Michigan basketball shocks Texas A&M with big second half to advance to Sweet 16

In one of the most thrilling and unexpected games of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, the Michigan Wolverines stunned the Texas A&M Aggies with a dominant second-half performance, erasing a significant deficit and securing a 76-67 victory. This shocking turnaround propelled Michigan into the Sweet 16 and sent the Aggies home, leaving fans and analysts alike to wonder how the game slipped away from Texas A&M after such a promising first half.

The game, played in a packed stadium with a vibrant atmosphere, featured two teams that had been on strong runs through the tournament. Texas A&M, led by head coach Buzz Williams, had been the higher seed and was widely considered the favorite heading into the game. With a roster full of talent—including standout players like Tyrese Brooks, Henry Coleman III, and Quenton Jackson—the Aggies were expected to continue their march toward a potential Final Four berth. Meanwhile, Michigan, under head coach Juwan Howard, had come into the tournament as a lower seed, but with a history of tournament success and a talented, young squad led by Kobe Bufkin and Jett Howard.

What transpired in the second half, however, was a basketball masterpiece from Michigan. The Wolverines, known for their gritty defense and high basketball IQ, outscored Texas A&M by 20 points in the second half, slowly chipping away at the Aggies’ lead and then taking control late in the game. Here’s how the game unfolded and why Michigan’s second-half surge was one of the most impressive comebacks in the tournament.

First Half: Texas A&M Dominates Early

The game began with Texas A&M coming out strong, asserting their physicality on both ends of the court. From the opening tip, the Aggies played with purpose, and they seemed to control the tempo. Texas A&M’s defense was stifling, and their offense was running smoothly, with Tyrese Brooks leading the charge. Brooks, known for his ability to score at all three levels, was hitting shots from beyond the arc and getting to the basket with ease. The Michigan defense had no answer for his offensive versatility.

Meanwhile, Henry Coleman III was a force in the paint, grabbing rebounds and finishing around the basket. The Aggies looked every bit the team that had been ranked among the top in the SEC all season, and Michigan seemed unable to slow down the tide. Despite Michigan’s best efforts to push the pace, the Wolverines were struggling to match Texas A&M’s intensity, especially with Kobe Bufkin and Jett Howard unable to find much space against the Aggies’ aggressive defense.

By the time the first half ended, Texas A&M had built a comfortable 41-29 lead. The Aggies’ defense had held Michigan to just 39% shooting from the field, and they were winning the battle in the paint. It seemed as though Texas A&M was on track to cruise to a victory and move on to the Sweet 16. But as history has shown time and time again in March Madness, no lead is safe, and the second half would prove to be a different story altogether.

Second Half: Michigan’s Unbelievable Turnaround

The second half began with a noticeable shift in Michigan’s approach. Coach Juwan Howard made subtle adjustments to his team’s offensive and defensive schemes, and it didn’t take long for the Wolverines to start making their move. While Texas A&M’s defense was still effective at times, Michigan began to find cracks in the Aggies’ armor and exploit them.

One of the first signs of Michigan’s resurgence came in the opening minutes of the second half when Jett Howard knocked down a couple of key three-pointers. The sharp-shooting freshman had been quiet in the first half, but he started to find his rhythm early after the break. As his shots began to fall, the Aggies were forced to adjust their defense, which opened up driving lanes for Michigan’s other offensive weapons.

Kobe Bufkin, who had struggled to get going in the first half, began to assert himself more aggressively. Bufkin, who has the ability to drive to the basket or pull up for a mid-range jumper, started to break down the Aggies’ defense with his skill and poise. His ability to score in a variety of ways gave Michigan the offensive spark they needed, and the momentum began to shift in their favor.

On the defensive end, Michigan ramped up the pressure. The Wolverines switched to a more aggressive full-court press, forcing Texas A&M into turnovers and rushed shots. Tyrese Brooks, who had been the star in the first half, suddenly found himself facing double teams whenever he touched the ball. Michigan’s length and athleticism on the defensive side of the floor created chaos for the Aggies, who were not accustomed to the intensity Michigan brought in the second half.

