Michigan secured a narrow 83-81 victory over rival Michigan State at the Breslin Center, solidifying their position as the top team in a competitive Big Ten conference. The win featured standout performances from first-year transfers and freshmen, highlighting the Wolverines' quick rebuild under coach Dusty May. A pregame moment where May faced boos from the student section added to the game's lore.
The Michigan Wolverines defeated the Michigan State Spartans 83-81 in a thrilling Big Ten rivalry matchup at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. This Quadrant 1 road win reinforced Michigan's status as the frontrunner in the loaded conference, as noted in updated CBS Sports rankings where the Wolverines sit at No. 4.
Key contributions came from newcomers: Yaxel Lendeborg, a transfer from UAB, led with 26 points and 12 rebounds, positioning him as a potential Big Ten Player of the Year. Elliot Cadeau, from North Carolina, added 17 points and six assists, while Morez Johnson Jr., from Illinois, scored 12 points with four rebounds. Freshman Trey McKenney chipped in 10 points. Notably, all four double-digit scorers were first-year players, underscoring the effectiveness of Michigan's offseason roster construction.
Before tipoff, coach Dusty May created an iconic moment by sitting on the bench in front of Michigan State's student section, the Izzone, amid heavy boos and expletives. May later explained, "I was actually just taking a peek... As soon as I stuck my head out on the court, and at that point, I was like, there's no way I'm not going to run from this smoke now. This stuff doesn't bother me. And so I just let them get all their frustration and their animosity out early, and then that way they can enjoy the game. So I felt like I contributed to the environment just a little bit."
(Note: One report lists the final score as 83-71, but detailed game stats align with 83-81.) Michigan's next challenge is a home game against Penn State on Thursday, followed by road trips to Ohio State on February 9 and Northwestern on February 11. This victory builds on Michigan's strong season, with Arizona holding the No. 1 spot for 21 straight days.
