No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 3 Texas Tech: NCAA tournament third round game thread

Michigan is still standing, everyone is healthy, and they didn’t struggle to put away a motivated opponent. All good things heading into the Sweet Sixteen. Tonight, back to business. Next up, this guy — er, Texas Tech:

The Wolverines knocked out Hated Recent Rival No One Asked For Florida last Saturday, 64-49, to make it back to the third round. At last they’ll play a team not seen before, but they are very, very good.

Texas Tech blew the doors off of an excellent Buffalo team in their game last week, winning 78-58, and the Red Raiders reclaimed the top defensive efficiency ranking from...Michigan.

Both teams are pretty close in the important statistical metrics, and it’ll be Michigan’s task to figure out how to get some open shots against a strong perimeter defense. Tech hasn’t had as strong of a schedule coming from a weaker Big 12 conference this year, but they score from outside and have several upperclassmen.

KenPom gives a slight nudge toward Michigan as the favorite, but once the NCAA Tournament enters round three, every game is a push. Follow along with the game thread before and during tip-off, all Yosemite Sam gifs and caped cowboy jokes are welcome.

Maize ‘n Brew Question of the Day, going in hard on the cartoon theme: If you had to summarize the Michigan basketball season so far as a cartoon scene/character, what would it be?

Michigan and Texas Tech will tip from Anaheim, California at 9:39 PM on CBS.

*shakes fist at west coast time difference*

Michigan to the Red Raiders later, hopefully: