ANN ARBOR, Mich. _ Michigan remains two weeks away from Selection Sunday.
But after watching Saturday's 82-70 domination of No. 14 Purdue at Crisler Center, it's tough to imagine the Wolverines being left out of the field, even with three guaranteed games remaining, all away from Crisler.
During the Wolverines' recent run, which has now reached five of the past six with two wins over Top 20 opponents, there was always a caveat for the Wolverines (19-10, 9-7 Big Ten).
Wisconsin missed its star, Rutgers pushed them to the brink, Michigan State handed over possessions, on and on.
That made Saturday much more impressive against Purdue, the team widely considered the Big Ten's best, one John Beilein called a national title contender last week.
There were no excuses.
Purdue had the national player of the year candidate Caleb Swanigan, a double-double machine who was outscored by Moe Wagner, 22-9, in the first half _ when the game was still in doubt _ and finished with only five rebounds.
The dominant offense started with an explosive first half and ended the game with a masterful performance, scoring at 1.323 points per possession as U-M shot 54.5 percent from the field, led by Wagner's 24 points.
There was a late threat.
After more than 30 minutes of futility, the Boilermakers (23-6, 12-4) found life and cut the 22-point lead to six with 2:14 to play.
But then Derrick Walton Jr. reminded it was his senior night and made the big play, as he has for the past month.
With the shot clock winding down and U-M suddenly in danger, he leaned in and hit a shot-clock-beating 3-pointer, eventually ending the game with a 17-point, 11-rebound, five-assist shining night.
The win guaranteed at least a .500 record in the league and ensured that U-M will get at least a one-day bye in the Big Ten tournament.
U-M started the second half inviting Purdue back in the game, hitting only 3 of 12 shots to start and missing the first seven 3s.
But the Boilermakers couldn't get it the margin under 11, then the window appeared closed as the Wolverines pushed the margin out to 22.
Michigan began driving the hoop, Xavier Simpson improbably rainbowed a corner 3-pointer, pushing the lead to 18 with 9 { minutes to play at 60-42.
In a season of hot shooting halves, Michigan reminded that potential is still there, especially at home.
U-M tore up the first half, hitting 19 of 29 (65.5 percent) from the floor and was comparably hot from long range, including 7 of 13 (53.8 percent) from long range.
As with most of on-fire halves, it ended in dramatic fashion, with Duncan Robinson hitting a fall-away corner three at the buzzer off the set play.
The unusual part this time was most of it came from one player, a rarity with this team.
Wagner was unguardable from the start, attacking the basket early and drawing a foul on Swanigan and just yo-yoed the Purdue big men all half, inside and especially outside, hitting 4 of 6 on his way to 22 points.
The highest-scoring player first half of Beilein's 10-year tenure _ and the most since Daniel Horton had 24 in a 2002 game _ Wagner turned the pregame question of guarding Swanigan on its head, setting the tone for a season-making win.
