Michigan put together an incredible run this week to win the Big Ten Basketball Tournament. The Wolverines team plane skidded off the runway Wednesday, when it aborted take-off due to high winds. No one was hurt but the plane was severely damaged and the team had to regroup and fly out early Thursday morning for a noon game against Illinois. Michigan not only won that (in lopsided fashion--a 20 point blowout) but the inspired Wolverines won the next three, beating top seed Purdue Friday, Minnesota in the semi-finals and Wisconsin Sunday in the championship game.
The victory over the Badgers came seven years to the day of one of Michigan's most heart-breaking losses and one of the most memorable wins for Ohio State. The Wolverines were on the verge of upsetting the Buckeyes in the quarterfinals. Manny Harris had scored with 2.2 seconds left, giving Michigan a two point lead. After a timeout, Big Ten player of the year Evan Turner took the inbounds pass, got just inside midcourt and fired one at the buzzer...Swish... The Buckeyes had survived 69-68, and rode that momentum all the way to the Big Ten tournament title. It was Turner's signature play as a Buckeye and ended any debate on the 2010 college player of the year.
Congratulations to Michigan for what it just accomplished. What a week. And happy anniversary Evan Turner and Buckeye Basketball. Ohio State fans can only hope better times---like these--are ahead. A look back at Turner's shot, as called on ESPN and as seen--from two different angles, from the crowd that day in Indianapolis.