tly, with on-loan Barcelona midfielder Alex Song providing the

MILWAUKEE -- While Michigan didnt have a particularly pretty start to its NCAA tournament, coach John Beilein felt his team proved a point to the rest of the field on Thursday night. Yes, they can play defence too. Glenn Robinson III scored 14 points in the arena his father used to call home in the NBA, Jordan Morgan added 10 points and 10 rebounds, and the second-seeded Wolverines held No. 15 seed Wofford to 34 per cent shooting in a 57-40 win. "We were able to get a win basically with our defence today," Beilein said, "and thats something a lot of people wouldnt say if they watched us this year." However the method, what mattered most was that Michigan is still in the hunt to return to the Final Four in spite of pesky Woffords best efforts. Michigan (26-8) capitalized on its decisive edge in athleticism on the undersized Terriers (20-13) but had some nervous moments after missing 15 of their first 18 shots in the second half. Karl Cochrans 3 with 9:25 left whittled an 18-point deficit to 40-33 -- the only 3 Wofford hit all night. But the Wolverines regrouped, and Caris LeVerts 3 with 4:17 left gave them a 15-point lead to deflate Woffords dreams of an upset. "We know were pretty efficient offensively. Most times we dont have trouble scoring the basketball," said Morgan, whose hustle in the paint helped turn away Wofford. "We know were only going to go as far as our defence carries us." When it counted, Michigan exerted its will on an overmatched opponent. Shooting 1 of 19 from 3-point range didnt help Wofford, either. But the Terriers knew they were heavy underdogs coming into the game, and they exit the NCAAs with an appreciation of simply getting into the tournament. When players were asked why they shot so poorly from behind the arc, forward Lee Skinner spoke up first and said "I dont shoot from the 3-point line" before drawing some smiles. A 39 per cent shooter from long range on the season, Cochran finished with 17 points on 1-of-10 shooting from 3-point territory on Thursday and 8 of 21 overall. "Some nights unfortunately the ball doesnt drop in the basket," he said. "Unfortunately we just faced a tough night from the 3-point line." Nik Stauskas had 15 points for the Wolverines, while Robinson hit big shots in the same arena his father played in while with the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1990s. The elder Robinson, sitting in the Bradley Center stands, surely was impressed with Wofford, the Southern Conference champions who hustled to the final buzzer. Michigan opened the second half shooting 2 of 12, and Cochrans 3 with 9:25 left got Wofford within seven points. Even the crowd broke out into a "Lets Go Wofford!" chant. "Hats off to them," Beilein said. "I was a coach that was today very concerned about how well they would guard us, and they did." As if flipping on a switch, the Wolverines then turned up their intensity. Morgan glided in for a basket and Robinson followed with a tip-in. "Inside, they were a bigger team, they were physical," Skinner said. After a missed jumper by Spencer Collins, LeVert hit his 3 from the top of the circle to get the lead back to 15. Michigan shot 33 per cent in the second half after shooting 63 per cent in the first. Fortunately for Beilein, his defence held firm. He said it was an emphasis in practice all week. "That probably was our best defensive performance overall for everybody," said Beilein. The spunky Terriers fell well short of their goal of the perfect game required to have any shot at taking down Michigan, though they played with energy most of the night and never seemed intimidated. "You always have to keep an optimistic mindset, especially in an off night," Cochran said. Smiling two seats away, coach Mike Young appreciated the positive vibes. "Im beaming with pride with these guys sitting to my left and their accomplishments," he said. "So, well walk out of here with our head high." Michigan was never truly threatened in spite of Woffords second-half spurt, leading 34-20 at halftime thanks in part to 11 points from Robinson. Richaun Holmes Jersey . -- Alex Anthopoulos spoke volumes with what he didnt say on right-hander Ervin Santana. Elie Okobo 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. http://www.officialsunsfanstore.com/jamal-crawford-suns-jersey/ .B. -- Canadas Rachel Homan had ideal preparation for the playoffs at the Ford World Curling Championships with a pair of hard-fought wins over tenacious opponents Thursday. Mikal Bridges Suns Jersey .J. - The New Jersey Devils know the odds are against them as they chase a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Elie Okobo Suns Jersey . The D-Backs came into being in 1998 and appear destined to finish second in the AL West after the Tsunami that is the Los Angeles Dodgers swept over them. I thought it might be interesting to see what the D-backs have done over their 16 years compared to what the Blue Jays have done over their past 16 campaigns.LONDON - Aston Villa ended a six-match losing streak and snatched a vital point in the Premier League, holding on for a hard-earned 0-0 draw against West Ham on Saturday.West Ham dominated and had plenty of chances to win at Upton Park, but sloppy finishing and resolute Villa defending prevented the home side from scoring.It was a really great point, Villa manager Paul Lambert said. To come to a ground where Liverpool and Manchester City have been beaten recently, its a massive point for us.The Hammers squandered numerous opportunities, with midfielder Stewart Downing and striker Enner Valencia forcing fine saves from Villa keeper Brad Guzan, and Diafra Sakho heading several times over the crossbar.Guzan kept out a goal-bound header in injury time from substitute Andy Carroll, playing his first match of the season following an ankle injury.West Ham started confidently, with on-loan Barcelona midfielder Alex Song providing the industry, and Downing the craft.The first real cchance of the match, however, fell to Villa as striker Gabriel Agbonlahor skipped past James Collins only to blast over the bar from close range.ddddddddddddVilla centre backs Ron Vlaar and Nathan Baker stoutly marshalled the visitors defence. But West Ham soon found space on the flanks following the type of probing and patient buildup play not normally associated with manager Sam Allardyce.West Ham nearly had a winner, but fullback Carl Jenkinson headed straight at Guzan as the east London team continued to press and carve out chance after chance.We couldnt have done anything more in terms of chances created, Allardyce said. Our finishing was a little disappointing considering how good its been this season.The result ended an appalling run of form for Villa, which lost six consecutive matches after beating Liverpool on Sept. 13. Villa is two points above the relegation zone in 16th place with 11 points. West Ham provisionally moved into 4th with 18 points. ' ' '