Michigan
22-9,14-6Big Ten
Michigan State
26-5,17-3Big Ten
Michigan Comes Up Short at No. 8 Michigan State in Regular-Season Finale
3/9/2025 3:16:00 PM | Men's Basketball
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- The No. 17-ranked University of Michigan men's basketball team mounted a second-half rally but couldn't overcome a slow start, dropping its regular-season finale to No. 8 Michigan State, 79-62, on Sunday (March 9) at the Breslin Center.
Leaders and Best
Michigan's big men combined for 47 of the Wolverines' 62 points. Vladislav Goldin led all scorers with 29 points and added six rebounds, while Danny Wolf recorded a double-double with 18 points, 13 rebounds, and four assists.
First Half
Michigan (22-9, 14-6 Big Ten) struggled to find a rhythm early, committing five turnovers in the first three-and-a-half minutes, prompting an early timeout as Michigan State (26-5, 17-3 Big Ten) built an 8-3 lead. The Wolverines were limited in shot opportunities, attempting just six field goals in the first seven minutes, while the Spartans capitalized on their possessions to stretch the margin to 20-6 with 12:21 remaining.
A three-pointer from Nimari Burnett halted a 12-1 Michigan State run, and Goldin followed with four straight points to bring U-M within 10 at 23-13 with 9:40 left. However, the Spartans responded immediately with an 8-0 surge, pushing their lead to 18. Goldin remained Michigan's best offensive presence, scoring 14 of the team's 28 first-half points. Despite his efforts, Michigan State closed the half on a 17-11 run, sending U-M into the break trailing 50-28.
Second Half
Goldin picked up where he left off, scoring Michigan's first five points of the second half. However, the Wolverines continued to struggle offensively, shooting just 3-for-13 in the first six minutes as Michigan State extended its lead to 59-36.
Michigan's defense tightened, forcing a four-and-a-half-minute Michigan State scoring drought. Wolf and Goldin combined for 12 points as part of a 14-0 Michigan run, cutting the deficit to 61-50 with 9:23 remaining.
Michigan State pulled away in the closing minutes, however, outscoring U-M 18-12 to secure the win. The Spartans shot 41 percent in the second half, while the Wolverines finished at 33 percent from the field.
What's Next
Michigan now turns its attention to the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis, Ind., from March 12-16. Entering as the No. 3 seed, U-M receives a double-bye and will play its first game in the quarterfinals against either Purdue or the winner of the second-round matchup between the No. 11 and No. 14 seeds. The game will be broadcast on Big Ten Network, with tip set for 9 p.m. on Friday, March 14, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Notes
• Goldin scored 29 points, marking his sixth 20-plus point game in his last seven outings. It was his third-highest scoring game of the season.
• Wolf recorded his 13th double-double of the season, tying Maryland's Julian Reese for the most in the Big Ten.
• Wolf also surpassed 200 career assists (203).
• Rubin Jones reached 150 career three-pointers made.
• Jones also reached 150 career steals.
