No. 15 Michigan escapes upset vs. Rutgers with deep buzzer-beating 3

After trailing by as much as 13 points to Rutgers, No. 15 Michigan escaped the upset thanks to a deep 3-point heave from Nimari Burnett as the horn sounded.

NIMARI BURNETT OH MY GOODNESS 😱 @umichbball

MARCH CAN’T COME SOON ENOUGH 🔥

(via @BigTenNetwork, @peacock)pic.twitter.com/mqJodWWocC

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) February 28, 2025

Tyson Acuff had handed the Scarlet Knights the lead back at 82-81 with 12 seconds left, converting two of three attempts at the free throw line. Michigan called a timeout to advance the ball and throw together a sideline out-of-bounds play. 

Danny Wolf then took one dribble, tossing it to Burnett, who sank it from deep. Burnett tallied a season-high 20 points, four rebounds and two assists, combining for 42 of Michigan’s 84 points with Vladislav Goldin. Burnett went 2-of-5 from 3-point range, converting when it was most critical for the Wolverines. 

See more: 2025 March Madness men’s bracket predictions, 3 weeks from Selection Sunday

Michigan trailed 57-49 at the halftime break and never led until within the final minute of regulation.

The win improves the Wolverines to 22-6 on the season and 14-3 in conference play, keeping pace at the top of the Big Ten standings with Michigan State — who needed a miracle game-winning buzzer beater of their own to win just one night earlier. Rutgers falls to 14-15 overall and 7-11 in conference play.