BY MATT DE SARLE 

Well, Duke vs. Kansas wasn’t worth writing about.  Between the lack of Duke’s talented freshmen and the underwhelming performances of the other Blue Devil stars, at first it seemed unclear what to make of this first glut of tournament games.

Then the Wolverines sank their teeth into tournament play.

Michigan has some holdovers from its last viable March Madness roster–Zach Irvin, Derrick Walton and Duncan Robinson.  And, at Madison Square Garden, a new influx of rotation players shined.  D.J. Wilson, a thin junior with a wide wingspan, put on an offensive clinic that began with a backdoor cut that finished with a two-handed and-one dunk.  Moments later his 6-10 frame flew on a one-man fast break.

Michigan is tall, balanced, plays defense, and we know is well coached.  SMU is slightly smaller, but just as athletic, if not more.  That all didn’t matter Friday night as Michigan officially jumped onto the AP Top 25 radar in deserving fashion.

Check out this sweet photo by Michael Reaves of Getty, and give him a follow.