Vladislav Goldin, Danny Wolf on elite list with Shaquille O’Neal

The seven-footer duo of Vladislav Goldin and Danny Wolf led Michigan throughout the regular season. The Associated Press selected Wolf as a first team All-Big Ten player, and the media selected Goldin for the same honor. The front-court pair works well together, as Wolf is more of a playmaker and Goldin has a bigger presence in the paint.

Goldin and Wolf helped lead Michigan to a conference title, and they also played their way onto a list with arguably the most dominant big-man of all time: Shaquille O’Neal.

Michigan seven-footers Vladislav Goldin and Danny Wolf on elite list

Per CBS Sports, Goldin and Wolf are just the second pair of Division I seven-footers in the past 40 years to each average at least 13 points per game. The first time it happened was in the 1989-90 season when O’Neal and Stanley Roberts were down low for LSU.

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Below is a stat comparison of the duos and their respective seasons.

Averages for Shaquille O’Neal and Stanley Roberts (1989-90)

• O’ Neal: 13.9 points, 12 rebounds, 1.9 assists
• Roberts: 14.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists

Averages for Vladislav Goldin and Danny Wolf (through Big Ten tournament)

• Goldin: 16.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists 
• Wolf: 13.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists

The similarities don’t stop at the stats either. Much like Wolf, Roberts had a wide range of skills that included a jumper. In the early 90s, a seven-footer with the ability to shoot was especially rare. Goldin might not be as overpowering as the Big Aristotle, but he shines in a similar role and is a much better shooter.

In the conference tournament, Goldin and Wolf did more than pull their weight. Goldin averaged 17 points and 7.7 rebounds, and Wolf put up 15.7 points and 11 boards per contest over the three-game stretch. O’Neal and Roberts were knocked out of the 1990 NCAA tournament in the second round, and the Wolverines will hope their four-five combo can take them further.

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