The Michigan Wolverines led the Indiana Hoosiers 41-28 at halftime of their Big Ten Tournament game on Thursday. By the end of the game, they’d squandered that lead and lost the game, potentially costing themselves a spot in the NCAA Tournament in the process.
And in Juwan Howard’s first game back from his handshake line fight suspension, no less!
Indiana with a crazy comeback to stun Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament (and in a double-bubble game)! 🏀 #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/ZYzAEcI810
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) March 10, 2022
Both the Wolverines (17-14) and Hoosiers (19-12) came into the game looking to cement their spot in the tourney, and you could make the case that Indiana accomplished that goal with the win.
Indiana now has FOUR clear wins against the field: Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Purdue. For the first time since 2016, the Hoosiers should be in the NCAA Tournament.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 10, 2022
You can thank Trayce Jackson-Davis (24 points) and Xavier Johnson (17 points) for leading the way on the comeback, though the Wolverines didn’t exactly help their own cause down the stretch. Not only did they not score a field goal for an entire 11-minute stretch, but bone-headed plays like the one below helped seal the deal.
https://twitter.com/MrMatthewCFB/status/1501991497192906759
Given the extreme nature of the comeback, not to mention the epic collapse by Michigan, there were some pretty strong reactions on social media from college basketball folks. Some were ready to call out the Wolverines for finding a way to lose while others praised the Hoosiers for never giving up.
Michigan blows a 17-pt 2nd half lead over Indiana in Juwan Howard's 1st game back after suspension, possibly falls off the NCAA Tournament bubble. pic.twitter.com/HIcTBBuBr4
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) March 10, 2022
From emotional meltdowns to second half meltdowns.
Welcome back, Coach Howard!!
— Fireball sommelier (@Sheehan_Sports) March 10, 2022
STUNNING collapse by Michigan in the second half. Could this be win that gets Indiana in? How about Michigan?
What a finish.
@stoolbenchmob
— Jake Marsh (@PMTsportsbiz) March 10, 2022
https://twitter.com/NicoleAuerbach/status/1501992296790831113
I know Indiana is fighting for their NCAA tournament life….but ya can't blow a 17 point 2nd half lead to a mediocre team.
If Michigan loses this game, that's pretty unacceptable.
— WC (@WolverineCorner) March 10, 2022
Indiana wins its first game against Michigan since 2016.
The Hoosiers were getting run out of the gym, and then they don't allow a Michigan field goal in an 11-minute span.#SPOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORTS#MARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRCH
— Matt Zemek (@MattZemek) March 10, 2022
THIS INDIANA-MICHIGAN GAME. pic.twitter.com/bZzKOvibwM
— College Sports Only (@CollegeSportsO) March 10, 2022
The Hoosiers now have the chance to pad their resume even further as they take on No. 1 seed Illinois. As for the Wolverines, they’ll have to hope that a lot of things fall their way, unlike what happened in the second half of this game.
