With less than two minutes to go and the national championship in the balance, the ball found its way into the hands of Michigan freshman guard Trey McKenney. He isn’t just any freshman though — McKenney is as confident, mature and steady as any freshman in the nation, so it wasn’t a coincidence he was the one taking the biggest shot of the season.
The Flint product prepared his entire life for moments just like this. From being named Michigan Mr. Basketball and earning McDonald’s All-American honors as a senior in high school to receiving All-Big Ten freshman recognition this season, McKenney was more than ready for the moment. Even if it just so happened to be on college basketball’s biggest stage.
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After hustling back on defense to contest a critical layup attempt, McKenney eventually got the ball back with about two minutes to go, 22 seconds left on the shot clock and Michigan leading 62-56. McKenney had a decision to make. Most players, especially freshmen, would have dribbled towards half court to run time off the clock — but not McKenney.
Instead, McKenney stepped back, set his feet and let go the biggest shot of his life.
Nothing but net.
McKenney was poised as he drilled the dagger into the UConn Huskies’ hearts and sealed Michigan’s first national title in 37 years — nearly two decades before he was even born — with a shot that instantly goes down in Wolverines lore.
“Once I pump faked and stepped back, all I saw was me and the rim. That’s what you put the work in every day for,” McKenney said during Michigan’s championship celebration at Crisler Center on Saturday. “After the shot, I didn’t hear the crowd at all. I just blacked out totally. It was a great experience and a moment that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
McKenney’s national championship-clinching bucket will certainly go down as one of the most memorable moments of a truly unforgettable season, as well as one of the biggest shots in program history. Now, McKenney is set to run it back next season and already has his eyes set on returning to the Final Four — this time in Detroit.
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“Going into the summer, it’s the same goal,” McKenney said. “We’re trying to get back to Detroit next year.”