The NCAA Tournament second-round matchup between Notre Dame and Michigan lived up to the hype, delivering an electrifying contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats. The Fighting Irish and Wolverines, two storied programs, battled fiercely in a back-and-forth affair that showcased stellar performances, clutch moments, and dramatic momentum swings.
First Half: A Fast-Paced Start
Michigan came out firing, knocking down early three-pointers to set the tone. Star guard Kobe Bufkin found his rhythm quickly, hitting back-to-back deep shots to give the Wolverines an early 12-6 lead. Notre Dame responded with strong inside play from Ven-Allen Lubin, who dominated the paint with a pair of dunks and a put-back layup.
Midway through the half, Notre Dame’s J.J. Starling caught fire, scoring 10 points in five minutes to help the Irish erase a seven-point deficit. Michigan countered with efficient ball movement, as point guard Dug McDaniel facilitated well, racking up four assists before halftime.
The teams traded baskets as the first half neared its end, with Hunter Dickinson muscling in a tough bucket for Michigan just before the buzzer. The Wolverines took a slim 38-36 lead into the break.
Second Half: The Intensity Rises
Notre Dame came out of halftime with an aggressive mindset, turning up the defensive pressure. A key steal by Marcus Burton led to a fast-break layup that gave the Irish their first lead since the opening minutes.
Michigan’s Terrance Williams II responded with a personal 6-0 run, knocking down a corner three and converting an and-one to swing momentum back to the Wolverines. However, Notre Dame’s Cormac Ryan delivered a timely deep three-pointer to keep the Irish in striking distance.
As the game entered the final five minutes, both teams traded clutch shots. Trey Wertz drilled a contested three for Notre Dame, while Michigan’s Jett Howard answered with a mid-range jumper. The tension in the arena was palpable, with neither team able to pull away.
Final Moments: A Dramatic Finish
With just over a minute left, Notre Dame held a 67-65 advantage. Michigan had a chance to tie, but a missed free throw by Dickinson left the door open. On the other end, Starling sank a crucial step-back jumper, extending the Irish lead to four.
Michigan attempted a last-ditch comeback, as McDaniel converted a quick layup to cut the deficit to two. With 10 seconds remaining, the Wolverines fouled Starling, sending him to the line. The freshman calmly knocked down both free throws, sealing a 71-67 victory for Notre Dame.
Key Performers
- Notre Dame:
- J.J. Starling: 21 points, 5 assists
- Cormac Ryan: 14 points, 4 rebounds
- Ven-Allen Lubin: 12 points, 8 rebounds
- Michigan:
- Kobe Bufkin: 18 points, 3 steals
- Hunter Dickinson: 16 points, 9 rebounds
- Dug McDaniel: 10 points, 6 assists
Looking Ahead
With this thrilling win, Notre Dame advances to the Sweet 16, where they will face a formidable opponent. Michigan, meanwhile, sees its tournament run come to an end despite a valiant effort.
This game will be remembered as one of the most exciting clashes of the 2025 NCAA Tournament, a testament to the grit and determination of both teams.
