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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Michigan looks to continue run today against Florida

Associated Press

ARLINGTON, Texas – No. 4 seed Michigan (29-7) plays SEC regular-season champion and No. 3 seed Florida (29-7) today for the South Regional title on the raised court at ultramodern Cowboys Stadium.

The Wolverines advanced largely because of Trey Burke, the sophomore and Big Ten player of the year who scored 23 points – all after halftime – as they overcame a 14-point deficit against top seed Kansas. They forced overtime when Burke hit a long tying 3-pointer with 4.2 seconds left in regulation and won 87-85 in overtime.

“Yeah, I was surprised at how far I was,” Burke admitted after seeing multiple replays of the shot that may just become known as the Fab 3.

Burke also had 10 assists, making him the first player to have 20 points and 10 assists in the NCAA round of 16 since 1987. The last to do it? A Providence player known as “Billy The Kid” – aka Florida coach Billy Donovan, who will be on the opposite bench when his Gators play in their third consecutive regional final.

Florida has been to this point each of the last two years, but it hasn’t been further since winning consecutive national championships under Donovan in 2006 and 2007.