For most of the game against Rutgers, Michigan basketball felt like it was headed toward defeat. The Wolverines needed a win desperately to keep pace with Michigan State in the Big Ten title race.
However, when the Scarlet Knights built a 13-point lead in the first half, it felt like Michigan was running out of gas. It was their third game in six days and fourth since Feb. 16.
It would have been easy for Michigan basketball to throw in the towel. But they didn't. They showed championship mettle, and here are three things we learned from the Wolverines' comeback win.
Michigan wins close games
After last season and even the beginning of this season, it seemed like close games were still a problem for Michigan basketball.
They aren't anymore. The Wolverines have won their last eight games by four points or less. It wasn't always pretty against Rutgers but on the last few possessions, Michigan never panicked.
Tre Donaldson didn't have a great night but got the bucket in the final minute. Danny Wolf made a key free throw and didn't panic as the clock was winding down. He dished the ball to Nimari Burnett, who was coming off his worst game of the season but confidently buried a game-winning 3-pointer.
This team will have to start playing better for 40 minutes. There are some lingering issues that will make it challenging to win the Big Ten championship, but there are three games to go and the Wolverines control their own destiny.
A big reason for that is being able to close out games.
Nimari Burnett saved the day
It's funny that despite all of the transfer portal additions, one of the best moves of the offseason for Michigan basketball was bringing back Nimari Burnett.
The former five-star recruit has found a perfect role as a 3-and-D player. The shots haven't been falling lately. They haven't been for anyone, but Burnett showed why he was ranked so highly coming out of high school. Not only did he hit he game-winning 3-pointer, he also scored 15 points in the second half to spark the Michigan rally.
His defense played a key part in that too, and it has to be mentioned how important Burnett has been to this Michigan basketball team.
The 3-point shooting is a huge issue
According to a post on X by Zach Shaw, Michigan basketball was 23rd in college basketball in 3-point shooting before January 17. After that, they ranked 345th.
It's hard to put a finger on why Michigan has struggled so much to shoot. Even Danny Wolf missed some really good looks, including a wide-open 3-pointer in the final minute. Sam Walters' injury hasn't helped. Roddy Gayle and Rubin Jones have also been slumping. So has Wolf.
Michigan still has six shooters at 34 percent or better for the season. Yet, the Wolverines have been held under 25 percent in their last three games, and that just won't cut it going forward.