Michigan basketball's Tre Donaldson saves day with buzzer-beater to take down Maryland

INDIANAPOLIS — The old adage maintains that basketball is a game of runs, and certainly enough, in the second Big Ten tournament semifinal Saturday, Michigan basketball offered the latest evidence.

The third-seeded Wolverines took command with an 18-0 spurt covering just over five minutes of game time surrounding halftime, then held on — boosted by a go-ahead Tre Donaldson layup with 0.4 of a second — to beat second-seeded Maryland, 81-80, and grab the final spot in the Big Ten title game.

Of course, U-M is looking for the biggest run of all — from worst in the conference last season to tourney champs under Dusty May. The first-year head coach has his Wolverines (24-9) playing for their first Big Ten tournament title since 2018 (and their fourth overall); U-M will face Wisconsin in Sunday afternoon’s final (3:30 p.m., CBS).

Michigan center Vladislav Goldin (50) drives to the basket against Maryland center Derik Queen (25) during the first half of Big Ten Tournament semifinal at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. on Saturday, March 15, 2025.

Vlad Goldin led the Wolverines with 25 points and 10 rebounds, while fellow 7-footer Danny Wolf added 21 points and 14 rebounds.

Charging out of halftime

Goldin and Wolf, aka U-M’s “Area 51” duo, put the game out of reach early in the second half, combining for 11 straight points: a layup and a dunk by Goldin, a layup by Wolf, another layup by Goldin and, finally, a 3-pointer from Wolf to stretch the Wolverines’ lead to 15 ponts with just over 17 minutes to go.

Maryland answered with a 10-0 run, but Donaldson’s jumper with 15:12 left stopped the momentum, and the Wolverines pushed their lead back to double digits soon enough.

Michigan guard Nimari Burnett (4) defends Maryland guard Selton Miguel (9) during the first half of Big Ten Tournament semifinal at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. on Saturday, March 15, 2025.

Back and forth in the first half

The Wolverines received balanced production in the first half from their starters, with four of the five scoring at least five points and pulling down two rebounds. The effort was led by Danny Wolf, who had eight points and eight rebounds, and Nimari Burnett, who hit halftime with 10 points (on 3-for-5 shooting) and three rebounds. Burnett’s first half included a personal 5-0 run — on a 3-pointer and a pair of free throws — about 4 ½ minutes into the half that gave U-M a slim 12-10 lead.

Maryland appeared to have taken control after that, with a 13-4 run, but Burnett triggered another run with a 3-pointer and a layup bookending a 9-0 Michigan run that giave it a four-point lead with 4:41 left in the half. But the Terps answered with a 9-2 run to reclaim the lead. That was, of course, followed by a 7-0 U-M run as Roddy Gayle Jr. had a 3 and a dunk sandwiched around a Vlad Goldin dunk to make it a four-point game in U-M’s favor at the break.

Michigan head coach Dusty May reacts to a play against Maryland during the first half of Big Ten Tournament semifinal at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. on Saturday, March 15, 2025.

Next up for Michigan basketball

U-M will face fifth-seeded Wisconsin in the Big Ten final; the Wolverines upset the Badgers, 67-64, in Madison, Wisconsin, on Dec. 3, behind 44 combined points from Goldin and Wolf. Michigan is looking for its fourth Big Ten tourney title (counting a vacated title in 1998), and its first since 2018, while Wisconsin seeks its fourth title, and its first since 2015.

Michigan basketball bracketology

After that, U-M will have to wait for Sunday’s selection show (6 p.m., CBS) to find out the rest of its March Madness plans, though regardless of the result, it’s certain to return to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2022. The Wolverines entered Saturday widely projected as a 5-seed, according to the averages compiled by Bracket Matrix.

This story will be updated shortly.

