There’s something different when the Big Ten Tournament shifts to CBS on Saturday afternoon. The bubble teams have gone home, the field is almost set, and the best teams in the league duke it out in a perfect appetizer for the real thing next week.
Michigan and Maryland exchanged heavyweight blows in a wild and topsy-turvy affair. It wasn’t a perfect night for either team, but there were perfect stretches for both. Big runs were the name of the game. The Wolverines went on an 18-0 run that spanned halftime, but the Terps responded with two killshots in the second half.
The big man talent on the floor was enough to make NBA scouts drool. Derik Queen racked up 31 points from what felt like every spot on the floor. Danny Wolf and Vlad Goldin combined for 46 points, 24 boards and four assists on the other end.
Big shots, dramatic plays, and maddening calls. Everything was on display for 39 minutes and 55 seconds until Tre Donaldson had the last chance. The 6-foot-3 guard — who arrived in Indianapolis playing his worst basketball of the season — raced the length of the floor for the game-winning left-handed layup in traffic.
A bit of March magic to cap off a memorable afternoon, and a chance for the Wolverines to play for a banner on Sunday afternoon.
The most important part of this week was for Michigan to start hooping like Michigan again. That plan is coming together. It has come with the tax of some of those early-season flaws, too, but this is the Michigan we all saw in November, December and January.
It doesn’t mean that all of this team’s problems are suddenly erased, or that the Wolverines will waltz through the NCAA Tournament. It doesn’t guarantee anything, but going out playing your best basketball is the best way to go out.
As long as Michigan plays its game, it can make real noise in the NCAA Tournament. The upside is real, and it isn’t just a January memory anymore.
Dusty May Promo!
The post BTT 2025: Michigan vs. Maryland Recap appeared first on UM Hoops.com .