The Michigan Wolverines earned a crucial win over rivals Ohio State on Saturday, fueled by Danny Wolf’s 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists. In addition to a double-double from Vlad Goldin, Michigan stacked its 6th straight win. Wolf was asked about the team’s recent form and pointed to one key thing that has allowed the team to be successful late in the season.
Danny Wolf Led the Michigan Wolverines Past Ohio State
After a mid-week upset win over the Purdue Boilermakers, Michigan was right back to it on Saturday, with the weekend’s game being against one of their biggest rivals – the Ohio State Buckeyes. Although they have been an up-and-down team all year, Ohio State has multiple wins against ranked teams and can be a very dangerous bunch. Saturday afternoon in Columbus was a thoroughly entertaining game, with the teams rarely separated by more than one possession. It was Michigan that prevailed 86-83.
Danny Wolf, who transferred from Yale after last season, has been a revelation for Michigan. His 17 points came on 7-12 shooting, and he added 11 rebounds and 5 assists as well. Wolf also only turned the ball over once, which is significant due to his elevated turnover numbers throughout the season. Despite his propensity to cough up the ball, he is still an excellent passer and playmaker, which was on full display against the Buckeyes.
For Wolf, playing at Michigan and beating Ohio State is a dream come true. He was a boyhood Wolverines fan, and to be able to put together a fantastic game against their big rivals meant everything to him.
I grew up a big time Michigan fan. I always dreamed of games like this.
In the month of February, Wolf has elevated his game to another level. Averaging 16.6 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.8 blocks, he has continued to be the do-it-all player for the team. His 53-38-74 shooting splits are also eye-catching.
What Danny Wolf Said Following Michigan’s Big Win
Wolf was keen to compliment both his teammates and the coaching staff after the win. The team did very well on the glass, winning the rebounding margin by 15. Wolf’s co-star Vlad Goldin had a massive 20 points and 10 rebounds, while the bench outscored Ohio State’s by 13. Wolf told CBS’s Jim Spanarkel that his teammates “make me look so much better.” However, the most revealing part was what Wolf said about his team’s character in close games.
Our last few games have been very close, and earlier in the year we were on the opposite side of that. Buzzer-beater threes, and I think it kind of, those are the moments that you need to be successful late in the season when you’re playing for something bigger than yourself, and you’re playing in a big game like this, it’s just guys coming together as opposed to splitting apart, and I mean I’m just so proud of my teammates and coaches.
Wolf is right about Michigan’s tendency to be in close games. Each of their six straight wins have been by 4 or less points. He referenced close losses early in the season, which included a 2-point loss to Wake Forest, a 2-point loss to Arkansas, and a 1-point loss to Oklahoma. Now that Michigan has won 7-straight one-possession games, they have clearly grown from these crunch time struggles.
Wolf is apt to point out how such adversity has the ability to fracture a team. Yet the Wolverines are seemingly as tight-knit as ever, and their perseverance has been rewarded late in the season. Now atop the Big Ten standings, a home game against their other big rivals, the Michigan State Spartans, is up next. Ann Arbor will be rocking on Friday night for what Wolf said will be the biggest game of the year.
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