Tony Garcia is the Michigan Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan basketball score: U-M beats Maryland, makes Big Ten title game

Topics

Donaldson's court-length drive sends No. 22 Michigan past No. 11 Maryland 81-80 in Big Ten tourney

Tre Donaldson drove the length of the court and scored on a layup with 0.4 seconds left to give No. 22 Michigan an 81-80 victory over No. 11 Maryland in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals Saturday. ...
Yahoo Sports - 9h
Tre Donaldson's last-second layup sends Michigan to Big Ten championship

Tre Donaldson makes a layup with 0.4 seconds left to send Michigan to the Big Ten championship game.
Yahoo Sports - 9h
Big Ten tournament: Michigan's Tre Donaldson goes coast-to-coast to stun Maryland with 0.9 seconds left

The Wolverines will face Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship game.
Yahoo Sports - 10h
5 takeaways: Michigan basketball stuns Maryland in Big Ten Tournament semifinals

Our five takeaways from the Wolverines' stunning victory over Maryland in the Big Ten Tournament.
Yahoo Sports - 9h
Donaldson’s court-length drive sends No. 22 Michigan past No. 11 Maryland 81-80 in Big Ten tourney

The Wolverines (24-9) will face No. 18 Wisconsin in Sunday’s championship game in Indianapolis.
Yahoo Sports - 5h
Big Ten Tournament - Michigan vs. Maryland Predictions: Odds, Expert Picks, Betting Trends, and Stats

Michigan Wolverines vs. Maryland Terrapins Game Preview
Yahoo Sports - 20h
Fantastic finishes in Big Ten semifinals deliver March Madness feel heading into championship game

Tre Donaldson made the drive of his life on Saturday, going the length of the floor for a buzzer-beating layup to send No. 22 Michigan into the Big Ten Tournament title game. Michigan State guard ...
Yahoo Sports - 8h
Michigan basketball vs Maryland Big Ten Tournament injury report

Which players are out for the Big Ten Tournament semifinals?
Yahoo Sports - 14h
Michigan basketball hangs on to beat Maryland, advances to Big Ten Championship Game

Our full recap of the Wolverines' big win in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals.
Yahoo Sports - 10h
The best reactions to Michigan basketball stunning Maryland in Big Ten Tournament

After the stunning victory in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals, social media exploded reacting to the Wolverines' victory.
Yahoo Sports - 9h
Tired of 'getting punked,' Michigan basketball flexes muscle as it stuns Maryland at buzzer

"We're thinking about one thing right now, that's beat Wisconsin," said Rubin Jones. "We're playing for a championship, that's what we came here for."
Yahoo Sports - 8h
How to watch Michigan vs Maryland in the Big Ten Tournament today: Time, TV channel

It's Michigan vs Maryland in the Big Ten Tournament on Saturday. Here's how to watch, including time, channel, TV schedule and streaming info.
Yahoo Sports - 16h
Maryland vs. Michigan odds, how to watch, prediction, free 2025 Big Ten Tournament semifinal picks

SportsLine's proven computer model has revealed its best bets for the Michigan Wolverines vs. Maryland Terrapins Saturday on CBS and streaming on Paramount+
CBS Sports - 14h
Bruins take down Mallards on the road

Mar. 14—The Austin Bruins took care of business against the last place Minnesota Mallards (10-38-1-2 overall) as they won 4-1 on the road Thursday night. The Bruins out-shot the Mallards 43-5 in ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Tennessee basketball's Jahmai Mashack felt disrespected. Texas' Tre Johnson paid the price

Jahmai Mashack was the primary defender guarding Texas star Tre Johnson, who was held to 11 points in Tennessee basketball's win in the SEC Tournament.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Couch: 3 quick takes on Michigan State basketball's 74-64 win over Oregon in the Big Ten tournament quarterfinals

Columnist Graham Couch shares his thoughts on MSU's Big Ten tournament performance and win against Oregon on Friday afternoon with three quick takes.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Oregon State Baseball: Beavers Take Down Santa Clara 8-0

PROMO: Join BeaversEdge.com and get 30 DAYS FREE!MORE: Scrimmage Nuggets: Defense Wins | Day 6 Interviews | Recruiting Notebook: New Futurecast, QB Visit & MORE | Where Is OSU WBB Projected In NCAA ...
Yahoo Sports - 4h
Michigan, Michigan State players shove one another at center court late in game

Michigan guard Phat Phat Brooks shoved Michigan State guard Tre Holloman after he pushed Wolverines guard L.J. Cason on Sunday at midcourt of the Breslin Center.
Yahoo Sports - 6d
The sun is out for Michigan basketball, now that it's focused internally

The last time Michigan basketball played this well, it was in 70 degrees in Los Angeles. Just a coincidence, then, that it was 78 in Indy on Friday.
Yahoo Sports - 22h
Maryland destroys Illinois, 88-65, to reach Big Ten Tournament semifinals

