U-M notes: D.J. Wilson plays role of starter, closer vs. Louisville
His opening offensive flurry and his game-clinching free throws and block lifted Wolverines in upset victory
INDIANAPOLIS — As 6-foot-10¾-inch D.J. Wilson raced down up court, the ball looked small in hands.
It was early in Michigan’s 73-69 NCAA tournament second-round win over Louisville and Wilson was charging up the right side.
When he took only two steps to cover about 10 feet before laying it in, Louisville realized the challenge of guarding Wilson.
That came not long after he opened the game with a 10-foot jumper, scoring the Wolverines’ first six points.
Though Michigan rarely designs much offensively for him, Wilson sensed they needed a spark and he was aggressive.
It didn’t get any better for the Cardinals after that as Wilson was a problem from tip to buzzer, on his way to 17 points and three blocks, finishing the game with four straight free throws and the game-sealing block.
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That followed the Oklahoma State game that he sealed with free throws as well.
“I don't feel any (pressure) really,” Wilson said. “Everybody is confident in my ability knocking down free throws down the stretch. I'm confident in myself. So that's really all I need. I think (Friday) when we played Oklahoma State, I think that really helped me. So when I went to the line, I just had to have confidence.”
He and Moe Wagner (a career-high 26 points) carried the Wolverines to 40 points in the paint and down the stretch, the two walked upcourt after a whistle, hugging as they realized victory was coming.
“Me and Moe, we're real close, especially off the court,” Wilson said. “We're roommates. So I don't know. We just got, like I keep saying, confidence with one another. I don't know. We kind of — our play is kind of contagious out on the floor. I feed off his energy. He feeds off mine.
“Down the stretch, when we pulled out the victory, I was as happy as I could have possibly be, and I seen Moe right there so I just embraced him.”
Donnal: There was a stretch in the first half when U-M coach John Beilein had Wagner with a foul and needing to get Wilson a break. So he sat both of them.
It was a risk leaving Mark Donnal as the lone big man, but it paid off.
Donnal hit a three-pointer at one end and then had a block at the other, sustaining Michigan with crucial minutes, knowing Wilson and Wagner would be needed down the stretch.
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“It felt good coming off the bench and giving guys energy,” Donnal said. “My job is to do that and going out knocking down that first shot and getting that block sparked the energy level of everybody else and kind of get things going.”
Though Donnal has transitioned from a starter last year to a bench player this year, he’s had a few key moments.
“He’s always ready whenever we call him,” U-M guard Derrick Walton Jr. said. “He’s just consistent with his effort.”
Pregame speech:
Michigan assistant Billy Donlon’s pregame speeches have ranged from furious to energetic to insightful.
Sunday’s was personal.
He circled the room and handed each player a printed photo of the player with his family.
“It reminded us that we were playing for more people than just the players and the coaches in this locker room,” U-M forward Sean Lonergan said. “We’ve got a lot of people supporting us and that our families have taken this journey with us. It goes back to the whole perspective thing that we’ve been learning about and recognizing throughout the past couple weeks.”
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