MICHIGAN forward Moritz Wagner (13), guard Jordan Poole (2), guard Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman, top left, and guard Duncan Robinson (22) celebrate during the second half of the team's NCAA men's college basketball tournament regional semifinal against Texas A&M on Thursday in Los Angeles.

MICHIGAN forward Moritz Wagner (13), guard Jordan Poole (2), guard Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman, top left, and guard Duncan Robinson (22) celebrate during the second half of the team’s NCAA men’s college basketball tournament regional semifinal against Texas A&M on Thursday in Los Angeles.

LOS ANGELES

Michigan took all the drama out of this NCAA Tournament victory, burying Texas A&M under a barrage of 3-point shots.

After reaching the round of 16 with an improbable buzzer-beater, the Wolverines shot 62 percent from the floor and routed the Aggies 99-72 in the West Region semifinals on Thursday night to advance to the Elite Eight for the third time in six years.

Next up the Wolverines will face No. 9 seed Florida State on Saturday at Staples Center for a trip to the Final Four.

The Wolverines (31-7) dominated from start to finish, hitting 14 3-pointers — 10 in the first half when they led by 29 points — and extending their winning streak to 12 games.

“Felt like we ran into a buzz saw,” Aggies coach Billy Kennedy said. “It seemed like everything they shot went in.”

Muhammad-Ali Abdur- Rahkman scored 24 points, Moe Wagner added 21 points and Charles Matthews had 18 points as third-seeded Michigan had five players in double figures.

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“My shot went in early and it gives you the confidence to take the next one,” Abdur-Rahkman said. “I think everyone had that confidence today.”

Abdur-Rahkman made four 3-pointers and both of his free throws, and had five rebounds and seven assists.

“This senior right here played his tail off in every single way,” Michigan coach John Beilein said.

The Wolverines were good in the first half and even better in the second. The rout was on by halftime with Michigan leading 52-28 after shooting 57 percent from the floor. In the second half, the Wolverines improved to 68 percent from the floor.

“It was kind of hard to see because I was just wondering when they were going to miss,” Aggies guard Admon Gilder said.

Michigan won its second-round game to reach the Sweet 16 on freshman Jordan Poole’s long 3 at the buzzer against Houston.

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The Aggies (22-13) never made a run, going long stretches without a basket in the first half while Michigan was scoring on nearly every trip down the floor.

Poole hit the Wolverines’ first 3-pointer two minutes into the game. During one stretch, they made 3s on three consecutive possessions that extended their lead to 25-10 and had the predominantly Michigan crowd chanting, “Let’s go Blue!”

UP NEXT — Michigan will be looking for its eighth trip to the Final Four and first since 2013.

The Aggies head home with a 13-15 all-time record in the NCAA Tournament.


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