Auburn Hills, MI

The Michigan Wolverines defeated Virginia Commonwealth Rams 78-53 to advance to the NCAA Tourney regional semifinals.

Mitch McGary, a 6-foot-10 freshman, made his first seven shots from the field while setting season highs of 21 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Wolverines. Trey Burke scored 18 points, and Tim Hardaway Jr. and Glenn Robinson III added 14 each.

The Rams entered the day forcing an average of 19.9 turnovers per game, the most in the nation. Michigan was only committing 9.2 per game, the fewest in the nation.

With Burke and Hardaway, Michigan (28-7) committed only 12 turnovers against the Rams' vaunted pressure defense.

Michigan led 38-23 at the break. A dunk and a layup by McGary pushed the Wolverines' lead to 49-33.

Spike Albrecht and Burke connected with 3-pointers and Robinson's dunk in transition made it 57-35. Hardaway made a 3-pointer and an acrobatic reverse dunk for the biggest lead of the game at 64-38.

Juvonte Reddic scored 16 points for VCU.

Michigan heads to Arlington, Texas, to play either Kansas or North Carolina Friday.

The Wolverines are now advancing farther in the NCAA tournament than they have since 1994 with Jalen Rose and Juwan Howard.

Mitch McGary had 21 points and 14 rebounds, and the fourth-seeded Wolverines breezed through Virginia Commonwealth's vaunted pressure with a clinical performance, beating the Rams 78-53 advancing to the NCAA round of 16 for the first time since 1994

Copyright © - All Rights Reserved

Michigan Blasts VCU for Sweet 16 Berth