Michigan basketball. Wow

Who are these guys anyway? The ones that looked maybe a little bit better than average during the regular season, or the ones that have looked unbeatable since the Big 10 conference tournament started?

A #3 seed that needed a last second semi-miracle shot to slip past #6 Houston, or the beasts that just put a colossal 27 point beat down on Texas A & M in the Sweet Sixteen? The same A & M that had thrashed North Carolina by 20+ points just a few days ago?

The UM -- A & M game was effectively over by halftime when the Wolverines had maintained a 25-30 point lead throughout the first 20 minutes of action. Three pointers rained down on the Aggies heads like confetti. They had to be wondering the same thing. Who ARE these guys? Nobody can shoot like that.

But they did. Very impressive stuff.

Now UM awaits the winner of the Flor. St. -- Gonzaga game for a shot at going to the Final Four. Currently, the Seminoles are nine points ahead of the Bulldogs at halftime.

Thing is, UM capable of beating either of them, if they shoot and defend like they did against A & M. They're also capable of losing to either of them if they aren't at their best.

FSU, a mere #9 seed, has already roared by knocking off #1 seed Xavier. And in recent times, tiny little Gonzaga, a private school tucked away in Washington state, has most definitely proven they can play with the "big boys". If memory serves, they made it all the way to the Finals just last year before succumbing, barely, to the above mentioned North Carolina.

In a possible Final Four match-up, either Kentucky or Kansas St. is going to come out of the South bracket. Both are quite good, but also quiet beatable as well.

If UM can get that far. The Elite Eight match-up against either FSU or the Zags will be no pushover.

And yes, Villanova and Duke, both blue-chip programs, still lurk in other brackets. As does Purdue, for that matter, and they beat the Wolverines twice earlier this year.

But that's getting way ahead of things.

Regardless, Michigan and their fans can be right proud of what they've accomplished this year. Not long ago, few considered them to be serious contenders for the title. But sometimes a team just gets on a roll at the most opportune time.

Could they -- gasp -- win it all? Probably still not likely. But they're as good as anybody when they're playing well, so they have a decent shot.

And that's all they can ask for.