The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1531518
FEBRUARY 2025 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 43 ❱ MICHIGAN BASKETBALL traveling a long way, but the Wolverines made it look relatively easy in beating USC and UCLA. The Wolverines led by as many as 15 points in the second half against the Trojans, taking a 55-40 edge with 16:02 remaining, before allowing an opponent to storm back (an M.O. of this year's squad, but also the nature of college basketball, given the scoring and pace). They got it together down the stretch, though, led by another big game from junior big man Danny Wolf (21 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 blocks) and 16-point games from Burnett and ju- nior point guard Tre Donaldson for a comfortable 85-74 win. Then, the Wol- verines took the fight to UCLA at Pau- ley Pavilion, leading by as many as 18 in the first half before giving the lead away, but then fighting back to domi- nate down the stretch in a 94-75 victory. Goldin dominated the paint on his way to 36 points, and Donaldson hit several triples in U-M's final run to score 20. Michigan fans were present and loud as they were at USC, too, chants of "Let's go blue!" echoing in both arenas at times. Even on what May called a "choppy night," the Wolverines shot 52.7 percent from the floor and 37.9 percent from three-point range in the win over Wash- ington. The U-M offense, ranked No. 13 nationally in efficiency per KenPom. com, is led by Goldin's 15.4 points per game, Donaldson's 12.6, junior Roddy Gayle's 12.5, and Wolf's 12.4. The Wolverines were the top two- point shooting team in the country as of Jan. 13, May noted, proving they have several different ways to score. There's still a long way to go, but May insisted the Wolverines "aren't even close" to maximizing their offensive potential. That's a scary thought given what they've already accomplished, and proof that this team is very likely a le- gitimate Big Ten contender. — Chris Balas NIMARI BURNETT'S RENAISSANCE CONTINUES UNDER DUSTY MAY Graduate guard Nimari Burnett was one of the holdovers from the Juwan Howard era, but much of the offseason hype revolved around the new pieces on the roster and the depth that Dusty May had built in a short period. Now, Burnett is one of the team's most indispensable pieces. The fifth-year guard is playing an off-ball role that better suits him, and with good health and plenty of pieces around him he is thriving in a career season. Through Jan. 13, Burnett was averaging a career-high 10.9 points per game and shooting career-high percentages from the field (56.7) and three-point range (50.7) while starting all 16 games. In fact, after an injury- plagued start to his career at Texas Tech and Alabama, Burnett has started ❱ 2024-25 Michigan Men's Basketball Schedule Date Opponent (TV) Result/Time Nov. 4 Cleveland State W, 101-53 Nov. 10 vs. Wake Forest* L, 72-20 Nov. 15 TCU W, 76-64 Nov. 18 Miami (Ohio)# W, 94-67 Nov. 21 Tarleton State W, 72-49 Nov. 25 vs. Virginia Tech## W, 75-63 Nov. 27 vs. Xavier## W, 78-53 Dec. 3 at Wisconsin W, 67-64 Dec. 7 Iowa W, 85-83 Dec. 10 vs. Arkansas% L, 89-87 Dec. 18 vs. Oklahoma^ L, 87-86 Dec. 22 Purdue Fort Wayne W, 89-58 Dec. 29 Western Kentucky W, 112-64 Jan. 4 at USC W, 85-74 Jan. 7 at UCLA W, 94-75 Jan. 12 Washington W, 91-75 Jan. 16 at Minnesota (FS1) 7 p.m. Jan. 19 Northwestern (BTN) 2 p.m. Jan. 24 at Purdue (FOX) 8 p.m. Jan. 27 Penn State (BTN) 6:30 p.m. Feb. 1 at Rutgers (FOX) 3:30 p.m. Feb. 5 Oregon (BTN) 6:30 p.m. Feb. 8 at Indiana (CBS) 1 p.m. Feb. 11 Purdue (Peacock) 7 p.m. Feb. 16 at Ohio State (CBS) 1 p.m. Feb. 21 Michigan State (FOX) 8 p.m. Feb. 24 at Nebraska (FS1) 8 p.m. Feb. 27 Rutgers (Peacock) 9 p.m. Mar. 2 Illinois (CBS) 3:45 p.m. Mar. 5 Maryland (BTN) 6:30 p.m. Mar. 9 at Michigan State (CBS) 12 p.m. Mar. 12-16 Big Ten Tournament** TBD All times Eastern; * Deacon-Wolverine Challenge at Greensboro, N.C.; # Fort Myers Tip-Off on-campus matchup; ## Fort Myers Tip-Off at Fort Myers, Fla.; % at New York City; ^ at Charlotte, N.C.; ** at Indianapolis Graduate guard Nimari Burnett, at 10.9 points per game, was one of five Wolverines with a double- figure scoring average through the first 16 games. He also led the team in three-point field goals made (35) and percentage (50.7). PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL