Indiana Basketball: Top 10 games of the decade, #2

As the Indiana basketball team rolls into the new decade its time to take a look back over the past ten years. We rank the top ten games of the decade and today we look at number two.

We have been taking a look back at the top ten games of the past decade for the Hoosiers basketball team. They have been overtime games and last second layups. But the first eight games, in my opinion, don’t even come close to the top two games of the decade.

The last two games on the list were incredible games when you factor in the opponent, the importance of the game, and sheer excitement. They are games that Hoosiers will remember for a long time.

We take a look at game number two today.

Indiana 72 Michigan 71

Ann Arbor, MI – March 10, 2013

The Hoosiers entered the game needing a win to secure their first outright Big Ten Championship in two decades. The Wolverines came in ranked 7th in the country and looking to gain a tie of the title with a win.

Indiana had beaten the Wolverines 81-73 a month earlier when Michigan came to Assembly Hall ranked number one. This game the Hoosiers were second in the country and the Wolverines were seventh.

Michigan was led by eventual National Player of the Year in Trey Burke, while the Hoosiers were led by Cody Zeller and Victor Oladipo. It was a great collection of talent on one court and turned it into a great basketball game.

Michigan looked like they were going to grab a share of the title for most of the game, but Zeller wouldn’t let it happen.

The first half was controlled by Michigan throughout but a mini-run to end the half kept the Hoosiers within three at the break.

The second half was much of the same until the very end when it looked like the Wolverines were going to take control and pull out the victory. Michigan took a five-point lead with 52 seconds to play, but Glenn Robinson III missed the second of a 1-and-1 that would have put them up by six.

From there it was Cody Zeller time. He would score the next six points and Michigan would miss two straight front ends of 1-and-1’s for the Hoosiers to take the lead. The last points came on a Zeller layup with 13 seconds left.

That set the stage for the final seconds and two great opportunities for the Wolverines.

Burke’s layup went just off the rim and Jordan Morgan’s tip-in attempt rolled just off the rim and the Hoosiers pulled out the dramatic 72-71 and claimed the Big Ten title.

Zeller finished the game with 25 and 10 rebounds and dominated Michigan inside. But the way he took over in the last minute was something the Hoosier fans will remember for a long time.