There's a significant development for Michigan basketball's point guard, Tre Donaldson. Once operating under the radar, the Wolverines are now in the spotlight. On Friday afternoon, Donaldson playfully joked about enjoying the team's slow climb in the polls this season. Michigan entered the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll at No. 23 this week and is still unranked in the Associated Press poll. But come March, when it truly matters, the team aims to make an impact.

Michigan Basketball's Journey from Under the Radar to the Forefront

Highlight Reel Crossover and Early Run

In the first half, Donaldson's highlight reel crossover sent the Crisler Center crowd into a frenzy. This was part of an early 17-2 run that set the tone. Though the Hawkeyes later evened the score, Donaldson's three-point play with 2:34 left and a floater 3 seconds before halftime kept Michigan rolling. His play was crucial in establishing the team's early lead.During this stretch, Michigan dominated in various aspects. They held Iowa to just two points in transition at the break and shot 50% from the floor compared to Iowa's 38.5%. However, they also had 11 more turnovers than Iowa, which the Hawkeyes turned into a 13-0 advantage in points off giveaways. But the Wolverines' dominance on the glass, with a 27-13 edge, and in second chance points, with a 12-4 lead, gave them an edge.

Iowa's Late Comeback and U-M's Resilience

Michigan led by 11 with 6:30 to play, but the Hawkeyes went on a 17-7 run to tie the game at 83 with 20 seconds left. Dusty May's timeout and set play for Roddy Gayle Jr. almost gave U-M the win, but a goaltending call gave them one last chance. Iowa got the ball with 4.3 seconds left and called timeout with 1.1 seconds left. A late Payton Sandfort heave fell short, and U-M (8-1, 2-0 Big Ten) escaped with its seventh straight win.This win showcased Michigan's resilience. After Iowa's comeback, the Wolverines withstood the pressure and made the necessary plays to secure the victory. Five Wolverines scored in double figures, with Vlad Goldin having 20 points and 11 rebounds, Donaldson with 18 and five assists, Gayle with 17 points, five assists and four rebounds, Danny Wolf with 13 points and 14 rebounds, and Will Tschetter adding 13.

Second Half Struggles and Comebacks

The first half was a mixed bag for Michigan. While they dominated in some areas, turnovers and Iowa's bench play gave the Hawkeyes a chance. In the second half, Iowa took the lead early, but Michigan fought back. Goldin's putback gave them the lead back, and Wolf's layup and jumper sparked a run. Tschetter's finishes and Donaldson's scoring runs kept Michigan in the lead, but Iowa stayed hot and tied the game multiple times.Michigan's defense tightened up, and they used a 20-9 run to take a lead. But they then went more than five minutes without a basket, allowing Iowa to make a comeback. However, their stops and timely plays, like Wolf's reckless pass that led to a travel and then a stop on the press break, showed their ability to handle pressure.In conclusion, Michigan's win over Iowa demonstrated their resilience and ability to perform under pressure. With a tough schedule ahead, including a game against Arkansas and John Calipari, the Wolverines will need to continue to build on this success.