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INDIANAPOLIS -- Michigan coach John Beilein had watched his team blow almost all of a 15-point lead, and he was sure he knew how Tennessee would try to take the lead. With 6 seconds left and trailing 72-71, Cuonzo Martin would probably send the ball into Jarnell Stokes, who would try to back into the post or drive. Beilein urged his defenders to buckle down and keep Stokes away from the rim. Jordan Morgan, who scored 15 points, heeded his coachs advice and stood his ground until Stokes lowered his shoulder. The senior forward immediately crashed to the floor -- perhaps embellishing the contact -- but drawing the call that saved the game for Michigan and infuriated Tennessees "Rocky Top" contingent. Big Ten player of the year Nik Stauskas of Mississauga, Ont., made a late free throw and nobody was more relieved than Beilein when Jordan McRaes 70-foot heave fell harmlessly to the floor as the buzzer sounded on a 73-71 Michigan victory. "We got just enough stops," Beilein said. Tennessee thought they got one stop unfairly. "With the magnitude of this game, I dont think you could call a charge at that point," McRae said dejectedly after scoring 24 points. But the officials did call it, allowing Michigan to reach a second straight regional final. The Wolverines (28-8) have won 10 of their last 11, none as tenuous or excruciating as this one to set up a Sunday showdown against eighth-seeded Kentucky, the 2012 national champion. The Wildcats won 74-69 over fourth-seeded Louisville, which beat Michigan in last years national championship game. Tennessee almost pulled off one of the most stunning comebacks in recent regional memory. With 10:55 to go, Spike Albrechts layup gave Michigan a seemingly insurmountable 60-45 lead. When Stauskas made the last of his three 3-pointers with 3:40 to go, the Wolverines still led 70-60. Stauskas finished with 14 points. For some reason, Michigan went into panic mode and, just two weeks after nearly blowing two big leads in the Big Ten tournament, they nearly threw this one away. The Volunteers staunch defence limited Michigan to just one basket over the final 3:40 and forced four turnovers in the final 97 seconds to give themselves a chance in the closing seconds. "I dont think I fouled him," said Stokes, who had 11 points and six rebounds after two straight double-doubles. "But it was a smart play for him to try to take the charge. He pretty much anticipated it." Just as Beilein had predicted. For most of the night, Michigan relied on its shooting stars to stay in control against a defence that had allowed just 54.0 points in its previous eight games. The Wolverines took a 13-point lead in the first half and still led 45-34 at halftime because they were shooting 61.5 per cent from the field and made 7 of 9 on 3-pointers. Michigan didnt slow down early in the second half, either, taking the biggest lead of the game at 60-45. But somehow Tennessee played itself right back into the game. The 11th-seeeded Vols, who had a first-round game in overtime at Dayton, Ohio, just to start their surprising post-season run, cut the deficit to 62-56 with 6:45 left. They got within 72-67 when McRae completed a three-point play with 1:56 to go. They made it 72-69 when Josh Richardson scored the last of his 19 points on a layup with 24.6 seconds left. McRaes layup following another Michigan turnover made it 72-71 with 10.8 seconds remaining. So when the officials ruled Michigans Caris LeVert caught the ball with one foot on the baseline and 9.6 seconds left, Martin made the smart call by giving Stokes a chance to win it with a basket or draw the foul. "We got the ball to Jarnell. Jordan set a screen for him to get him right to isolate him, attack him in the middle," Martin explained. "Obviously we got the ball where we wanted." However, the call went against them. "We heard all week about they had mismatches and how we couldnt guard them inside," Morgan said after letting out a scream at the end. "Were not really soft around here. Thats not who we are." Mark Andrews Jersey . According to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger, it doesnt appear the offer was warmly received by the team. Blue Jackets director of hockey operations John Davidson and general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said on Wednesday the team has made offers of $6 million for two years, $32 million for six and $46 million over eight years but each one was refused by the restricted free agent centre and agent Kurt Overhardt. Jonathan Ogden Womens Jersey . A night later, he was back to help lead a rout of the Detroit Pistons. John Wall had 20 points and 11 assists, and Beal scored 10 of his 15 points during the second quarter as Washington pulled away for a 106-82 victory on Saturday. http://www.cheapravensshoponline.com/Youth-trace-mcsorley-ravens-jersey/ .C. -- The Charlotte Bobcats said head coach Steve Clifford underwent a successful procedure Friday to have two stents placed in his heart. Jonathan Ogden Ravens Jersey . (AP) -- The head of the committee that developed Major League Baseballs plan to expand instant replay says he is optimistic the system will be in place this season, even though owners and unions for players and umpires have yet to approve. Ben Powers Jersey . -- Chris Crawford hit a 3-pointer with 1:36 left to put Memphis ahead to stay, and the 21st-ranked Tigers beat seventh-ranked Louisville 72-66 Saturday, sweeping the season series from the Cardinals.Got a question on rule clarification, comments on rule enforcements or some memorable NHL stories? Kerry wants to answer your emails at cmonref@tsn.ca. Kerry, Thanks to you and TSN for providing us NHL fans with this fabulous column! Now - I was hoping you could comment on the Chris Kreider net crash on Carey Price in Game 1. Initially, everyone (including Michel Therrien and Brandon Prust) labeled it as a hockey play with an unfortunate outcome. Days later, they began laying blame once Prices availability was lost. Now Im NOT asking whether the refs erred on the call. Im simply interested on your call or take on the incident. If you were still working in the NHL, how would you have called it? CMon Ref! (corny, but couldnt resist - LOL). Thanks,TerekWhistler, BC Terek: Injuries are an unfortunate byproduct of the job and a risk that every player willingly assumes. When an injury is sustained, its not only very disappointing for the player to deal with but when it involves a key player such as Carey Price, the loss can also devastating to the fortunes of a team. You dont replace a player like Price and his absence will surely test the mettle of his Montreal teammates left standing with their best player out of the lineup. The Hab continent has a huge obstacle to overcome in finding a way to beat this hungry and confident NY Rangers team tonight in Madison Square Garden. For that to happen, PK Subban and company will first have to penetrate a wall in the form of Hendrik Lundqvist a mere 178 feet from their goal crease guarded by littlee know Dustin Tokarski.dddddddddddd With the man they the King poised between the pipes the Rangers net probably looks more like 178 miles away. Michel Terrien and Brandon Prusts initial assessment of the play was correct in that it was a hockey play. There was no deliberation on the part of Chris Kreider to initiate contact with Price as the Rangers speedster went hard to the net to make a play and then lost his balance following a chop to his right ankle by Alexei Emelin. In the post-game press conference Coach Therrien said he thought the play was "accidental, honestly," and Kreider said he "just had too much momentum and couldnt really avoid him. It didnt feel too good for me either."Terek, I would have ruled the play on the ice no differently than I did from my couch and deemed the contact by Chris Kreider on Carey Price as completely accidental. It would appear that I could count on agreement of this decision from referee Steve Kozari, Michel Terrien, Brandon Prust and Chris Kreider at the very least. It was a very unfortunate accident and injury sustained by Carey Price. Prices Montreal Canadien teammates will have dig deep tonight and stick with a game plan of speed and high tempo energy from the opening puck drop to take the Garden crowd out of the game and shift the momentum in their favor. Dustin Tokarski will have to give them a chance to win. It is then up to the Habs skaters grit, guts, determination and skill to find a way to penetrate King Hendriks Court 178 feet away. ' ' '
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