The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1541451
DECEMBER 2025 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 15 ❱ INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS FIVE YEARS AGO, 2020: Michigan men's basketball ran its record to 8-0, 3-0 in the Big Ten with an 84-73 win at Maryland on Dec. 31, 2020. Hunter Dickinson led the way for the Wolverines with a career-high 26 points and 11 rebounds in the victory over the Terps. Dickinson proved nearly perfect shooting the basketball, connecting on 10 of 11 field goal attempts and 6 of 7 free throws for the Wolverines. Michigan put three other players in double figures in the game, as well. Franz Wagner scored 19, while Mike Smith added 16 and Eli Brooks had 10. The Wolverines shot a red-hot 58.8 percent from the floor, 59.3 percent in the final 20 minutes. Back-to-back Wagner three-point- ers established an early Michigan lead at 14-7, four minutes into the contest. Mary- land managed a 6-0 run to pull within four, 26-22, and the visitors clung to a 46-44 lead at halftime. The Terrapins fashioned their first lead of the game early in the second half, but an 8-0 Michigan run put the Wolverines up again, 58-54. Later, a 9-0 U-M surge left Michigan in charge by double digits, 69-59. U-M then pushed the run to 22-4 for a commanding 82-63 advantage. Transfer guard Smith noted Dickinson made his job straightforward. "He's 7-foot-1, it's just that simple," Smith said. "He's 7-foot-1, big body, and likes to score the ball. It makes my job so much easier, just give him the ball and get out of the way." 10 YEARS AGO, 2015: Michigan men's basketball scored a huge road victory at Illinois, 78-68, on Dec. 30, 2015. Mark Donnal and Caris LeVert paced the Wolverines with 26 and 22 points, respectively. Michigan pushed its record to 11-3 by win- ning its Big Ten opener. The Wolverines trailed by three at the half, but put together a big final 20 minutes in rallying to the win. Donnal experienced career highs in points, rebounds (9), blocks (3) and minutes (28) along the way. He scored 18 points in the second half and triggered a 9-2 run early in the second half to put Michigan up. A bigger Michigan surge, 16-4, gave the Wolverines a 61-48 win with just under 10 minutes remaining. They didn't relinquish that lead down the stretch, holding off the Illini in their own building. "It's something I knew I was capable of do- ing, but it definitely felt good to have done it now," Donnal said of his breakout perfor- mance. "There's a burden off my back." 25 YEARS AGO, 2000: Michigan's hockey team began the month of Decem- ber right, traveling to Marquette to knock off Northern Michigan, 6-2, on Dec. 1, 2000. Mike Cammalleri's 2 goals paced the Wolver- ines, who took charge early and never looked back. Both of Cammalleri's goals occurred in the opening 22 minutes of the game, helping stake Michigan to a 4-0 lead. Northern Michi- gan's Bryce Cockburn got two back in the second period, scoring a pair of goals, but Jed Ortmeyer scored late in the second period and Andy Hilbert late in the third to make certain the home team couldn't climb back into the fray. The Wolverines ran their record to 11-3-2 with the win, capturing their third straight victory. U-M assistant coach Mel Pearson ab- sorbed the toughest blow of the night, tak- ing a stray puck on the side of the head and requiring several stitches during the contest. — John Borton THIS MONTH IN MICHIGAN ATHLETICS HISTORY CALL: 800-421-7751 10:00-4:00 ET, Mon.-Fri. Or call 919-688-0218 if outside the continental U.S. Mailing a check? Please call for details. ORDER ONLINE: www.TheWolverineOnDemand.com Scan this QR Code to start your order! Order 24 hours a day from our online store! Written by the staff of The Wolverine, this commemorative magazine celebrates Michigan's remarkable 2023 season and its 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship run. It includes: ❱ Features on Jim Harbaugh, Blake Corum, J.J. McCarthy, Mike Sainristil, the defensive line and the journey to the title ❱ Great photography ❱ Game-by-game coverage ❱ Columns, stats and much more! ❱ 148 full-color, glossy pages Only $10.00 each Save Even More On Bulk Orders! (Sales tax where applicable) Limited Edition. While supplies last! The hardbound books are sold out! Don't miss out on your last chance to own this piece of Michigan history!. 2023 NATIONAL CHAMPS! S P E C I A L C O M M E M O R A T I V E E D I T I O N P r e s e n t s T H E W O L V E R I N E M A G A Z I N E MAKES A GREAT GIFT! WHILE SUPPLIES LAST