COLUMBUS, Ohio – The No. 20 ranked Michigan Wolverines (19-5, 11-2 Big Ten) got their revenge when they took down the Purdue Boilermakers 75-73 in Ann Arbor.
Tuesday’s (Feb. 11) victory was not only the Wolverines’ 12th straight win inside Crisler Center and their fifth consecutive win overall, but it also moved them into the No. 1 spot in the Big Ten.
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With that in mind, the Wolverines have seven games remaining, including Sunday’s (Feb. 16) road matchup in Columbus, where they’ll take on the Ohio State Buckeyes at 1 p.m. inside Value City Arena.
Playing against the Buckeyes in any sport is always a big game, but this game is important for one player who once donned the scarlet and grey.
After spending two years with the Buckeyes basketball program, Wolverines guard Roddy Gayle, Jr. entered the transfer portal at the end of the 2023-24 season.
After meeting with possible suitors, Gayle, Jr. picked the men in maize who will play their only matchup against the Buckeyes this season.
There has been much speculation about his decision to leave the Buckeyes and join the Wolverines, including a coaching change, but the junior guard from Niagra Falls has bragging rights to play for.
Although he’s had an up-and-down season with the Wolverines, Gayle’s role with the team is prominent.
Gayle was moved to the bench in the previous two games during the Wolverines’ five-game winning streak to score more runs with the second unit and showcase his talents.
Point guard Tre Donaldson and twin towers Vladislav Goldin and Danny Wolf are all dominant ball handlers.
Gayle is averaging 10.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists with the switch. Although his numbers of 13.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.1 rebounds as a starter are down, his impact with the second has been unmatched thus far.
Some pundits said his dip in production was due to a right wrist injury he suffered in 2023. He played with the injury, which was undiagnosed until after the season.
Many people point to that as why his high-arching jump shot looks broken and why, with the starting five, he’d become a liability on offense. Opposing teams would slack off him because of his shooting ability from beyond the arch.
Coming into this season, Gayle started 21 of the Wolverine’s first 22 games as he dealt with a knee bruise. He is 13 for 59 from three (22%) and one for 18 (5.6%) from long distance in his last 10 games.
The shooting ability is there as he shot 42.9% from the three-point line as a freshman, but that wrist injury he played through as a sophomore left him 29 for 102 from three (28.4%) and needs to get fixed if he wants to not only play at the next level but get some revenge against the fans who once cheered him before he transferred to Michigan.
The Columbus fanbase is one that is unmatched, but maybe the jeers inside the arena he once called home will look to spread love during this Valentine’s Day weekend in a potential Wolverines' victory.
