For Michigan’s Glen Rice, It’s a Can’t-Miss Situation

SALT LAKE CITY —  Glen Rice’s shooting hand had a cut that required eight stitches, but he knew from the start that this was his day.

“The feeling I had was I couldn’t miss,” the 6-foot 9-inch junior said after scoring 39 points, one short of his career high, to help No. 10-ranked Michigan defeat Florida, 108-85, Saturday in the second round of the NCAA West Regional.

Before Rice was finished, he’d made 16 of 24 field-goal attempts, including all 3 of his three-pointers.

Rice cut his hand while reaching inside a dishwasher last Sunday.

He tore the bandage off at halftime.

Loy Vaught added 22 points and 15 rebounds, while All-American guard Gary Grant scored 19 points and had 11 assists for the Wolverines, who advanced past the second round for the first time in four straight tries.

Michigan (26-7) will play North Carolina in the semifinals Friday at Seattle.

Michigan shot 68.4% in the first half and out-rebounded the Gators, 22-11. Overall, the Wolverines shot 64.7% to 49.3% for the Gators and controlled the rebounding, 42-26.

Vernon Maxwell, the No. 2 all-time scorer in the Southeastern Conference, scored 23 points for Florida.