Abdur-Rahkman, Dawkins keep U-M's NCAA hopes alive

(Photo: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports)With Michigan in danger of throwing away its season, two unheralded players stepped up to save it.

Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman showed the fire and Aubrey Dawkins had the outside touch as Michigan won an essential game Wednesday night, 72-63, over Northwestern at Crisler Center.

This was a critical win, not because it was a statement, but it prevented a bad loss. At this point in the season, for a team on the NCAA Tournament bubble, that’s a primary consideration.

Northwestern entered the game as the No. 108 RPI team, which would have been 30 spots lower than any U-M loss this season.

Having Abdur-Rahkman was essential.

When the rest of the Wolverines…