Michigan’s 71-65 defeat to Maryland has sealed the fate of the Wolverines in their pursuit of a share of the Big Ten regular-season title. This loss marks the second consecutive setback for the team at the Crisler Center, leaving them in a precarious position heading into the final stretch of the season.
With this result, No. 8 Michigan State has secured at least a share of the Big Ten regular-season title. The Wolverines’ only remaining chance hinges on the Spartans faltering in their upcoming road game against Iowa on Thursday. A loss for Michigan State would set the stage for a high-stakes rematch between the two teams on Sunday, a game that could determine the title after the Spartans previously defeated the Wolverines 75-62 on February 21.
Just three days after suffering a 93-73 loss to Illinois, Michigan faced another tough opponent in the Terrapins. Rodney Rice led the Wolverines with 19 points, while Selton Miguel and Derik Queen contributed 17 points each, with Queen also grabbing 12 rebounds to bolster the team’s efforts.
The No. 13 Terrapins, boasting a record of 23-7 and 13-6 in the Big Ten, have been on a roll, winning six of their last seven games, with their only loss coming from a buzzer-beater against Michigan State. They currently sit third in the conference standings, showcasing their strength as the season approaches its climax.
In contrast, the No. 17 Wolverines, now at 22-8 and 14-5 in the Big Ten, have stumbled, losing two straight games and three of their last four at home. This decline has pushed them out of the top spot in the conference, raising concerns about their postseason prospects.
Maryland took charge early in the game, limiting Michigan to a season-low 22 points in the first half and establishing an 11-point lead. The Wolverines struggled to recover, committing nine turnovers in the second half that hampered their chances of staging a comeback.
For Michigan, Vladislav Goldin and Danny Wolf each scored 20 points, while Tre Donaldson added 10 points along with six assists, showcasing some individual talent amidst the team’s struggles.
Takeaways
Maryland’s Kevin Willard has cultivated a well-rounded team that is peaking at the right moment, having won 10 of their last 11 games, which significantly enhances their seeding prospects for both the Big Ten and NCAA Tournaments.
On the other hand, Dusty May’s Wolverines were in desperate need of a victory to keep their hopes alive for a share of the Big Ten title in their upcoming clash against the Spartans.
Key moment
A pivotal moment came when Danny Wolf missed two crucial free throws with 5:48 remaining, a missed opportunity that could have narrowed Michigan’s deficit to just two points.
Key stat
Maryland capitalized on Michigan’s 16 turnovers, scoring 21 points off those mistakes, a statistic that highlights the Wolverines’ struggles in maintaining possession.
Up next
As the regular season draws to a close, Maryland will host Northwestern on Saturday, while Michigan will travel to face Michigan State on Sunday, in what promises to be a critical matchup for both teams.
