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Posted on Sat, Feb 19, 2011 : 8:51 p.m.

Tim Hardaway Jr. leads Michigan basketball team to 75-72 overtime victory at Iowa

By Michael Rothstein

Hardaway Jr-Tim (2010-11).jpg

Tim Hardaway Jr.

Updated 8:51 p.m.

IOWA CITY — Tim Hardaway Jr. stood at the free-throw line late in overtime, his team’s hopes against Iowa -- and of keeping their faint NCAA Tournament hopes alive -- hanging on what he did.

In a game where the freshman from Miami did little wrong, could hardly miss a shot or make a bad decision, there was little question what would happen.

He made both.

The free throws with 15 seconds remaining in the Michigan basketball team's 75-72 win in Iowa City on Saturday night were fitting after the way Hardaway carried the Wolverines to their fourth road win of the season.

It was Hardaway who lifted his team early in the second half when they needed him the most. He scored 11 of Michigan’s first 16 points in the second half as the Wolverines erased a 10-point deficit and became, for a while, the focal point of the team's offense.

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“I just said, 'Go make a play, man. Go make a play,’” junior guard Zack Novak said. “I say that to him the whole game. Especially going down the stretch, I just kept saying ‘Go make a play.’”

He did. Over and over again.

With 6:27 left in the second half, Hardaway exploded in transition, making a one-handed dunk and drawing the foul. His free throw gave Michigan (17-11, 7-8 Big Ten) a 53-46 lead — a stark transition from a first half where everything went wrong for the Wolverines.

In the final minutes of the first half, Michigan had four starters — Hardaway, Novak, Darius Morris and Jordan Morgan — on the bench with two fouls. John Beilein picked up his first technical of the season. And the Wolverines trailed Iowa (10-17, 3-12) by eight, 32-24.

ANNARBOR.COM THREE STARS

  • First Star: Tim Hardaway Jr.
    The freshman from Miami had a career-high 30 points, 22 of which came in the second half, when his team needed them the most. He hit two critical free throws to give Michigan a 3-point lead in overtime. He also had the game's most athletic play, a one-handed dunk in the lane while being fouled. He's turning into Michigan's best player — and one of the better players in the league.

  • Second Star: Jordan Morgan
    The redshirt freshman forward made two free throws with 12.2 seconds left in regulation to tie the game for Michigan, the biggest free throws the 52.7 percent foul shooter had taken in his life. He scored 18 points, grabbed eight rebounds and was an efficient 6 of 7 from the field. But those free throws might have been two of the most critical shots of the season for the Wolverines.

  • Third Star: Darius Morris
    The sophomore point guard grew up a little bit more, calling some plays on his own when Michigan was in trouble and making sure the Wolverines fed Hardaway as much as possible. After achieving a triple-double against Iowa earlier this season, he came close again with 20 points, nine assists and five rebounds.

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Although Stu Douglass, the only Michigan starter not in foul trouble, said the locker room was positive, Michigan couldn’t have known it was merely the set-up for the Hardaway Jr. show.

Hardaway scored 22 of his career-high 30 points after halftime, the most a freshman has scored in a Big Ten game this season, even more than National Player of the Year candidate Jared Sullinger at Ohio State. Sullinger scored 40 points in a non-conference game against IUPUI, but has a high of 27 against Illinois in Big Ten games.

Michigan found Hardaway constantly, exploiting a mismatch that allowed the 6-foot-5 freshman to have a multitude of options.

“We saw we had a mismatch with Jarryd Cole guarding him, I don’t know why, but I guess that was their gameplan,” Morris said. “They put him on him, we knew Tim was quicker and could use his quickness to get in the lane.

“And if he doesn’t get over the screen on time, he can knock that three down. Until they put another defender on him, let’s keep going and getting him the ball.”

Hardaway did a lot, but he had help at the end. Hardaway, Morris and Morgan combined to score 68 points, including all 41 points the Wolverines scored in the second half.

Morris finished with 20 points, nine assists and five rebounds. Morgan had 18 points, eight rebounds and what he called the two most critical free throws of his life.

A 52.7-percent free throw shooter entering the game, Morgan hit a pair with 12.2 seconds left in regulation, tying the game at 65-65 and sending Michigan and Iowa into overtime for the third straight year in Iowa City.

