To be a special team, you need special players and Michigan basketball certainly has one of those in Danny Wolf.
The 7-footer who handles the ball like a point guard took over in critical stretches on Saturday night against USC, especially down the stretch in an 85-74 win for the Wolverines. At one point, he was responsible for an assist to Vlad Goldin, a blocked shot, and another bucket, all in consecutive possessions as the game was hanging in the balance.
He did that all with four fouls too. Wolf finished with 21 points (on 9-of-12 shooting). The Yale transfer also grabbed 13 rebounds, dished out seven assists and blocked six shots. It was an incredible effort. Wolf and Goldin dominated early in the second half as Michigan built a 13-point lead.
Eventually, USC tied it and took the lead but it didn't last long. Roddy Gayle tied the score and put Michigan back in front. The Wolverines extended their lead at the free throw line and got a clutch shot from Trey Donaldson to make it 77-71 before Wolf's flurry at the end to wrap up the win.
After losing three double-digit leads earlier in the season, there was a sense of Deja Vu. This time around though, Wolf and Michigan basketball had other ideas.
Here are the gut reactions to an 11-point road win by Michigan basketball win over USC.
Gut reactions to Michigan basketball win over USC
- It's hard to come up with adjectives to describe Danny Wolf. He's an NBA player in college basketball and Michigan is fortunate to have him.
- Michigan has to win games like this to win the Big Ten. This should be a huge confidence-builder.
- It was also good to see the Wolverines protect the lead. This won't be the last time they need to do that.
- USC tried to take away Goldin and Wolf in the first half but Nimari Burnett and Trey Donaldson made them pay. They combined for seven 3-pointers.
- Michigan shot 61 percent on 2-pointers. USC shot 47 percent. That was flipped from the first half and it was also the difference in the game.
- It might not be a quadrant-1 win, but Michigan avoided a bad loss, especially up 14 points.
- Conference road wins are always good wins.
- Go Blue!