After a pair of gritty, resume-building wins over Michigan State and Nebraska, Michigan basketball looks like it’s flipped the switch - and Thursday night’s blowout of Penn State might’ve been the loudest statement yet.
Let’s not sugarcoat it: Michigan didn’t just win. The Wolverines dismantled Penn State in a 110-69 rout that felt more like a highlight reel than a conference game.
From the opening tip, this one was all Michigan. A 26-10 lead materialized in the blink of an eye, and the Wolverines never let up.
The Nittany Lions were reeling, and Michigan kept the pressure on.
This wasn’t just about one hot shooting night or a sluggish opponent. This was about a team that’s rediscovering its rhythm - and doing it in dominant fashion.
Shooting the Lights Out
Three-point shooting had been a bit of a sore spot for the Wolverines earlier in the season, but that narrative is changing fast. Against Michigan State, they knocked down 38% from deep. Then came Thursday, and the floodgates opened: 15-of-29 from beyond the arc, good for a blistering 52%.
Nimari Burnett was the headliner, pouring in 31 points on 7-of-10 shooting from deep. He was in rhythm, in control, and completely locked in. When a guy is hitting like that, it energizes the whole team - and that’s exactly what happened.
Yaxel Lendeborg chipped in six points, but this was a night where the scoreboard told the story. Michigan wasn’t just efficient - they were relentless.
Complete Control on Both Ends
This game wasn’t just about offense. Michigan owned the boards, dictated tempo, and held Penn State under 40% shooting from the field. That’s the kind of two-way dominance you expect from a team with national title aspirations.
Sure, Penn State was dealing with some injuries, but that doesn’t take away from what Michigan did. When you’re a top-ranked team facing a shorthanded opponent, the expectation is clear: take care of business. Michigan did that - and then some.
A Historic Start
With the win, Michigan moved to 21-1 - the best start in program history. That’s not just a nice stat; it’s a reflection of how consistent and dangerous this team has been.
This was their eighth 100-point game of the season, and their first since December 29. Even more impressive?
It’s only the second time they’ve cracked triple digits in Big Ten play. That tells you everything you need to know about how dialed in this group is right now.
Back to Contender Form
There was a stretch not long ago when Michigan didn’t quite look like itself. Even while stacking wins, the Wolverines weren’t covering spreads and didn’t seem to have the same edge that made them an early-season juggernaut.
That’s changed.
Since the second half against Nebraska, something has clicked. The energy is back.
The ball movement is sharper. The defense is tighter.
And the confidence? It’s through the roof.
This team is starting to peak again - and they’re doing it at exactly the right time. With the heart of Big Ten play underway and March looming, Michigan is reminding everyone why they were in the national title conversation to begin with.
If this version of the Wolverines sticks around, the rest of the conference - and maybe the country - better be ready.