Wolverines Set for White Out Showdown with UCLA in Crisler Center Clash
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Valentine’s Day weekend is bringing more than just roses to Ann Arbor - it’s bringing a top-tier Big Ten showdown. The second-ranked Michigan Wolverines are back home for a Saturday matinee against UCLA, and if the atmosphere at Crisler Center lives up to the billing, it’s going to be electric.
Tipoff is set for 12:45 p.m. ET, with CBS carrying the national broadcast, featuring the familiar voices of Ian Eagle and Bill Raftery.
Fans are being encouraged to “Wear White” for a full-on White Out, and the first 5,000 through the doors will get rally towels courtesy of Coca-Cola. Expect a raucous crowd - and with good reason. This Michigan team is putting together one of the most dominant seasons in program history.
Bruins Rolling In, But Road Woes Linger
UCLA hasn't taken the floor since February 7, but don’t let the layoff fool you - this team is coming in hot. Winners of five of their last six, the Bruins’ only recent stumble was a heartbreaker: a 98-97 overtime loss to Indiana at home.
They’ve been nearly unbeatable at Pauley Pavilion (14-1), but the road has been a different story. At just 3-6 away from Los Angeles, they’ll have their hands full in a hostile Crisler Center.
A Flashback to 2017: Last Time in Ann Arbor
It’s been a minute since UCLA visited Ann Arbor - 2,989 days, to be exact. The last meeting came back in December 2017, and it was one for the memory books.
Michigan trailed by 15 in the second half before clawing back to force overtime with under 11 seconds left. The Wolverines then outscored UCLA 13-4 in the extra frame to seal a 78-69 win.
Moritz Wagner led the charge with 23 points, Charles Matthews added 20, and Zavier Simpson delivered 15 points and four steals in a gritty comeback performance.
Recent History Favors the Wolverines
The last time these two met was just last season, and Michigan made a statement on the West Coast. After knocking off USC, the Wolverines rolled into Pauley Pavilion and dismantled then-No.
22 UCLA, 94-75. Vladislav Goldin erupted for a career-high 36 points, while Tre Donaldson drilled six threes - including two late back-to-back daggers - to put the game out of reach.
Historic Start, Historic Numbers
At 23-1 overall and 13-1 in Big Ten play, this Michigan squad is off to the best start in school history. That’s saying something, considering the Wolverines have had deep tournament runs in recent memory - including a Final Four trip in 2013 and a Sweet 16 in 2019. With 13 conference wins already, Michigan has now hit double-digit Big Ten victories in 13 of the past 15 seasons.
But it’s not just the wins - it’s how they’re winning. Nineteen of Michigan’s 23 victories have come by double digits.
Twelve wins have been by 20 or more, nine by 30+, and seven by 40+ - a Big Ten record. They even have a 50-point win under their belt this season.
This isn’t just a good team; it’s a team steamrolling its way through the schedule.
After a 14-0 start was snapped by Wisconsin, Michigan has responded like a contender - rattling off nine straight wins, including five on the road and two against top-10 opponents. That’s the kind of bounce-back mentality championship teams are made of.
Dusty May Making History
Head coach Dusty May has wasted no time making his mark in Ann Arbor. He became the fastest coach in program history to reach 50 wins, doing it in just his 61st game. That’s elite company, and it speaks to the culture and consistency he’s building.
Michigan’s Big Three Doing the Heavy Lifting
Michigan’s frontcourt trio of Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson Jr., and Aday Mara has been the engine behind the Wolverines’ success. Together, they’re accounting for nearly 45% of the team’s scoring and more than half of the rebounding. That kind of production from your bigs gives you a physical edge every night.
Lendeborg has been especially dominant on the glass lately, pulling down 45 rebounds over his last four games - good for 11.2 per outing. He’s posted three double-doubles in that stretch, including a season-high 14 boards at Ohio State.
Cadeau Running the Show, McKenney Sparking Off the Bench
Freshman guard Elliot Cadeau has been steady and surgical at the point, dishing out six or more assists in six straight games. He leads the team with 5.5 assists per game and has hit the five-assist mark in 14 different contests. His court vision and tempo control have been crucial to Michigan’s offensive flow.
Meanwhile, Trey McKenney has fully embraced his role as the Wolverines’ sixth man. He’s scored in double figures in seven straight games - 17 total on the season - and is now averaging 10.2 points in just 21 minutes per game. That kind of bench production is a luxury most teams don’t have.
Saturday’s matchup isn’t just another game on the schedule - it’s a measuring stick. UCLA may be battling inconsistency on the road, but they’ve got the talent to challenge anyone. Michigan, meanwhile, is playing like a team with Final Four aspirations and the numbers to back it up.
Crisler Center will be rocking. The towels will be waving. And if the Wolverines keep doing what they’ve been doing, they’ll give their fans - and maybe the rest of the country - another reason to believe this could be a special season in Ann Arbor.