I mentioned that the team seems numb to this. Watching interviews and press conferences, the boys couldn’t appear any more calm, cool, and collected. They have a confidence that rarely approaches arrogance - sans a lapse or two from Wagner.

The confidence is in one-another, and it’s in the system. How many shots from this Michigan team feel forced, even when the offense is struggling? They didn’t drop in Wichita but they did Thursday night. My question is whether this is sustainable.

Z won’t get as many steals, but he has been defending at an elite level for a while.

MAAR mentioned having better sight lines in Staples compared to Wichita so while he may cool down, he proved in New York, he can stay hot when he feels an arena.

Matthews just did what he’s done all tournament.

The bench mob has been reliably stable.

Moe is the wild card, right? I’m a vocal believer in “Tourney-Moe”, but Florida State is crazy long. If he’s hot, this team is almost unbeatable.

I’m projecting confidence but this game really scares me. For all of the reasons Michigan’s maturity has paid dividends, Florida State’s has done the same. These are going to be two battle-tested and well-prepared basketball teams.

Go Blue!