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Gut reactions to a nail-biting win for Michigan basketball over Iowa

Michigan basketball knocked off Iowa thanks to a late goaltending violation and here are the gut reactions.

By Chris Peterson

Dec 7, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines center Vladislav Goldin (50) reacts in the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Dec 7, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines center Vladislav Goldin (50) reacts in the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images / Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
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Score . 85. 485. Final. 83. 878

Michigan basketball didn't play a perfect game on Saturday, but the Wolverines found a way to win against Iowa which is all that matters.

The Big Ten standings don't care about style points, or the fact that Michigan basketball nearly squandered a 16-point lead.

With just a few minutes to go, the Wolverines were up eight. The lead was six with two minutes to go but a steal, and a 3-pointer tied the game.

Michigan turned it over too much, including Danny Wolf. But for the second straight game, both of Michigan's bigs delivered double-doubles. Vlad Goldin scored 20 points and had 11 rebounds. He was 8-of-11 from the free-throw line. Wolf had too many turnovers (4) but also finished with 13 points and 14 rebounds.

Roddy Gayle was credited with the game-winner on a goaltending that was too close to overturn. It looked like the right call and the Ohio State transfer had 17 points. Trey Donaldson had 18 to go along with five assists.

Payton Sandfort did all he could to pull off another Iowa comeback with 19 points. Josh Dix added 16 and Owen Freeman finished with 13. The Hawkeyes made nine 3-pointers compared to four for Michigan, but the Wolverines had a seven-point edge at the free throw line and dominated on 2-point attempts (28-of-38, 73 percent).

That's where the game was won. Iowa covered the spread but Michigan is 8-1 and 2-0 in the Big Ten heading into Tuesday's game at Madison Square Garden against Arkansas.

It's a great day to be a Michigan Wolverine, and here are the gut reactions.

Gut reactions to Michigan basketball win over Iowa

  • Danny Wolf is special but needs to curtail the turnovers like the one at the end of the game. Still, his defense and ball-handling skills will eventually make him a first-round pick.
  • Michigan basketball won this game inside with Goldin and Wolf.
  • Vlad has saved his best basketball for Big Ten play.
  • Iowa is really good at being who they are.
  • Michigan basketball will be ranked on Monday.
  • Donaldson and Gayle deserve a ton of credit for that win (35 combined points on 13-of-24 shooting and 10 assists). They need to cut down on the turnovers though (6 combined).
  • Will Tschetter was incredible off the bench. He scored 13 points and was 5-of-6 from the field with a 3-pointer and a block.
  • Michigan is a good defensive team, but Iowa is a good offensive team and it showed. U-M allows just seven assists per game. Iowa averages 20 but settled for 13. That's a win.
  • Dusty May recognized the weakness of Iowa (2-point defense) and took advantage.
  • Go Blue!
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