Los Angeles, CA: The cover photo should say enough about #24 Michigan center Vladislav Goldin‘s historic night. Because, honestly Vlad, what a mood.
Goldin finished Michigan’s game on the road at Pauley Pavilion Tuesday night versus the #22 UCLA Bruins with a career-high 36 points all while shooting 72% from the field. Goldin had as many points as the Bruins’ team combined for the first 15 minutes of their game.
Michigan big man Vladislav Goldin just went off against No. 22 UCLA 😳
— B/R Hoops (@brhoops) January 8, 2025
▪️ 36 PTS
▪️ 13-18 FG
▪️ 7 REB pic.twitter.com/88BB2czPOU
On top of being the Wolverines’ leading scorer averaging 15.2 points per game, Goldin’s playing style is displayed via his ability to finish with his back to the basket, making him a reliable low-post anchor. Goldin excels in catching, rolling, and cutting, contributing significantly to Michigan’s interior game.
Throughout the season, Goldin has demonstrated consistent improvement, with notable performances including a 24-point game against Wisconsin and a 26-point game against Oklahoma. His ability to score efficiently in the paint and his defensive presence make him an integral part of the Wolverines’ strategy.
The Florida Atlantic transfer once led the NCAA in field goal percentage for the first two weeks of the 2023-2024 season, all while averaging 15.7 points for the Owls. This season, Goldin ranks fourth in the nation for field goal percentage for the Wolverines.
Players such as Danny Wolfe help to annunciate Goldin’s abilities to get under the rim and score, all while helping him to bring out the inner Wolverine in Goldin. Spacing from the guards allows Goldin to successfully get to the open lane, drive, and throw down the ball on the defender’s head. Pick-and-roll execution allows Goldin to receive great passes dished out to him under the rim or even at the top of the key. To put it plain and simple, Vlad Goldin is a beast; the Tweet below says a lot without saying much at all.
This pass from Danny Wolf to Vlad Goldin 🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/7Q29cKQanU
— Blue By 90 (@bluebyninety) January 8, 2025
Working under head coach Dusty May has helped Goldin to remain consistent with routine play strategies, as was also taught to him when the two were both at Florida Atlantic the last two seasons. Although his team might look a little different this year, his dominance on the court has remained the same; if anything, it has gotten even stronger.
Photo Credits via Jayne Kamin-Oncea – Associated Press
