Last season was about establishing the program.

Michigan maximized a group that had to scratch and claw for a bunch of narrow winds,

almost faded down the stretch, and showed signs of what Dusty May wanted to create on both sides of the ball.

But never that consistent ball-popping offense or a suffocating, lengthy, big defense.

That's why the post-game celebration in Denver last year,

when Michigan knocked off Texas A&M to get to the Sweet 16 was so emotional, water sprayed,

tears shed. Dusty May's voice cracked in his postgame speech, which was mostly centered on Roddy

Gail Jr., who faded in so many ways until he didn't. He rescued Michigan to get him to the second weekend of the dance.

Now, in year two, Michigan is much closer to fully formed the vision that Coach May has,

to the cyborg of a team that suffocates on defense and that surges with a high-tempo offense.

And the Wolverines showcased their confidence in what they have and how they play

by facing a team that mirrored them in so many ways. Entering Saturday, both Michigan and St. Louis

were top 10 in points per game nationally, top 25 in tempo, top two, Billikins 1, Wolverines 2,

and field goal percentage defense, and even both around 200 nationally in turnover rate.

The difference was that the mirror showcased something smaller on the St. Louis side.

Mike Pointe Jr., Michigan assistant, told the team during a Friday film session that this game

would be like playing a smaller version of Michigan.

Confidently, Michigan put on a clinic, almost the entire game offensively,

and really after the first handful of minutes in each half defensively. Michigan kept its distance,

never trailing after the midway point of the first half, and the game never felt nerve-wracking,

even with a magical season on the line. It also didn't have the same type of emotional feel

in the locker room after the game. Coach May started't have the same type of emotional feel in the locker room after the

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