WICHITA, Kan. -- Other than the final minute of a lopsided quarterfinals victory, Eli Brooks did not see the court during Michigan's four-game Big Ten Tournament run. The one-time starter had been relegated to third-string point guard.
So naturally, with Michigan trailing in the first half of its NCAA Tournament opener on Thursday, John Beilein put Brooks in the game and handed him the ball.
The freshman looked comfortable and confident against Montana, driving baseline on his first offensive possession and shoveling a pass to Charles Matthews for a layup. He drove the other baseline shortly after and dropped in a running floater.