When Michigan basketball grabbed a 10-point lead to start its first-round NCAA tournament game against UC San Diego, it felt like a good omen.
Michigan fans probably felt even better when the lead ballooned to 15 points early in the second half. However, it evaporated into thin air, and with about 2:30 left, the Wolverines were down by two.
And the offense was ice cold.
Tre Donaldson hit a massive 3-pointer, then the Michigan basketball defense closed out a win that was the definition of survive and advance.
What a dagger.
— GBM Wolverine (@GBM_Wolverine) March 21, 2025
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Looking back at the 68-65 win, here are five things we learned.
The defensive game plan was executed perfectly
It wasn't at all surprising the way Michigan basketball was able to take UC San Diego out of what it wanted to do. Before the game, I predicted that the Wolverines would make more 3-pointers than the Tritons and that proved accurate.
The reason was Michigan's ability to switch everything. The Wolverines didn't just switch ball screens, they switched almost every screen and it stymied UC San Diego.
It felt like almost every 3-pointer outside of a few pump fakes, was contested. The Wolverines were over-aggressive in contesting shots at times but it was worth it. Tyler McGhie took 27 shots and was just 3-of-15 from deep.
As a team, UC San Diego shot 23 percent from 3-point range. That was the ballgame and the biggest reason U-M limited them to 0.97 points per possession.
If there is one reason Michigan is still playing, defense is it.
Michigan goes as Tre Donaldson goes
Where would Michigan basketball be without Tre Donaldson? Probably sitting at home, without a Big Ten tournament championship.
I thought the Wolverines were cooked when they went down two. They just lost all momentum and couldn't buy a bucket. Michigan missed a bunch of shots at the rim and free throws down the stretch, but Donaldson turned the game around with one quick shot.
He saved the day against Maryland, but has buried a clutch 3-pointer in the last two minutes of three straight games. Danny Wolf and Vlad Goldin are the first talking point for Michigan basketball, but this team goes as Tre Donaldson goes.
That was never more evident than on Thursday night.
Will Tschetter is a steady presence
Another player that Michigan basketball probably would be home without is Will Tschetter, at least on Thursday night.
Vlad Goldin picked up three quick fouls in the second half. Yet, Tschetter was there to provide some quality minutes off the bench and his two free throws during the UC San Diego onslaught were even more important.
The lead was down to one and things weren't going Michigan's way. Tschetter got fouled after an offensive rebound, earning two much-needed free throws. He knocked them down, then buried a 3-pointer minutes later to put Michigan up 10
The Wolverines still had to survive that final stretch, but they got there in part due to Tschetter who was critical off the bench and led the team in box score plus/minus according to college basketball reference.
Turnovers will be the bane of Michigan basketball
The Wolverines did a better job in the second half of taking care of the ball and didn't have any critical turnovers late, but man, they have to do the simple things better.
Some of the wayward passes I can accept, but Michigan had multiple passes go right through guys hands, which led to turnovers. There were a few lazy passes too that allowed UC San Diego to get steals.
Be strong with the basketball, make good passes, know where you are on the floor, etc. If Michigan does that, it probably cuts out five turnovers and the difference between 13 turnovers and eight in a game like this is huge.
Twice Michigan threw the ball away from out of bounds on its own side of the court for layups. Combine that with the nine missed free throws and it's no wonder this was a close game.
It shouldn't have been. Turnovers and missed free throws caused it to be. The turnovers especially have haunted this team all season and if they are eliminated, that will be a major culprit.
Area 50-1 has to be better
Danny Wolf was active defensively but played poorly on the offensive end. He set the tone with an opening trey but went 3-of-9 on 2-pointers, shooting 36 percent overall.
Goldin shot 55 percent but was called for some silly fouls that limited his minutes. The pair combined for 23 points and 18 rebounds. That's not a bad night, but they need to shoot better than 8 of 17 (under 50 percent) on 2-point shots and must finish better around the rim.
We'll delve into Texas A&M soon, but the Aggies are active defensively. They rank in the top 70 in turnovers, are 40th in 2-point percentage defense and rank 79th in blocked shots. It won't be an easy assignment and unless Area 50-1 is more effective, the Wolverines will head home.
23 points just isn't going to be enough.