The Defense Region
Midwest Region
Michigan's #1 defense
(1) Michigan -- Michigan's #1 ranked defense suffocates every opponent. The Wolverines grind through a defensive gauntlet, beating Iowa State's #4 defense 58-52 in the Elite Eight -- the game of the tournament.
Midwest Region
Region Path: Michigan to the Final Four
(1) Michigan over (16) UMBC
UMBC was the first 16-seed to ever beat a 1-seed (2018 vs Virginia). Lightning doesn't strike the same spot. Michigan's #1 defense in the nation smothers whoever emerges from the play-in.
(1) Michigan over (9) Saint Louis
The nation's #1 defense rolls past Saint Louis. Michigan's elite defensive unit doesn't give 9-seeds enough clean looks to stay competitive.
(1) Michigan over (4) Alabama
Michigan's #1 defense clamps Alabama's now-depleted scoring. With Holloway's absence devastating their backcourt, Alabama can't generate enough offense against the nation's best defensive unit.
(1) Michigan over (2) Iowa State
THE game of the tournament. Michigan's #1 defense vs Iowa State's #4 defense. Low-scoring slugfest. Michigan's superior offensive efficiency (#8 vs Iowa State's lower ranking) is the tiebreaker. Michigan grinds it out 58-52.