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Gut reactions to best win of the season for Michigan basketball

Michigan basketball built an 18-point lead against UCLA, lost it, then bounced back to notch their most impressive win of the season.

ByChris Peterson|
Jan 7, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Michigan Wolverines center Vladislav Goldin (50) celebrates with guard Tre Donaldson (3) against the UCLA Bruins in the first half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Jan 7, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Michigan Wolverines center Vladislav Goldin (50) celebrates with guard Tre Donaldson (3) against the UCLA Bruins in the first half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Michigan basketball looked like the best team in the Big Ten at times on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. The 24th-ranked Wolverines built an 18-point lead against UCLA at one point in the first half before losing the lead, then closing on a 32-12 run to win 94-75.

Winning on the road isn't easy in the Big Ten, but Michigan basketball is now 3-0 on the road. U-M is 4-0 overall in the Big Ten but has beaten UCLA and Wisconsin on the road.

Vlad Goldin was incredible. The 7-foot center from Florida Atlantic owned the paint on both ends of the floor making 13-of-18 shots from the field and 9-of-11 from the free-throw line to finish with 36 points and seven rebounds.

Early in the second half, it felt like Deja Vu. The Wolverines have blown three double-digit leads already this season in losses and UCLA grabbed the lead 63-62. At that point, Trey Donaldson took over. The point guard drilled six 3-pointers in the win and helped Michigan take control back in the second half.

Nimari Burnett had some great moments too. The senior hit 3-of-4 triples and two of those came during the 32-12 run for Michigan basketball that sealed their third win over a ranked team this season.

Danny Wolf, even though he was in foul trouble, added 12 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Donaldson finished with 20 points, six rebounds, and seven assists and here are the gut reactions to a massive win for Michigan basketball.

Gut reactions to Michigan basketball win over UCLA

  • Vlad Goldin and Danny Wolf might be the two best players in the Big Ten right now.
  • Wolf is a future pro and Goldin is the best traditional big man in the league. That's a dangerous combination.
  • The Wolverines scored 94 points against the No. 4 adjusted defense (Kenpom) in college basketball and for much of the game, it felt easy.
  • I don't know if any team in the country can beat Michigan basketball if it makes 15 3-pointers.
  • Michigan owned the paint. The Wolverines made 70 percent of their 2-point attempts. That's why Michigan won this game. The 3-pointers made it a blowout.
  • This was Michigan's best win of the season. It's also the best win of any team in Big Ten play.
  • Michigan is at least a co-favorite with Michigan State to win the Big Ten title.
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