ANN ARBOR, Mich. _ Check another box.
After wiping out two rivals last week, Michigan took down a ranked team Thursday, knocking off No. 11 Wisconsin, 64-58, at Crisler Center.
The best win of U-M's season _ and loudest statement to the NCAA Tournament selection committee _ was Michigan's first win over a ranked opponent since last season's Big Ten tournament upset of Indiana.
The team that was under or at .500 in the league all season got above that mark for the first time with the victory.
Trailing through much of the first half, Michigan (17-9, 7-6 Big Ten) was playing catch up, but with a 9-0 surge in the middle of the second half, U-M grabbed control and then finished off the game.
The dagger came with 1:10 to play when Moe Wagner (21 points) dropped a 3 to push Michigan's lead to 63-54.
About 30 seconds later, Wisconsin star Ethan Happ, who dominated the first half but scored only four points in the second, fouled out, taking the only threat to the bench.
From there, it was a matter of closing. A few missed free throws made it a bit harrowing but they got through it, taking down the first-place Badgers (21-5, 10-3).
After grabbing command of the game with around seven minutes to play, the Wolverines are learning how to close.
Furious defense and a few transition baskets _ a power two-handed dunk by Wagner and a run-out by the resurgent Zak Irvin, who scored 18 _ showed they knew what they were doing.
With the teams inching forward down the stretch, Michigan's big break came with 7:51 to play with the game tied at 47.
Derrick Walton Jr. drove to the basket, drew the defense and fed Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman in the corner for a 3. He was fouled, made the free throw and suddenly U-M had a four-point lead.
When that was followed by Mark Donnal blocking Happ and Irvin hitting a 3-pointer _ after three rough weeks _ the improbable was suddenly possible as the Wolverines capped a 9-0 run to take a 54-47.
Much of it was because of Michigan's defense. Before the Badgers scored again, they had seven empty possessions.
Wisconsin came out of halftime looking to break the game open and a 7-0 run looked like that might happen. But the Wolverines regained themselves and stayed close with defense.
A Walton steal, a few blocks from Wagner and D.J. Wilson on the same possession.
As Irvin heated up for the first time in three weeks _ he had 13 combined points in the previous four games _ including a banked 3, the Wolverines took the lead, 43-42.
While Wisconsin went to halftime leading 31-30, the first half was just about one position.
Michigan center Moe Wagner led the Wolverines with 12 points, but when he was removed after his first foul with 8:23 left in the half, he was replaced by freshman Jon Teske.
Happ sensed the fresh meat and pounced.
In the next two minutes, he erased Michigan's six-point lead, scoring six points and assisting on another basket.
Teske couldn't handle Happ, and even when Wagner and Donnal were in the middle, it was a challenge as Happ had 18 points by the break.
Wagner didn't get a lot of help. Duncan Robinson hit a pair of 3s but the trio of Walton, Irvin and Wilson combined for just eight points in the half, which kept the game close.