INDIANAPOLIS — That Big Ten Tournament semifinal drought for Maryland men’s basketball is no more. Brandishing their highest seeding in the league tournament since their debut in 2015, the No. 2 ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Michigan basketball has one objective this week in Indianapolis: Prediction, preview

No matter what happens, Michigan basketball is guaranteed to last longer in the Big Ten tournament this year in Indianapolis
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Sparked by newfound confidence, Michigan downs Purdue in Big Ten quarters

Michigan bounced back from a three-game losing streak to beat Purdue and advance in the Big Ten Tournament.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Adrian, Tecumseh boys swimmers ready to take on state meet at Eastern Michigan

A look at Adrian and Tecumseh boys swimming teams as they head into the state meet at Eastern Michigan
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Michigan eyes Big Ten title after buzzer-beater

With some heroics just before the buzzer, No. 22 Michigan posted an 81-80 victory over No. 11 Maryland in the Big Ten tournament semifinals Saturday in Indianapolis, giving the Wolverines 24 wins ...
ESPN - 6h
Dark days ahead in Rochester if Daylight Savings Time ends

Mar. 15—Dear Answer Man: Please make time for this one. If Minnesota is forced to stop having Daylight Savings Time in the summer (and so the sun would set an hour earlier than previous summers), ...
Yahoo Sports - 15h
Five takeaways from Michigan State basketball's win over Oregon in the Big Ten Tournament

Five takeaways from Michigan State basketball's Big Ten Tournament win over Oregon
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Five takeaways from Michigan basketball's Big Ten Tournament win over Purdue

What happened and what we took away from Michigan basketball's surprising win over Purdue.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Michigan State basketball: Coen Carr grows up, sparks win over Oregon in Big Ten tourney

Coen Carr's intensity provides Michigan State basketball the spark it needed to beat Oregon Ducks in Big Ten tournament.
Yahoo Sports - 22h
Michigan State basketball's Big Ten tournament run ends with 77-74 loss to Wisconsin

Michigan State basketball's Big Ten tournament came to an end Saturday with a loss to Wisconsin. Next up, the real March Madness.
Yahoo Sports - 13h
Oregon State Spring Football Nuggets Day 5: DB Jaheim Patterson Impresses

PROMO: Join BeaversEdge.com and get 30 DAYS FREE!With the Oregon State football team taking to Reser Stadium Thursday for the fifth day of spring ball, BeaversEdge Senior Writer Ryan Harlan has the ...
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Texas vs Tennessee TV channel, prediction: How to watch SEC basketball tournament game

Texas basketball and freshman Tre Johnson are on fire in the SEC Tournament, but a win over Tennessee would guarantee a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Clemson takes down Notre Dame behind Aidan Knaak's career-high strikeout performance

Clemson takes down Notre Dame behind a 12-strikeout performance from Aidan Knaak.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Jase Richardson, Michigan State basketball outduel Oregon 74-64 in Big Ten tournament

Jase Richardson scored 17 points to lead Michigan State basketball past Oregon in the Big Ten tournament quarterfinals Friday in Indianapolis.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Michigan basketball pounces on Purdue for first Big Ten semifinal appearance since 2021

Michigan basketball score: The Wolverines surged in the second half to beat Purdue and return to the Big Ten semifinals first time since 2021.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Wolverines, Spartans get pushy late in MSU win

Michigan guard Phat Phat Brooks shoved Michigan State guard Tre Holloman late in Sunday's game, causing a brief scrum as coaches separated the players.
ESPN - 6d
Prediction for Purdue basketball's Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal game vs. Michigan

The Boilermakers defeated USC on Thursday night to set up a third game this season against Michigan. Both teams won once during the regular season.
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Was Michigan State basketball vs Wisconsin no-call at the buzzer correct? You decide

Wisconsin's John Tonje reached in and swiped at ball as Michigan State's Jeremy Fears Jr. attempted to shoot tying 3-pointer in Big Ten tournament.
Yahoo Sports - 12h
How to watch Michigan vs. Purdue in Big Ten tournament quarterfinals

Michigan basketball faces off against Purdue in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten tournament on Friday in Indianapolis.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Michigan State falls in Big Ten Tournament semis, 77-74, to Wisconsin

Wisconsin has ended Michigan State basketball's Big Ten Tournament run in the semifinal in a hard fought 77-74 game
Yahoo Sports - 12h