The hopes of Michigan Basketball making the NCAA Tournament have taken a significant hit after a devastating 75-73 overtime loss to Indiana on Sunday. The Wolverines put up a valiant effort, mounting a 39-13 run in the second half to take a 12-point lead. However, Trayce Jackson-Davis had other plans, putting up an incredible performance with 27 points, nine rebounds, and six assists in his final home game to lead the Hoosiers to victory.

Michigan’s chances of making the NCAA Tournament are now dwindling, and their only option may be to win the Big Ten tournament and receive an automatic bid. They will enter the tournament as the eighth seed, and their first game will be against Rutgers if Northwestern loses.

Michigan Basketball Struggles out of the Gate

Michigan’s Jett Howard hit a 3-pointer on the first possession of the game, but the Wolverines went cold from the field soon after. Indiana went on a 10-0 run, and Michigan struggled to score, making just one of their next eight shots. Hunter Dickinson and Dug McDaniel made back-to-back floaters to stop the bleeding, but Michigan went without a field goal for the next seven minutes, allowing the Hoosiers to build a 27-13 lead.

An Impressive Close to the Half

Michigan managed to close the first half with an impressive 14-2 run, hitting their final six shots of the half. Bufkin hit a mid-range jumper, and Dickinson scored eight straight points, burying a 3-pointer and completing a three-point play. Michigan trailed 29-27 at halftime.

Picking Up Where They Left Off

Michigan started the second half strong, with Bufkin hitting a contested mid-range jumper to tie the game. McDaniel then found Howard for a transition 3-pointer, and Michigan took the lead. After Jackson-Davis tied the game with a three-point play, Bufkin and Howard hit back-to-back 3-pointers to extend the lead to 38-34.

Michigan’s Largest Lead

Michigan continued to extend their lead, with Dickinson adding a slam dunk to put them up 42-34. Howard and McDaniel then made consecutive 3-pointers to give Michigan their largest lead of the game at 52-40. However, Indiana mounted a comeback, and Jackson-Davis led the charge, scoring six of the next eight points to get the Hoosiers back within seven.

The Comeback

Indiana then went on a 10-1 run to get within one point, and they took their first lead since halftime when Jackson-Davis hit a turnaround with less than two minutes left. Michigan’s Jalen Hood-Schifino hit a 3-pointer to tie the game with a minute left in regulation, but both teams missed chances to win the game in regulation.

Overtime

Indiana scored the first six points of the overtime period, but Dickinson responded with a 3-pointer to cut the deficit in half. Jackson-Davis missed a turnaround with 30 seconds left, giving Michigan another possession. However, Michigan’s play design out of the timeout had Bufkin feeding the ball into Dickinson in the post to try and get a quick two, but Race Thompson swiped it. Michigan had one last chance to tie the game, but Bufkin tried to pass to Dickinson at midcourt, and the ball rolled away as time expired.

Looking Ahead

With the loss, Michigan Basketball finishes in a tie for fifth in the Big Ten and will enter the conference tournament as the eighth seed. They will face Rutgers in their first game if Northwestern wins, or the winner of the Wisconsin and Ohio State game if Northwestern loses. Michigan’s chances of making the NCAA Tournament.

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