It was those free throws that convinced Beilein to select Morgan, and not Hardaway, to sing The Victors in the locker room after Michigan picked up a win that kept the Wolverines’ NCAA Tournament hopes alive.

The Wolverines have won six of their last eight games and are finding rhythm as the season is winding down.

Hardaway had a lot to do with that Saturday as Michigan went to him time and time again.

“We did there for a little bit, we would have been stupid not to,” Beilein said. “He was making everything. He was making everything.”

He made three of his four shots from 3-point range in the second half and overtime. He made all seven of his free throws after halftime, including those two with 15 seconds left in overtime to give Michigan its final margin of victory.

And here’s the scary part for opponents: Hardaway didn’t think this was the best game he’s played.

“Not at all,” Hardaway said. “I still think I can still rebound more. It doesn’t stop here.

“I still have a lot to work to do.”

Michael Rothstein covers Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2558, by e-mail at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com or follow along on Twitter @mikerothstein.

Comments

heartbreakM

Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 9:19 p.m.

Guess I hit a nerve with some people. One of you claimed that I was the type of person who did not like Merritt and Lee. In reality, I was very high on both of those players during their years and thought they were incredible team leaders. But part of it was that they didn't try to do more than they could, and they both played great team D. What does Douglass do to lead this team? With his stats the other day at Illinois, he essentially lost the game. 3-12 or something (from 3 point territory)? We lost by two. When you are shooting as miserable as that, (and have done that for 3 years), you don't hog that many shots. You actually shoot less to "put the team into a better position to win" to paraphrase another critic of mine. If you are shooting so low percent of 3 pointers, you hurt your team!! I just expect more of him at this point. And Novak plays with heart and is fine. He does not try to do too much, but I would think both of them should be better B10 players at this point. And the comments of how young this team is an indictment of the lack of production that Novak and Douglass give. The OSU seniors and juniors are doing a lot more than ours at this point.

Tim Belcher

Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 3:47 p.m.

@heartbreak...If every player we have were to play in "spurts" as you claim Novak does, no team could match us for energy and heart on the court. Zach Novak is the heart of this team.

Rob Pelinka

Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 3:45 p.m.

hearbreakM apparently you don't know anything about the team concept. Big deal that O U's biggest star is a freshman? Have you looked at the rest of their 6 man rotation? Lighty is a 5th year senior that has been to a final four, Deibler is a senior, Lauderdale is a senior and Buford is a junior. Novak and Douglass were low ranked last minute recruits for a new coach and you expect them to lead this team to the promise land with the youngest team in the Big Ten and one of the youngest in the country? Keep posting lame comments!

heartbreakM

Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 9:21 p.m.

I actually expect as much from Douglass and Novak as OSU gets from their upper class people. I believe very strongly in the team concept, and I think at this point, the two juniors should be performing better (especially Douglass who came in as supposedly the best 3 point shooter in the midwest).

heartbreakM

Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 1:43 p.m.

For those who always use the excuse that we are a "young team", well, look at OSU--their biggest star is a frosh. Many teams are like that. We have 2 juniors who are supposed to be most experienced players out there, having grown into the Big Ten game, maturing bodies, etc. Well, at least one (Douglass) has still not shown that he deserves to be starting let alone in the Big Ten and the other (Novak) plays in spurts. When are they finally going to step up and lead this team? Why is it that Hardaway and Morgan have to be doing it? If Douglass can't score or contribute, he should not be playing 35 minutes a game. Is that coaching or on the player? I don't know personally.

cnorman

Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 4:21 p.m.

you may not understand this but novak/douglass came to this program when NOBODY----NOBODY would come. they are not all-americans. novak at 6'3 or whatever he is---butts heads and elbows with guys 5, 6, 7 inches taller. NOBODY works harder. stu has developed into a competent ball handler and calming influence on young players -----and sometime shotmaker. look at the turnover numbers and compare to any of the previous regimes. a large part of that is coaching but it is also a tribute to kids who know and understand the game. rather than ripping either or both----they deserve plaques when the new practice building is opened.

48104

Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 3:55 p.m.

