Roddy Gayle Jr. delivers in crunch time as Michigan edges Northwestern

When it mattered most, Roddy Gayle Jr. delivered. And for a Michigan men’s basketball team that surmounted a “wrestling match” against a Northwestern team that hung tough for 40 minutes and then some, the junior guard’s late-game success illustrated how much he offers for the Wolverines and how glad they are to have him.

Notching Michigan’s final basket of the second half, its first of overtime, and successfully sinking two free throws that eventually became the game-winning points, Gayle was everywhere the Wolverines needed him to be. Seemingly injured no more, one of Michigan’s go-to men made his mark back home in the Crisler Center.

“He was extremely important, and Roddy played really well early in the year and he’s been banged up,” Michigan coach Dusty May said post game.

Indeed, as junior guard Tre Donaldson and junior big man Danny Wolf shot a combined 3-for-19 from the field, Gayle was a steady hand. May emphasized postgame that although graduate center Vlad Goldin contributed more than his fair share, Gayle’s return to form meant everything.

“And tonight, (Wolf and Donaldson) probably had their worst game as far as shot falling and the ball dropping, and Roddy, thank goodness, stayed ready and determined.” May said.