UMHoops contributor Bill St. John was on hand for Matt Vogrich’s rematch with Illinois commitment Brandon Paul. Lake Forest managed to hold on for a 66-64 overtime win. Here are Bill’s notes:
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Not even below zero wind chill could keep over 3500 plus from filling the Warren Township gym for round two against visiting Lake Forest and Michigan bound Matt Vogrich. Warren won the the last matchup 70-62 in overtime led by their star and Illinois commit Brandon Paul. This one had all the ingredients to be a special one and it didn’t disappoint.
There isn’t a defense Vogrich hasn’t seen this season. Straight man, every variety of zone and of course the box and one, diamond and one, triangle and two etc. Tonight Warren executed what could only be called the thug defense. Two different players were dispatched to guard #13 and it looked like they were getting ready for spring football. Matt was shoved, held, elbowed and consistently knocked off his feet by some cheap shots. I’ve watched him four times this year and tonight I got a glimpse of what all Michigan basketball fans can be very excited about, he got up kept his composure and flat out competed the whole night.
Both Vogrich and Paul traded baskets and were easily the best players on the floor in a very physical first half. Matt would drive and score, Brandon would pull up from anywhere and hit a 3. It looked like the game would go to the locker room tied at 27 then from NBA range Paul hit a 3 at the buzzer to give Warren a 30-27 advantage. Paul and Vogrich shared first half scoring honors with 15.
The second half started with a Paul three point play and a very athletic drive for a score by Vogrich. Other players started to get involved and no team had more than a three point lead in the 3rd quarter which ended in a 44-44 tie. The fourth quarter was back and forth athlete against athlete as the two stars carried their teams.
There were 6 lead changes until Warren finally looked like they had captured momentum when they took their largest lead of the night 53-48. Lake Forest then went on a 7-0 run behind 5 straight from Vogrich which included two free throws and a deep three. The atmosphere was phenomenal as both sides of the gym took turns erupting. Free throws tied the game at 56 with 1:23 left and a Lake Forest timeout.
When the two teams came onto the floor the Warren coach switched his defensive assignments. Paul hadn’t guarded Vogrich the entire night, until now. They knew who was getting the ball and thought the more athletic guard could disrupt his timing. Vogrich took the inbound pass on the left wing, turned and saw who was guarding him and then BLEW past him for a strong finish and a foul. The LF fans went NUTS and the Warren fans couldn’t believe what just happened. For those of you who haven’t seen Brandon Paul he is a tremendous athlete with great strength and amazing three point range. Make no mistake, he was schooled on that drive.
Vogrich missed the free throw and Paul hit one of two the next time down the floor. Vogrich was fouled again with 11 seconds on the clock and hit both for a 60-57 lead. The student section promptly broke into The Victors as Warren called timeout. Everyone in the gym knew who was taking the last shot. Paul brought the ball up the floor and pulled up from 24 with Vogrich in his face…… net. Tied at 60 and going to what else, overtime. In the overtime it seemed like they replaced the game ball with one that was greased because it was loose ball mania.
Then with 2:51 left in OT Paul fouled out. His totals, 27 pts. 11 rebounds. Warren did their best to scrap but it wasn’t enough as Vogrich hit two free throws with 6.9 left to seal it 66-64.
Vogrich finished with 35pts. 13 rebounds, 11-15 from the line and had some very strong and timely rebounds in traffic in the fourth quarter.
He was flat out a warrior tonight. They tried to get him off his game with the thug tactics in the first half but in only made him that much more focused. I loved what I saw and look forward to a great career in Ann Arbor the next four years. Well done, Matt.
Awesome report, thanks! Love the part about the LF student section singing The Victors.
Yeah that really was a great report – made me think I was actually there for the game.
I don’t know about you guys, but I’m more excited for Vogrich at this point than Darius Morris. It seems like Morris isn’t playing against a ton of upper-echelon talent, whereas Vogrich is facing the very best every night. Vogrich is also putting up insane numbers, though stats can be a little misleading depending on surrounding talent.
Having said that, I’m still pumped to see both guys in the maize and blue next season.
Wow, that was a fun read. Nicely done.
Thanks for the report. I was going to try to get up there for the game as well, but I was swamped in work.
If Vogrich takes his confidence from the burbs to the big stage of the Big Ten, we’re in for something special.
Great report. I was watching some recruiting guru on ESPN the other day. He was asked for a player to watch outside the top 100 and he immediately responded Matt Vogrich. Good news for the Maize n’ Blue.
Matt sounds like he has some legit game, I can already hear ” Morris to Vogrich for 3…” Must say I cannot wait. Hopefully we can get a exciting recap about Blake McLimans one day so I will feel good about that get.
Great Report Vogrich seems to be getting better. El Capitan I’m sorry but I read ur comment and I have to disagree. Darius’ Windward team has faced the #2 team in the nation Westchester and is constantly facing teams that include other D1 players on the regular and endured one of the best tourneys in the nation the Maxpreps Natnl Invitational and their rivals C-Hall have 4 D1 players on it as compared to 1. Morris is still putting up great numbers while sharing the rock with UCLA bound teammate Anthony Stover. So I cant agree that just because Matt played well vs one Illionis recruit Paul that he is playing great competition Sorry. I’m pretty sure Darius’ windward squad would smash Vogrich team anyday