Tre Time: Donaldson’s Clutch Heroics Propel Michigan’s March Madness Run
Just a few weeks ago, Tre Donaldson was struggling. His scoring had dipped, averaging less than seven points per game since mid-February. But when the stakes rose, so did his game. The Big Ten tournament reignited his confidence, and his clutch performances have carried over into March Madness.
On Thursday, Donaldson filled the stat sheet once again, posting 12 points, seven rebounds, and three assists—each ranking second on the team. More importantly, his timing was impeccable. His go-ahead three-pointer in the final minutes helped Michigan escape with a win over UC San Diego, just as he had done multiple times before.
Last weekend in the Big Ten tournament, Donaldson made his presence felt in the closing moments. Against Maryland in the semifinals, he drilled a three-pointer with 28 seconds remaining, then drove coast-to-coast for a game-winning layup. The next day, in the championship against Wisconsin, he nailed another clutch three with under two minutes left, securing the Wolverines’ title.
His ability to rise in crucial moments has not gone unnoticed. “The last two minutes of the game,” teammate Rubin Jones said, “it’s just a different Tre.”
Donaldson’s big shots weren’t limited to crunch time. He opened the scoring on Thursday with a floater, added another three to push Michigan’s first-half lead to 12, and, perhaps most importantly, ended UCSD’s 12-0 second-half run with a crucial three-pointer.
Head coach Dusty May praised his team’s ability to find ways to win close games. Michigan is now 13-4 in games decided by four points or fewer, including an 11-0 streak in such contests. “Maybe we’ve spoken it into existence,” May said, “but this group believes in each other.”
While contributions came from all over—Vlad Goldin’s 14 points and seven rebounds, Roddy Gayle Jr.’s 11 points, and Wolf’s near double-double—Donaldson has been the difference-maker when it matters most.
A self-proclaimed “gamer,” he’s proving that label true, one clutch moment at a time.
