Michigan Faces Must-Win Scenario After Loss to Maryland

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan‘s pursuit of a Big Ten title hit a critical snag as it fell to Maryland, 71-65, at the Crisler Center on Wednesday. The loss not only marked the Wolverines’ second consecutive defeat but also placed their championship aspirations in jeopardy, requiring assistance from Iowa against Michigan State later this week.

Despite the Wolverines starting the game with hopeful energy, they managed to score just 22 points in the first half — a staggering low for the season — trailing the Terrapins by 11 points at halftime. Michigan coach Dusty May acknowledged the team’s struggles, emphasizing their lack of discipline and decision-making during crucial moments.

“We didn’t play with great discipline. Against a defense like this, the one-handed hook passes are problematic,” May stated during the post-game press conference. “My concern is that we didn’t find the right reactions when the defense collapsed on our players.”

The Wolverines entered the game ranked 14-5 in conference play but fell two games back from Michigan State in the standings. They urgently need an Iowa victory over the Spartans on Thursday, alongside a win on Sunday against Michigan State, to keep hopes for a share of the Big Ten title alive.

In the game against Maryland, forwards Vlad Goldin and Danny Wolf led the team with 20 points each, although Goldin required 17 shots to achieve that mark, and Wolf caused five turnovers. As a unit, the Wolverines committed 16 turnovers and shot an underwhelming 35% from the field, highlighting persistent offensive inconsistencies.

May noted that Maryland, ranked No. 13 nationally, exhibited superior shooting skills, landing key three-pointers in high-pressure moments. “Credit Maryland for keeping us off balance. They are a strong defensive team,” he remarked.

The recent downturn in form has raised questions among Michigan fans and analysts, who wonder if the team peaked too soon. Following a 16-point victory against Washington on January 12, the Wolverines have recorded a mixed 9-4 record, with every victory coming by a margin of four points or fewer. “We need to get back to playing good, team basketball,” May said, underscoring the need for unity and chemistry. “This is the most adversity this group has faced, and we will learn a lot about ourselves in the coming weeks.”

Freshman guard Wolf recounted a past experience with his former Yale team that similarly faced adversity. In his words, “The best part of college basketball is ahead of us. We have all the talent, we have the coaching, we have everything we need.” He expressed optimism for the Wolverines despite their challenges. “It’s just about coming together and staying confident in what we’re doing.”

For Michigan’s hopes of regaining a foothold in the title race, time is of the essence. They need a determined performance against Michigan State this Sunday, and crucially, they must look to Iowa to deliver a favorable result against the Spartans on Thursday. “We can’t afford to have these kinds of performances at this stage in the season,” May emphasized, urging the team to approach the remaining games with focus and energy.