You apparently don't understand much about leadership. It's not about who scores the most points, it's who puts everyone in position to do their best. Two years ago it was Merritt and Lee who led the team to the NCAAs. People like you were sure the team would be better without them. I guess you've forgotten last season's leaderless team. This team has greatly outperformed expectations and a great deal of that has been leadership and team play, which was sadly lacking last year.

81wolverine

Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 1:25 p.m.

All I can say is Wow! (About Tim Hardaway Jr.) What an impressive player. Michigan got the steal of last year's recruiting class IMO. He's just getting more confident and more consistent with each game. And give Jordan Morgan a ton of credit. His free throws near the end may have won this game for us. People should immediately STOP calling him a "project" player. He's only a redshirt freshman and playing much better than that. Down the road, Morgan is going to be an impressive Big Ten front line player. Now if we could get a lot better scoring out of our two juniors, Novak and Douglass we'd really be doing well!

JK in OH

Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 3:04 a.m.

Good win for a young team on the road. Looking forward to two more championship teams (f-ball & b-ball) in the near future. Still don't understand Coach B's decision not to put full court pressure on the opposing team late in the game. Against IA and IN he did the same tactic and gave each team extra time time to run their offense. If we can full court press during the game, why not the last 15 seconds? Reminds me of a prevent defense in football. Doesn't he remember the O$U in game during the B-10 tourney last year?

Mick

Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 12:51 a.m.

I see your point Tater man, but didn't it bug you when he made those moves and we're up 14-4? Why at that point? That's all I'm saying. We are young and he deserves credit for us winning as much as we have. It's just my heart, you know, the faster beating of the heart and all.

vi4mi4

Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 12:48 a.m.

..good, gritty win.. Wolverine vs. Badger wednesday.. Go Blue! v

tater

Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 12:43 a.m.

Another thing I can't help notice: why on earth would anyone complain about the coaching? This is a young team that just got a big win on the road. Iowa did trounce MSU earlier this year, IIRC, so it's not like they are a bad team, either. Beilein has done a great job with the players he has. They are growing and learning as the season progresses. They are playing very good team ball, especially for their age. Beilein deserves consideration for Big Ten Coach of the Year.

tater

Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 12:40 a.m.

It's a good sign when a team is holding its own in the Big Ten with three "stars" who are barely old enough to shave. The foundation is being set for a very good program down the road. As for this year, though, I'll stick to my guns. They aren't as good as they look when they are winning, and they aren't as bad as they look when they are losing. They are still learning and still growing. But it is looking like they may have already learned a lesson at Illinois. After the loss earlier this week, any coach )except Bobby Knight) would tell a team not to hang their heads and to keep playing hard becuase eventually those late shots start to fall and the late breaks start to go your way. That is pretty much what happened against Iowa. At any rate, it's been a very enjoyable season so far.

cnorman

Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 12:33 a.m.

michael-----this time find a star for stuey. 42 minutes with only two turnovers and held the team together when the starters were all sitting----especially before half.

Mick

Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 12:32 a.m.

Another thing I forgot to mention, Hardaway was given 3 stars s a high school player. Really? Seems more like a McDonald's All-American to me. Just one more example of how recruiting is a guessing game many times.

Mick

Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 12:34 a.m.

that shoulda read "as a high school player" oops.

Mick

Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 12:27 a.m.

Even though we won this critical game, I still found myself feeling frustrated by the coach. I just don't understand what Beilein is thinking sometimes, we have a 14-4 lead early and we're hitting on all cylinders, and what does he do? He proceeds to substitute a couple of integral players, a hot shooting Hardaway for one, and Iowa goes on a 28-10 run the rest of the half. His moves caused the team to play out of whack the rest of the 1st half and we had 4 guys playing at the end of the half that hardly ever play. Talk about over coaching. These are the types of things that really drive me nuts and concerns me about the BBall team. However, we won and that's what matters. I'd love to see us win at least our 2 home games left. We've played well in Minny before also, so who knows. This team has a good shot at going to the tourney. One more thing, I think Hardaway is going to be one of the all-time greats at U-M, I love his game. He'll be a better pro than Sullinger, who won't be able to dominate because of his size alone, although he is great player, I believe Hardaway has a better upside. Good win boys, Go Blue!!!

EyeHeartA2

Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 6:13 p.m.

I think RR was calling the shots through an earpiece.