As Michigan continued to apply pressure, they cut the deficit to just five points, 46-41, with 14 minutes left. This marked the beginning of a dangerous shift. Michigan’s defense was suffocating, and their offense was flowing smoothly, while Texas A&M began to show signs of frustration. The Aggies’ shots started to miss, and they were no longer able to control the pace of the game as they had in the first half.

Michigan’s run was punctuated by Hunter Dickinson, the Wolverines’ star center. Dickinson, who had been relatively quiet in the first half, became a key figure in the second half. Standing at 7 feet, Dickinson was an imposing presence in the post, and his ability to finish inside helped Michigan close the gap. He scored several key baskets in the paint, often using his size and skill to overpower the Aggies’ defense.

With just under 10 minutes left in the game, Michigan had tied it up at 54-54, completing a 25-13 run to open the second half. The crowd, which had been mostly in favor of Texas A&M, began to sense the momentum shift, and the energy in the building was electric. The Wolverines had seized control of the game, and Texas A&M was on the ropes.

The Aggies had a brief opportunity to respond, but they were never able to recover. Michigan’s defense remained impenetrable, and they continued to make smart, efficient plays on offense. Bufkin added a few more crucial baskets, and Howard knocked down another three-pointer to put the Wolverines up by five with less than five minutes remaining. The Aggies, who had looked so dominant in the first half, were now in danger of being ousted from the tournament in stunning fashion.

In the final minutes, Michigan’s defense turned up the heat even further. Texas A&M’s frustration was palpable, as they missed several key opportunities to trim the lead. The Wolverines’ full-court press forced the Aggies into rushed shots and turnovers, and Michigan made sure to capitalize on every mistake. As the clock wound down, Michigan’s lead grew to 10 points, and the Aggies were unable to recover.

The final score was 76-67, as Michigan completed their remarkable comeback to advance to the Sweet 16.

Key Players and Performances

While the second half as a whole was a team effort for Michigan, several individual performances stood out.

• Kobe Bufkin: Bufkin was the driving force for Michigan in the second half. After a quiet first half, he exploded for 18 of his game-high 24 points in the second half. His ability to attack the basket and hit crucial mid-range shots made a massive difference in the game. Bufkin also contributed with five assists and played excellent defense on the perimeter.
• Jett Howard: Howard, the freshman sharpshooter, was instrumental in Michigan’s comeback. He scored 16 points, with four three-pointers, all of which came at key moments in the second half. His shooting spread the floor for Michigan and forced Texas A&M to adjust defensively.
• Hunter Dickinson: The big man in the middle, Dickinson was dominant in the post in the second half. He finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds, including several crucial baskets during Michigan’s late run. His size and skill in the paint were too much for Texas A&M’s defense to handle in the second half.
• Tyrese Brooks: Brooks had a strong first half, scoring 15 points and leading the Aggies to their halftime lead. However, he was largely neutralized in the second half by Michigan’s defensive adjustments. Brooks finished with 19 points but struggled to find open looks down the stretch.
• Henry Coleman III: Coleman, who had been a key part of Texas A&M’s success all season, was also affected by Michigan’s defensive pressure. He contributed 10 points and 7 rebounds but was unable to impact the game as he had earlier in the tournament.

The Impact of the Loss on Texas A&M

For Texas A&M, the loss was a devastating blow to a promising season. The Aggies had played some of their best basketball in the tournament, but Michigan’s second-half explosion exposed some of their weaknesses. The inability to execute offensively when the game was on the line and the failure to respond to Michigan’s defensive pressure were key factors in their downfall.

Head coach Buzz Williams will undoubtedly look at the film and focus on the team’s inability to handle adversity. The Aggies will have to learn from this experience and focus on becoming a more balanced and disciplined team moving forward.