Michigan Basketball's Roddy Gayle Jr. Makes Surprise Admission on Hostile Atmosphere vs. Ohio State

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nick Meyer | Last updated Feb 17, 2025 4:46 PM ET

The Michigan Wolverines basketball team survived a second half comeback attempt against the Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus, Ohio on Sunday, securing an 86-83 win to stay one game ahead of the Michigan State Spartans in the race for first place in the Big Ten Conference.

The Wolverines' win was noteworthy for the return of Roddy Gayle, Jr., a former Buckeyes star who's become a go-to player for coach Dusty May's team this season.

Gayle, Jr. was mercilessly booed every time he touched the ball on Sunday, fighting through the storm to record nine points and eight rebounds including multiple, key second half baskets to hold off his former team.

"I feel like it was a great environment, probably the most fun I've had playing in a basketball game, ever," Gayle Jr. said in the locker room after the game.

Gayle, Jr. admitted it was tough playing through the rain of boos in his former home city in myriad ways. He fought through adversity to help deliver one of the biggest wins of Michigan's season, months after receiving death threats during his transfer from the Buckeye State to the Wolverine State.

The hallways echoed with chants of Gayle Jr.'s name as he celebrated the win with his Michigan teammates.

"It was difficult, to be honest with you I've never experienced anything like it," Gayle, Jr. added. "It was kinda hard to hear my teammates if they were open, but that's just the landscape in which we play," he added.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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