As Sunday's game against Northwestern came to its conclusion, I was reminded of something

that was more baseball related. It seems like in baseball, when a defensive player makes an error,

or maybe there's a recent defensive substitution, the ball tends to find that player.

It's almost a prove its spot, either to make up for it or to prove you belonged in the game in

the first place. The Wolverines on Sunday were in almost a carbon copy of the same situation that

they had on the road Thursday at Iowa. Against the Hawkeyes, Michigan was up seven with about two

minutes to play. Same juncture against the Wildcats, it was a nine-point game and what had been a seesaw type of a game.

The Wolverines were unable to deliver a victory against the Hawkeyes on Thursday.

It was a gut-wrenching loss, probably the most difficult one of the season for Michigan.

Three days later, the Wolverines were in a similar situation. And there's no denying that it was not a flawless finish for Michigan.

The Wolverines missed some free throws.

They committed a few turnovers down the stretch, 18 a season high, all told against a thievery-like Northwestern team that loves to force turnovers.

Yet, Michigan did on Sunday what they were

unable to do against the Hawkeyes three days prior. They closed. It was Michigan's first

Big Ten victory by single digits. The Wolverines improved of four and six in single digit games.

And while there are plenty of could-of-should-ofs

from the past for Michigan,

this was a step forward.

This was a huge victory earned.

And the way that they did it,

considering what had just happened

less than 72 hours earlier,

...