From Steve Kornacki at MGoBlue.com:
SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- The University of Michigan knows what it wants to do in its Final Four semifinal game against Loyola Chicago. It wants to get on a roll, and understands just how to go about doing that.
Senior guard Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman said he and his men's basketball teammates "are feeding off one another" on the court, and if they are doing that Saturday (March 31) in the Alamodome, the Wolverines will be in a zone to do damage.
Abdur-Rahkman explained why they are able to play so well off each other.
"We're so close," he said. "So, you want to see your brother do well. When your brother's doing well, it boosts your whole attitude. It just makes you go out there and play even harder. You are playing for each other. We're not selfish, and when everybody believes you are going to make your next shot, the shots start falling."
Jordan Poole believed the spark for the offensive explosion in U-M's 99-72 win over Texas A&M in the Sweet 16 game in Los Angeles was directly connected to his game-winning 32-foot shot that beat Houston in the Wolverines' second-round game in Wichita, Kansas.
"After I hit the shot to send us to the Sweet 16," said Poole, "I came in and hit the first three (against the Aggies), and everybody was still excited. They got super ramped up, and it triggered everyone else to making threes. They had that swagger and confidence and it led to a big-time win."
The Wolverines made 14-of-24 threes with a .583 shooting percentage that was the highest of the season.
"That's normally how it is," said Poole. "We play off positive vibes, and it keeps everybody in a state of mind where everything is positive. We find ways to feed off each other whether it's a blocked shot or something else. We find positive energy."
Forward Mortiz Wagner, best known as "Moe," further explained the "feeding off one another" connection.
"We talk to each other," said Wagner. "When I hit a three, he (Abdur-Rahkman) sticks his tongue out at me. When he hits a three, I stick my tongue out at him. That's why this team is so much fun. We have joy together and it's a real special team to play with.
"We are just so connected on the court. Nobody has any personal agendas on the court. Now, we will talk to each other. When you mess up, you're going to hear about it. But it's nothing personal. It's how we love one another."
Click for more on the story courtesy of MGoBlue.com.