College basketball is alive and well in the state of Michigan. As is the ongoing fight to win the Big Ten Title. Michigan and Michigan State have been playing the best basketball all season, and one or both could share the 2024-25 regular-season championship in the Big Ten. This will come down to the last day of the regular season. Ironically, the pair play each other on that day.
Both fanbases are certainly keeping an eye on each other’s games. With both teams sitting at 14-3 in the Big Ten, it has been a strong renaissance for both programs. So how did we get here? Well, the roads for both teams have been very different.
Big Ten Title Race is Clear; It Runs Through the State of Michigan
Wolverines Journey Has Been Gritty
The Wolverines have come a long way in just one season. Since hiring Dusty May, Michigan has completely flipped a switch. After the worst season in history for the program at 8-24, the Wolverines have completely turned it around in 2024-25. They now sit at 22-6 (14-3). That has to be one of the biggest worst-to-first turnarounds in history.
With only two returning players who contributed anything from last season in Nimari Burnett and Will Tschetter, May had lots of work to do in the portal. He did that by pulling in Danny Wolf and Vladislav Goldin, along with the likes of Roddy Gayle Jr and Tre Donaldson. Goldin has been nearly unstoppable, especially in Big Ten play. His season average in scoring is just above 15 points per game. Since beginning conference play, Goldin has bumped his average up over 18 points per game. Not to mention, he’s scored 20 points in three of their last four games.
Vlad Goldin reflected on how #Michigan can bounce back following the disappointing loss against Michigan State.
“We can’t drop our heads. If we continue to fight then it will show the character we have and it will be a long season.”https://t.co/Bd99NmDLyP pic.twitter.com/Bt9AkqwXa9
— Charles Post (@chas_post23) February 22, 2025
Just as important has been Wolf, whose passing ability at seven feet tall is pretty magical. He doesn’t seem like a post-player, which he’s not, but he can do just about everything.
The team itself has been in some real tough Big Ten fights this season, as they have won some real nail-biters. They have won nine of their last 12 games by the skin of their teeth. In fact, 10 of those games were decided by 4 points or less. That was no different against Rutgers who they beat at the buzzer. Additionally, they have a negative point differential in those 12 games.
Spartans Showing Izzo’s Still Got It
Many had written Izzo off, and sure, he hasn’t had Michigan State at the top of their game for the better part of the last five years. But something has just clicked with this team in 2024-25. They have a real chance of winning the Big Ten title for the first time since 2019-2020. Sure, they don’t do it naturally with one big scorer and a bunch of other key contributors.
Senior Jaden Akins certainly was expected to be a top leader, which statistically speaking, he leads the team in scoring, but that is just not the case every night. The Spartans could lean on any one of the 10 guys they play every night. Call it crazy, but this group is just tough. That has been true during the last stretch of four games for MSU.
Looking at the last four teams they have played, that’s the heart and soul of the Big Ten. They went on the road to Illinois and took care of business behind a 20-point, 10-plus rebound night from Jaxon Kohler. Then, they quickly returned home for a clash with Braden Smith and Purdue. Jace Richardson lit up the scoreboard with 12 points, and Akins had Smith under wraps defensively.
Jase Richardson has been rising up draft boards these past few weeks. He’s such an efficient guard with a .653 TS% so far this season.
He has 3 level scoring potential with a craftiness in his game. NBA teams are watching closely
His last 5 games:
PPG: 17.2
RPG: 4.2
3PT: 40% pic.twitter.com/2cpGZqmW6u— Michael Legre (@legre_scouting) February 25, 2025
Then, the Spartans traveled to face the Wolverines in Ann Arbor. The crowd was hyped as both fanbases knew what was on the line. Richardson, who’s only a freshman, continued to showcase that he’s the guy on this team, as he led the Spartans to a strong statement win on the road with 21 points. That game also saw Tre Holloman hit three threes in a row. This led to another Top 25 match-up on the road at Maryland for Michigan State.
Both Teams Stay Alive with Unbelievable Buzzer-beaters
When you’re locked in a fight for a conference championship with your hated rival, you have to dig deep in some very tough environments. That was the case in College Park, as the Spartans had to fight off a very sporty Terrapins squad. It came down to a magical buzzer-beating shot by Holloman. He kept the Spartans’ Big Ten title hopes alive, as the Spartans escaped with a 58-55 win. The shot itself was magical, and it left everyone speechless on Wednesday night.
TRE HOLLOMAN WINS IT AT THE BUZZER FROM HALF-COURT 🚨
(via @CBBonFOX)pic.twitter.com/CTmLQV6HPL https://t.co/8JHrGky46y
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) February 27, 2025
So for the Spartans fans who were likely hate-watching Michigan play last night, the Wolverines gutted out another one against Rutgers, with Burnett hitting a shot to win the game at the horn himself. Not to be outdone, obviously, but it was as big a shot to also keep them alive in the title fight.
NIMARI BURNETT CALLS GAME FROM 37 FOOT FOR MICHIGAN 〽️
— College Basketball Report (@CBKReport) February 28, 2025
Both teams know what’s at stake.
Can’t Slip Up
Both teams have some tough games remaining before their ultimate clash on March 9th. This Sunday is the first of those tests as MSU hosts Wisconsin, who still could shake things up at the top, while the Wolverines host Illinois that day. The Spartans also have a road trip to Iowa during the week, which might be the scariest game remaining. As for the Wolverines, they close out their home slate with Maryland.
For the Big Ten title to be decided in East Lansing, both teams cannot slip up. Time will tell how it all plays out. Both fanbases can certainly agree that it’s great to have both teams back at the top of the Big Ten.
© David Rodriguez Munoz / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
