Wolverines take down Buckeyes on Senior Day

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Is there a better way to spend Senior Day than beating one of your principle rivals?

The Michigan Wolverines did just that on Sunday afternoon at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes by a 74-62 final on the back of a 17-point performance from Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman and avenged their 71-62 loss to the Bucs back in December.

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Additionally, the Wolverines were boosted by four three pointers from Jordan Poole. Michigan now sits with a 22-7 overall record (11-5 in Big Ten play) and enters the last week of the regular season beginning next week at Penn State.

The Wolverines are just the second team to beat the Bucs in Big Ten play this season other than Penn State.

Abdur-Rahkman was one of four UM seniors honored in a pre-game ceremony, with the others being Duncan Robinson, Jaaron Simmons, and Austin Hatch. It was his 127th game for Michigan, and he combined along with Poole and Zavier Simpson for 45 points on the afternoon. Poole finished 4-of-5 from 3 and 5-of-8 from the field. 

Though Ohio State managed to cut their deficit to three points with just under eight minutes remaining in regulation, Michigan responded with clutch shooting and free throws to seal the victory.

Head coach John Beilein removed Abdur-Rahkman and Robinson during the final minute of play, and they received ovations from the crowd. 

Ohio State was led by Jae’Sean Tate with 20 points and 15 rebounds, while Keita Bates-Diop added 17 points. 

Hatch, part of the UM basketball program on a medical scholarship, participated in warmups for the first time this season, though NCAA rules prevented him from seeing any game action.

It wasn’t all cheers at Crisler Center, as the crowd booed Bucs reserve guard Andrew Dakich every time he had the ball. Dakich, a OSU transfer from Michigan, was matched up by Poole and went 0-3 from the field.