BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — They were all standing in separate corners of the corridor just outside the visitor locker room, fielding questions deep within Assembly Hall.
The 7-footer duo of Vladislav Goldin and Danny Wolf, along with point guard Tre Donaldson, had their best game together as a trio, providing just enough boost to help No. 22 Michigan basketball (18-5, 10-2 Big Ten) win its fourth straight game and escape with another nail-biting finish, 70-67, over Indiana.
U-M will eventually need better production from its role players, most likely sooner rather than later. But, for the time being, the Wolverines are content with their trio, which has evolved into their big three.
“Yeah, they made plays,” said head coach Dusty May, moments after leading his team to victory over his alma mater. “I’m sitting here today feeling really, really great about our performance because those guys made big, big plays down the stretch.”
Wolf scored Michigan’s final seven points, including a scooping layup for a three-point play from the middle of the lane, and added four more free throws in the final 85 seconds to finish with 20 points, nine rebounds, and five assists. Donaldson, meanwhile, scored eight of the first nine points and 14 of his 18 points in the first half to help Michigan build an early 18-point lead.
Despite losing the lead, Goldin helped to hold the line. His lefty hook ended IU’s 8-0 run in the middle of the second half. Soon after, he made a pair of free throws to end Indiana’s 12-2 run after they had cut a 17-point lead to one.
THE GAME:Michigan basketball survives second-half collapse to beat Indiana, 70-67, and keep pace with MSU.
Danny Wolf of the Michigan Wolverines dribbles the ball while being guarded by Malik Reneau of the Indiana Hoosiers during the second half at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Saturday, February 8, 2025, in Bloomington, Indiana.
Goldin finished with 18 points and eight rebounds, and he, Wolf, and Donaldson combined to score 25 of Michigan’s 27 points after halftime and 80% of the team’s total points (56 of 70) in the afternoon.
“Continue to play through each other,” Donaldson said, referring to the key to all three having big games at once. “Obviously, as the big three, we’ve got to keep doing what we do. We have to continue to make big shots down the stretch and guard, but our role players cannot be overlooked.”
Role players contribute
Basketball is about more than just scoring, and U-M’s role players understand this.
Rubin Jones, making his first start since the season opener in place of Roddy Gayle Jr., made just one shot, a 3-pointer at the top of the key to end an 11-0 Indiana run in the first half and restore Michigan’s lead. He also grabbed a big rebound after IU went on a 20-4 run in the second half, followed by a steal a minute later as U-M used a 6-0 run to turn a one-point lead into a 59-52 game.
Michigan coach Dusty May speaks during the Indiana vs. Michigan game on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana.
Will Tschetter, the team’s leader, only played four minutes but made both of his free throw attempts and grabbed a key offensive rebound.
Walters, meanwhile, scored only two points, but they were significant: a slashing drive in which he hit the layup despite a foul to put Michigan up 53-47, the only points scored by someone other than the big three in the second half.
“We’re still trying to figure out our offensive flow and rhythm,” May admitted. “I do think we took a step forward — I thought we had pretty sound role definition for the most part.”
“A team that just has belief”
Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of U-M’s victory was how many things did not go well.
Michigan conceded runs of 11-0, 8-0, and 13-2. The team missed its final 13 attempts from beyond the arc, and it had nearly three times as many turnovers (eight) as assists (assists) in the final 20 minutes, after IU switched to a zone that stifled U-M’s ability to keep the ball swinging around.
In the first half of Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana, Michigan’s Vlad Goldin dribbles the ball while being guarded by Indiana’s Oumar Ballo.
Even so, despite attempting six fewer shots and being outscored 16-8 on the bench, Michigan never fell behind.
“I thought our guys played with great physicality and determination to rebound the ball,” May said, noting that IU normally gets offensive rebounds on 33% of its misses, but U-M limited it to only 22% in that category. “To go 0-for-9 from 3 in the second half is a testament of a team that just has belief that they’re going to figure it out.”
The Wolverines appear to have figured out how to win close.
After losing four games by four points or fewer in its first 17 games, Michigan has now won four straight by four points or less.
“Happy at the University of Michigan”: Dusty May addresses Indiana coaching rumors.
The only exception was when Michigan was blown out on the road by Big Ten leader Purdue. And now the No. 7 Boilermakers arrive in Ann Arbor for a likely top-20 showdown.
U-M wins, and the team finishes the night tied for first place in the Big Ten. A loss would give Purdue a 1½-game lead and the tiebreaker (due to season sweep), making it more like 2½ games in Big Ten tourney seeding.
Michigan made it clear that it was focused on the Hoosiers. Now, behind the big three, it’s time to exact revenge.
Purdue Boilermakers guard C.J. Cox (0) and Michigan Wolverines guard Tre Donaldson (3) dive for a loose ball on Friday, January 24, 2025, during an NCAA men’s basketball game at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Donaldson, who had his worst game of the season in West Lafayette with 11 points, six turnovers, and one assist, had “no comment” when asked about his mindset for the rematch.
Wolf, however, had more to say.
“Obviously everyone knows how that game went,” Wolf said, referring to Purdue’s 27-point victory over Michigan last month. “They got on us early, and we’re lucky to play them twice this year. We’re very excited for the opportunity to reclaim this game and solidify our position in the standings.”