Michigan Basketball Keeps Rolling, But Still Chasing No. 1
Michigan basketball just wrapped up one of its most impressive weeks in recent memory - and somehow, it still wasn’t quite enough to grab the top spot in the rankings.
At 20-1 overall and 10-1 in Big Ten play, the Wolverines are tied for the best 21-game start in program history. But in the latest USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, they remain locked in at No.
- The reason?
No. 1 Arizona is still perfect at 22-0 and one of only two undefeated teams left in Division I, alongside Miami (Ohio).
So while Michigan’s resume is sparkling, there’s no shame in trailing a team that hasn’t dropped a game.
Still, what Michigan accomplished this past week deserves serious recognition.
Let’s start with the gauntlet they just ran. In a four-day span, the Wolverines knocked off two top-10 teams - then-No.
5 Nebraska and then-No. 8 Michigan State - showing off grit, depth, and some serious late-game poise.
Comeback Kings vs. Nebraska
The week opened with a nail-biter at home against Nebraska. Michigan trailed by as many as 11 points but flipped the script late, closing the game on a 10-2 run to pull out a 75-72 win. It was the kind of performance that speaks volumes about a team’s mental toughness.
Morez Johnson Jr. was a force, finishing with 17 points and 12 rebounds. But what really stood out was Michigan’s balance.
Six other players chipped in between seven and 11 points - a testament to how deep and versatile this group is. And after giving up 50 points in the first half, the Wolverines locked in defensively, holding Nebraska to just 22 points over the final 20 minutes.
That second-half adjustment wasn’t just about effort - it was about execution.
Ending the East Lansing Drought
But the real statement came Friday night. Michigan walked into the Breslin Center - a place they hadn’t won in eight years - and left with an 83-71 victory over rival Michigan State.
Yaxel Lendeborg was the headliner, and rightfully so. He poured in 26 points and grabbed 12 boards, controlling the game on both ends.
But Elliot Cadeau’s fingerprints were all over the win, too. He hit a clutch hook shot in the lane, threw a perfectly timed alley-oop to Johnson, and then drilled a dagger three to push the lead to 69-63 with just over three minutes to go.
After that, Michigan State never got back within one possession.
That’s the kind of late-game execution that separates contenders from pretenders. And Michigan, make no mistake, is very much in the contender category.
Big Ten Picture and What’s Next
The rest of the Big Ten rankings saw a bit of a shuffle. Illinois climbed four spots to No. 6 after taking down Nebraska, who dropped to No.
- Michigan State slid to No. 10, and Purdue held steady at No.
As for Michigan, the road ahead isn’t quite as headline-grabbing, but it’s no time to let up. They host Penn State on Thursday (6:30 p.m.
ET, FS1) and then head to Columbus for a rivalry matchup with Ohio State on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, CBS).
These are the kind of games that don’t always grab national attention, but they matter just as much - especially with the Wolverines trying to stay in control of their Big Ten fate.
Since their lone loss to Wisconsin last month, Michigan has ripped off six straight wins, five of them by double digits. They’re not just winning - they’re dominating. And while the No. 1 ranking remains just out of reach for now, they’re firmly on track for a top seed come March.
The Wolverines are peaking at the right time - and with every game, they’re looking more and more like a team nobody wants to see in the tournament.