losing and subsequently replacing talent is challenging.

Michigan men's basketball, of course, is navigated to the Sweet 16 without one of its stars,

one of its captains, one of its very best players, Isaiah Livers.

We all know this by now, and of course, Michigan is not and cannot be better over the long

term without Isaiah Lvers in uniform.

But through two games, what Michigan has been able to do is be better than its

opponents without Isaiah livers.

And really, it's not so much about replacing Zay.

It's about adapting.

If you're in a department at work of, say, nine and somebody leaves, just like Michigan's

rotation, you don't just keep seven of the eight people's responsibilities the same. at work of, say, nine, and somebody leaves, just like Michigan's rotation.

You don't just keep seven of the eight people's responsibilities the same and then dump everything

else left over from that ninth person onto the plate of that unlucky person number eight.

No, you share the responsibilities, the additional burdens, you come up with a collective effort.

In the workplace, eventually that person is replaced.

The company moves on to bigger and better things.

But there are no second chances in college basketball, especially not in March.

Michigan not only had to reorganize with one man down, but they had to do it with

the biggest part of the season upon them. You can't bring someone new in, and it's unlikely

that Isaiah Livers will be back in any on the court way over the next couple of weeks.

Yet, in these two NCAA tournament games, you're seeing the recipe, the plan, the distribution.

A dash of more shot attempts for the guards, Mike Smith and Eli Brooks, a starting role and

...