INDIANAPOLIS – The No. 22-ranked Michigan Wolverines stunned the No. 11-ranked Maryland Terrapins with a thrilling 81-80 victory at Gainbridge Fieldhouse during the Big Ten Tournament semifinals on March 15, 2025. The Wolverines secured their spot in the championship game against Wisconsin with a last-second layup from Tre Donaldson.
The moment came with just 0.4 seconds left on the clock. After receiving the inbound pass following Derik Queen's clutch free throws which gave Maryland the temporary lead, Donaldson raced down the court and finished with his left hand, sealing the victory for Michigan and sending the crowd roaring.
Michigan improved to 24-9, buoyed by Vladislav Goldin's stellar performance, who finished the game with 25 points and 10 rebounds, and Danny Wolf, who contributed 21 points and 14 rebounds. This victory marked Michigan's first appearance in the Big Ten Championship Game since 2019, highlighting their resilience and determination.
On the other side, Maryland's Queen shined brightly, scoring a career-high 31 points, proving to be the driving force behind the Terrapins' effort. Along with Selton Miguel, who added 16 points and three steals, Queen led his team but could not hold off Michigan's final surge.
Michigan began the game showing their aggressive style, dominating the rebounding battle, finishing with 47 boards compared to Maryland's mere 18. This significant edge was attributed to their aggressive pursuit of second chances, leading to 18 second-chance points, which proved pivotal.
Early on, both teams exchanged baskets, with Michigan showing flashes of brilliance. They quickly fell behind after Maryland seized momentum and led 16-14. Despite this, the Wolverines managed to strike back and concluded the half with a 38-34 advantage thanks to their depth and bench performances.
Maryland started strong but struggled to maintain their lead. After going on multiple scoring runs, they soon reclaimed the advantage midway through the second half following Queen's heroic efforts. The back-and-forth game featured multiple lead changes, with key contributions from Ja'Kobi Gillespie and Julian Reese.
Gillespie finished with 10 points and nine assists, playing a significant role as one of Maryland’s three players who reached double figures, alongside Queen and Miguel. While Maryland brought strong offensive firepower, their defense stumbled during clutch moments, particularly against Donaldson’s game-winning play.
Despite Maryland's promising performance, their 6 turnovers paled against Michigan's 19 turnovers, which almost proved detrimental. If they can correct these mistakes, they hope to take valuable lessons from this game as they head toward the NCAA Tournament.
The crazy stats reflected the Wolverines' efficiency—they outscored Maryland significantly inside the paint and amassed more freedom at the free-throw line. Interestingly, Maryland had ten more attempts at the stripe, capitalizing when it counted. Still, the final seconds illustrated the essence of tournament play: every possession, every shot matters.
Michigan moves on with confidence, especially heading to the championship matchup against Wisconsin, who overcame Michigan State, another formidable opponent. Wolverines Coach Dusty May is thrilled about the upcoming game; it will certainly test their mettle against the Badgers.
Meanwhile, Maryland looks forward to Selection Sunday on March 16, 2025, broadcasted at 6 PM EST on CBS, where they’ll learn their destination for the NCAA Tournament. After finishing their season with a solid 25-8 record, fans hope to see their Terps built on momentum and powerful individual performances, especially from their Freshman standout Derik Queen, who awaits to see if he can add to his season honors.
The stage is set for Michigan and Maryland, two programs showcasing young talent, heart, and relentless spirit. It was captured beautifully during this riveting semifinal encounter, and both teams will carry those lessons forward as they enter what promises to be thrilling postseason journeys.