Kentucky takes down Michigan to win Midwest Region, advance to Final Four

The eighth-seeded Kentucky Wildcats knocked off the second-seeded Michigan Wolverines in Indianapolis on Sunday to win the Midwest Region and punch their ticket to the Final Four with a 75-72 victory.

The game was tight in the closing moments. Michigan trailed 72-70 with possession of the basketball and attempted multiple three-pointers for the lead. After a wild sequence in which the Wolverines picked up three offensive rebounds in a 13-second span, a Jordan Morgan putback tied the game with 31 seconds remaining.

Kentucky held the ball for the final possession, and Aaron Harrison delivered.

Harrison went scoreless for the first 31:52 of the game, but hit four three-pointers thereafter, including that winner.

Kentucky's star forward Julius Randle had a big game, pacing the Wildcats with 16 points, and chipped in with 11 rebounds for the game's only double-double. Guard James Young scored 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting.

With Willie Cauley-Stein out due to injury, Kentucky forward Marcus Lee really picked up his play. Lee hit on 5-of-7 shots from the field for 10 points, adding eight rebounds, seven of which came on the offensive glass, and a pair of blocks.

Michigan guard Nik Stauskas led all scorers with 24 points on 6-of-14 shooting, adding three assists and a rebound. Forward Glenn Robinson III chipped in 14 points and four rebounds.

Kentucky is back into the Final Four for the third time in the last four years. They will take on Wisconsin in North Texas on Saturday.

Prospect Watch

Julius Randle, F, Kentucky: Randle continues to impose his will in the paint. He'll face a tough test the next time out in the form of Wisconsin's Frank Kaminsky.

James Young, G, Kentucky: Young continued his efficient scoring ways, knocking down three of four shots from beyond the arc.

Willie Cauley-Stein, F, Kentucky: Cauley-Stein missed the game with an ankle injury. He was seen wearing a walking boot and moving around on crutches. No word on his status for next weekend.

Aaron Harrison, G, Kentucky: It took him a while to get going, but after hitting the game-winner, and four three-pointers in the final 8:08 of the game, his early struggles will be forgotten.

Andrew Harrison, G, Kentucky: Another stat-stuffing boxscore - eight points, six assists, three rebounds. He's done a little of everything for the team this season.

Alex Poythress, F, Kentucky: Poythress continues to provide the Wildcats with valuable minutes off the bench, chipping in eight points and three rebounds.

Nik Stauskas, G, Michigan: Stauskas looked like the runaway star of this game at the half after recording 18 points in the first 20 minutes. He finished with a game-high 24 points, but missed his final four shots from the field.

Glenn Robinson III, F, Michigan: Robinson looked tentative in the early going, but he really picked up his play in the second half. He hit a pair of three-pointers down the stretch to keep Michigan within striking distance.