After a stunning late-game rally in the Sweet 16, fourth-seeded Michigan ended much of the drama early Sunday, racing out to a 24-point lead en route to a 79-59 victory over third-seeded Florida in the South Regional final before an announced crowd of 36,585 at Cowboys Stadium. RELATED: Stauskas approaches three-point record in rout
BOX SCORE: Michigan routs Florida
Though the victory was more anticlimactic than the 10-point comeback in the final three minutes against top-seeded Kansas, it was equally impressive. Like the Jayhawks, the Gators had been one of the nation's most stifling defensive teams. But that mattered little against the hot-shooting Wolverines and guard Nik Stauskas, who made all six of his three-point attempts in the first half.
Complementing what is arguably the nation's best backcourt (Trey Burke, Tim Hardaway Jr.) is a trio of three freshmen – Stauskas, ever-improving Mitch McGary and Glenn Robinson III – who have drawn natural comparisons to the more highly touted – and controversial - band of five freshmen who captivated the nation when they arrived in Ann Arbor in the fall of 1991.
Not only did Michigan reach consecutive national title games in 1992 and 1993, but the influential and infamous Fab Five transcended the sport. From their bald heads and baggy shorts to their brash, flamboyant demeanor, they ushered in the modern era of college basketball -- and the sport has not seen anything like them since.
NCAA TOURNAMENT: Updated bracket, scores
Both of those Final Four berths were vacated after a lengthy scandal that centered on Chris Webber accepting money from booster Ed Martin. The Wolverines shuffled through a couple coaches – Brian Ellerbe and Tommy Amaker – before finding the John Beilein, the man who would lead them to their first Sweet 16 appearance since 1994.
Since leading West Virginia to an improbable berth in the 2005 Elite Eight, Beilein has carried the reputation as one of the sharpest offensive minds in the game. And Michigan's impressive offensive precision and execution was on full display in the South Region against Kansas, the nation's leaders in field goal percentage defense, and Florida, which had ranked among the nation's top five in defensive efficiency.
With Kansas fans nowhere to be found, thousands of empty seats were visible as the game began inside Cowboys Stadium. But with the way Michigan played from the start, the game may have well been played in Ann Arbor, as Wolverines fans roared throughout.
The Wolverines' hot play in overtime against Kansas continued early against the Gators. They scored the game's first 13 points, which included eight points by McGary. Stauskas had the garden variety behind-the-back bounce pass to McGary for a layup.
The Wolverines made 8 of their first 13 field goal attempts against a team that had held 14 opponents to 50 or fewer points this season.
Midway through the first half, McGary had outscored the entire Florida team, 8-7. McGary, whose value to the team has increased dramatically in the NCAA tournament, made 4 of his first 5 shots from the floor, while the Gators made just 3 of their first 16.
When Beilein led West Virginia to the Elite Eight in 2005, the Mountaineers squandered a 20-point first-half lead against a Rick Pitino-coached Louisville team. It was up to a Pitino disciple, Florida's Billy Donovan, to mastermind a similar comeback Sunday. But the Gators never seriously threatened.
With just under four minutes to play in the half, Stauskas made back-to-back three-pointers from the corner to lift Michigan to a 24-point lead. The Wolverines had seven three-point baskets at that point; Florida had seven made field goals total.
And Beilein's team was on its way to a waltz to Atlanta.
THE BEST NCAA TOURNEY PHOTOS IN ELITE EIGHT 
Michigan Wolverines forward Mitch McGary (4), Nik Stauskas (11) and the bench celebrate as they defeat the Florida Gators 79-59 to advance to the Final Four during the South regional final of the 2013 NCAA Tournament at Cowboys Stadium.
Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Michigan's Glenn Robinson III (1) dunks as Florida's Michael Frazier II (20), Casey Prather (24) and Will Yeguete (15) look on during the second half of a regional final game in the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday in Arlington, Texas.]()
Michigan's Glenn Robinson III (1) dunks as Florida's Michael Frazier II (20), Casey Prather (24) and Will Yeguete (15) look on during the second half of a regional final game in the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday in Arlington, Texas.
Tony Gutierrez, AP Related story Fullscreen ![Michigan's Glenn Robinson III (1) shoots as Florida's Casey Prather (24) defends during the first half of a regional final game in the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday in Arlington, Texas.]()
Michigan's Glenn Robinson III (1) shoots as Florida's Casey Prather (24) defends during the first half of a regional final game in the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday in Arlington, Texas.
Tony Gutierrez, AP Related story Fullscreen ![Michigan Wolverines forward Jordan Morgan (52) tries to tip the ball loose from Florida Gators guard Scottie Wilbekin (5) during the second half of the South regional final game in the 2013 NCAA Tournament at Cowboys Stadium.]()
Michigan Wolverines forward Jordan Morgan (52) tries to tip the ball loose from Florida Gators guard Scottie Wilbekin (5) during the second half of the South regional final game in the 2013 NCAA Tournament at Cowboys Stadium.
Kevin Jairaj, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Michigan's Nik Stauskas (11) misses the pass as Florida's Casey Prather defends during the second half of a regional final game in the NCAA college basketball tournament.]()
Michigan's Nik Stauskas (11) misses the pass as Florida's Casey Prather defends during the second half of a regional final game in the NCAA college basketball tournament.
David J. Phillip, AP Related story Fullscreen ![Florida Gators guard Casey Prather (24) dunks the ball between Michigan Wolverines forward Mitch McGary (4) and Glenn Robinson III (1) in the first half of the South regional final of the 2013 NCAA Tournament at Cowboys Stadium.]()
Florida Gators guard Casey Prather (24) dunks the ball between Michigan Wolverines forward Mitch McGary (4) and Glenn Robinson III (1) in the first half of the South regional final of the 2013 NCAA Tournament at Cowboys Stadium.
Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Mitch McGary (4) of the Michigan Wolverines dunks over the Florida Gators in the first half during the South regional final of the 2013 NCAA Men's tournament at Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.]()
Mitch McGary (4) of the Michigan Wolverines dunks over the Florida Gators in the first half during the South regional final of the 2013 NCAA Men's tournament at Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Ronald Martinez, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![Michigan's Nik Stauskas reacts after making a three-point shot during the first half of a regional final game against Florida in the NCAA college basketball tournament.]()
Michigan's Nik Stauskas reacts after making a three-point shot during the first half of a regional final game against Florida in the NCAA college basketball tournament.
David J. Phillip, AP Related story Fullscreen ![Mitch McGary (4) of the Michigan Wolverines dunks against the Florida Gators in the first half during the South Regional Round Final of the 2013 NCAA tournament at Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.]()
Mitch McGary (4) of the Michigan Wolverines dunks against the Florida Gators in the first half during the South Regional Round Final of the 2013 NCAA tournament at Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Ronald Martinez, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![Wichita State head coach Gregg Marshall celebrates cutting down the net after beating Ohio State 70-66 in the West Regional final to advance to the Final Four.]()
Wichita State head coach Gregg Marshall celebrates cutting down the net after beating Ohio State 70-66 in the West Regional final to advance to the Final Four.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Related story Fullscreen ![Wichita State's Carl Hall, left, celebrates winning the West Regional final 70-66 over Ohio State.]()
Wichita State's Carl Hall, left, celebrates winning the West Regional final 70-66 over Ohio State.
Richard Mackson, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Wichita State head coach Gregg Marshall hoists the West Regional trophy after the Shockers topped second-seeded Ohio State 70-66 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.]()
Wichita State head coach Gregg Marshall hoists the West Regional trophy after the Shockers topped second-seeded Ohio State 70-66 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Wichita State players celebrate after topping Ohio State 70-66 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles to advance to the Final Four.]()
Wichita State players celebrate after topping Ohio State 70-66 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles to advance to the Final Four.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Wichita State's Demetric Williams, right, celebrates after topping Ohio State 70-66 in the West Regional final to advance to the Final Four.]()
Wichita State's Demetric Williams, right, celebrates after topping Ohio State 70-66 in the West Regional final to advance to the Final Four.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Wichita State players celebrate on the bench in the second half of the West Regional final vs. Ohio State. The Shockers won 70-66 to advance to the Final Four.]()
Wichita State players celebrate on the bench in the second half of the West Regional final vs. Ohio State. The Shockers won 70-66 to advance to the Final Four.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Ohio State guard Aaron Craft is defended by Carl Hall (22) and Cleanthony Early in the second half of the West Regional final at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.]()
Ohio State guard Aaron Craft is defended by Carl Hall (22) and Cleanthony Early in the second half of the West Regional final at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Richard Mackson, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Ohio State's Aaron Craft shakes hands with teammate Shannon Scott early in the second half of the West Regional final at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.]()
Ohio State's Aaron Craft shakes hands with teammate Shannon Scott early in the second half of the West Regional final at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Related story Fullscreen ![Wichita State's Carl Hall is elbowed in the chin by Ohio State's Deshaun Thomas as he attempted a shot in the second half.]()
Wichita State's Carl Hall is elbowed in the chin by Ohio State's Deshaun Thomas as he attempted a shot in the second half.
Richard Mackson, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Ohio State head coach Thad Matta reacts during the first half. Wichita State led 35-22 at the break.]()
Ohio State head coach Thad Matta reacts during the first half. Wichita State led 35-22 at the break.
Richard Mackson, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Ohio State's Aaron Craft and Wichita State's Cleanthony Early look to get a handle on a loose ball in the first half.]()
Ohio State's Aaron Craft and Wichita State's Cleanthony Early look to get a handle on a loose ball in the first half.
Richard Mackson, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Wichita State's Carl Hall shoots over Ohio State's Deshaun Thomas.]()
Wichita State's Carl Hall shoots over Ohio State's Deshaun Thomas.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Wichita State's Malcolm Armstead tries to shoot on Ohio State's Amir Williams in the first half.]()
Wichita State's Malcolm Armstead tries to shoot on Ohio State's Amir Williams in the first half.
Richard Mackson, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Ohio State's Deshaun Thomas (1) and center Amir Williams (23) defend against Wichita State's Carl Hall in the first half of the West Regional final at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.]()
Ohio State's Deshaun Thomas (1) and center Amir Williams (23) defend against Wichita State's Carl Hall in the first half of the West Regional final at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Richard Mackson, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Wichita State's Malcolm Armstead tries to shoot over Ohio State forward Deshaun Thomas in the first half.]()
Wichita State's Malcolm Armstead tries to shoot over Ohio State forward Deshaun Thomas in the first half.
Richard Mackson, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Wichita State's Ron Baker goes up for a layup against Ohio State's Evan Ravenel in the first half of their Elite Eight matchup in Los Angeles.]()
Wichita State's Ron Baker goes up for a layup against Ohio State's Evan Ravenel in the first half of their Elite Eight matchup in Los Angeles.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Wichita State's Malcolm Armstead dribbles the ball in front of Ohio State forward Evan Ravenel (30) and Shockers forward Carl Hall (22) in the first half.]()
Wichita State's Malcolm Armstead dribbles the ball in front of Ohio State forward Evan Ravenel (30) and Shockers forward Carl Hall (22) in the first half.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Related story Fullscreen ![Ohio State's Deshaun Thomas shoots against Wichita State's Ehimen Orukpe in the first half of the West Regional final at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.]()
Ohio State's Deshaun Thomas shoots against Wichita State's Ehimen Orukpe in the first half of the West Regional final at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY
