The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1532537
MARCH 2025 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 71 ❱ MICHIGAN BASKETBALL Three Best Players 1. Junior forward/center Danny Wolf The 7-foot Yale transfer has had some ups and downs but has largely been sensational, currently projecting as a first-team All-Big Ten player according to KenPom, along with Purdue guard Braden Smith, Purdue forward Trey Kaufman-Renn, Wisconsin wing John Tonje and Maryland forward Derik Queen. Wolf totaled 10 turnovers in Michigan's two losses over the last nine games (at Minnesota, at Purdue), but has limited them lately, with no more than 3 in any of the last six outings. The versatile big man is averaging 15.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and 2.8 as- sists per game during the Wolverines' six-game win streak. He was big-time in wins over Rutgers, Indiana and Ohio State, playing at a high level in most other games as well. 2. Graduate center Vladislav Goldin The 7-foot-1, 250-pounder is one of the most efficient players in the country. He had a two-game stretch where he played through an illness and wasn't himself, but other than that he's scored and rebounded at a high level, a beast down low. Goldin gave the Maize and Blue 15 points on 7 shot attempts in a win over Oregon, the second of a five-game streak of scoring in double figures. He went off for 20 points on 9-of-13 shooting from inside the arc in a victory at Ohio State, grabbing a whopping 6 offensive rebounds in a gritty effort. A couple games prior, he exploded for 31 points with 3 made threes and 10 free throws in a victory over Northwestern. He's surpassed the 30-point mark twice this season, with his 36-point outburst against UCLA Jan. 7 being the other occurrence. The two-man game between Wolf and Goldin wouldn't be what it is with- out the former's playmaking ability. But it also wouldn't be the same if Goldin couldn't finish at the rim the way he does. 3. Junior guard Tre Donaldson Ranking in the 95th percentile nationally, Michigan has a +19.2 net rating (the difference between points scored and points allowed per 100 posses- sions) with Donaldson on the floor, and only +3.8 without him, according to CBB Analytics. The Wolverines have experienced quite the drop-off when Donaldson is on the bench resting or in foul trouble, without another true point guard. Donaldson struggled in Michigan's loss to Purdue, turning the ball over 6 times, but he was a different player after that experience. He scored 7 points in the final two minutes to lead a comeback triumph over Penn State, dropped 18 points in the win over Indiana and has been steady throughout. Key Play Head coach Dusty May called timeout with 1:50 remaining with his team out of sorts on the most crucial possession of the game, down five points to Penn State Jan. 27. What happened next is one of the defining moments of the 2025 season, even if it may be overlooked when it's all said and done, due to the opponent. Junior guard Tre Donaldson scored (7 points) or assisted (2) on Michigan's final nine points of a four-point victory. After an up-and-down 38:10, the Wolverines finished strong and bounced back from a 27-point loss to Purdue days earlier. Michigan ended on a 9-0 run, and Penn State didn't make a field goal in the final 3:12, missing its last 4 shots. Best Highlight Michigan led Purdue 71-67 Feb. 11 at Crisler Center, with just over 40 sec- onds remaining. Junior forward/center Danny Wolf drove down the left side of the lane and went up for a contested layup that was off the mark, long off the glass and sliding off the rim. Graduate guard Rubin Jones came darting in, though, and threw down a putback dunk. The Michigan crowd went wild as the Wolverines closed out a huge victory, 75-73, over the Boilermakers to take sole possession of first place in the Big Ten. Bold Prediction Michigan's last seven wins have come by four points or fewer, but the operative word is "winning." The Wolverines have put themselves in a great position to win their first Big Ten regular-season crown since 2021, and we predict they will grab at least a share. U-M is the only team in the conference to not lose a home game, and head coach Dusty May's crew has already won six road tilts. The Maize and Blue keep on winning, and they will have to continue to do so down the stretch, to have a lifelong championship bond. — Clayton Sayfie Superlatives For U-M's Nine Games From Jan. 16 To Feb. 16 Grad transfer Vlad Goldin has surpassed the 30-point mark twice this season. Most recently, he went off for 31 points with 3 made threes and 10 free throws in an 80-76 win over Northwestern in late January. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL