Michigan Outlasts Michigan State in Rivalry Thriller, Dusty May Era Hits New High
In a rivalry that rarely disappoints, Friday night’s showdown between Michigan and Michigan State delivered another instant classic. The Wolverines walked into the Breslin Center, absorbed an 18-point haymaker from the Spartans, and still found a way to leave with a win - their first in East Lansing in years. For head coach Dusty May, it wasn’t just a statement win - it was a defining moment early in his tenure at Michigan.
The Spartans, backed by a raucous home crowd, came out swinging. Their energy on both ends of the floor overwhelmed Michigan early, and the scoreboard told the story - Michigan State led by as many as 18. But basketball is a game of runs, and Michigan had one of their own waiting.
The Wolverines clawed their way back in the second half, flipping the script with gritty defense, timely shooting, and a relentless effort on the glass. They even took the lead late, only to see Michigan State respond with a final push of their own. But when it mattered most, Michigan made the plays - chasing down loose balls, grabbing tough rebounds, and staying composed in a hostile environment.
After the game, Dusty May didn’t talk about revenge or rivalry theatrics. Instead, he focused on respect - for the moment, for the opponent, and for what his team just accomplished.
“We respect these guys from Michigan State a great, great deal,” May said postgame. “I still remember being a little kid in Southern Indiana, going to an IU game and watching Shawn Respert probably put up 44.
There are moments as a kid where you just go, ‘Wow.’ Tonight felt like that - it was electric.”
That electricity was felt throughout the building, but it was Michigan who kept their composure when things got tight. May praised his team for staying locked in, even when it looked like the game was slipping away.
“We’ll refer back to these moments,” he said. “We figured out a way to not collapse when it looked bleak.”
That resilience is becoming a hallmark of May’s squad. This wasn’t just about snapping a losing streak in East Lansing - though that certainly doesn’t hurt. It was about proving they could win on the road, in one of the toughest environments in college basketball, against a team that had their number last season.
When asked about the significance of ending Michigan’s drought in East Lansing, May kept things focused on the present. Quoting Curt Cignetti, he simply said: “This team hasn’t played here.”
In other words, this isn’t the same Michigan team that’s been on the wrong end of this rivalry in recent years. This group is writing its own story - and so far, it’s off to a strong start.
“Obviously, this is big for our fans,” May added. “But this was more about us winning on the road, because we have a difficult schedule coming up.”
With that schedule looming, Michigan’s win in East Lansing is more than just a notch in the win column. It’s a sign that this team is learning how to fight, how to finish, and how to grow under pressure. And if this game is any indication, the Dusty May era in Ann Arbor is just getting started - and it’s already turning heads.