Michigan Topples Rival Michigan State in East Lansing, 83-71: Four Key Takeaways
The No. 3 Michigan Wolverines walked into a hostile Breslin Center and left with a statement win, handing No.
7 Michigan State just its third loss of the season-and on Tom Izzo’s 71st birthday, no less. The 83-71 victory snapped a long drought for Michigan in East Lansing, marking their first win there since 2018.
For head coach Dusty May, it was also his first victory over the Spartans after falling short in both matchups last season.
Coming into the game, Michigan State looked like a team on a mission. The Spartans were 19-2, riding high off a tight win at Rutgers, and sitting at 9-1 in Big Ten play with their only conference blemish coming against No.
5 Nebraska. But Michigan didn’t flinch.
They punched first-and hard-building a 16-point halftime lead with suffocating defense and timely shot-making. And when Michigan State surged in the second half, the Wolverines responded with poise and execution down the stretch, sealing a win that could have major implications come March.
Here are four things that stood out from Michigan’s road win.
1. Yaxel Lendeborg Sets the Tone on Both Ends
Big-time players show up in big-time games, and Yaxel Lendeborg delivered exactly that. The Wolverines’ star forward was the best player on the floor from the opening tip. He dropped 12 points in the first half while anchoring Michigan’s defense, constantly disrupting passing lanes and contesting shots.
Early in the second half, Lendeborg made one of the game’s signature plays-picking off a pass, sprinting in transition, and hammering home a dunk while staring down Jeremy Fears, who had been Michigan State’s most consistent offensive threat. That moment didn’t just swing momentum; it set the tone for Michigan’s second-half toughness.
Lendeborg was relentless on the offensive glass, creating extra possessions and wearing down Michigan State’s frontcourt. He finished with 26 points and was the Wolverines’ heartbeat on both ends. In a game full of momentum swings, Lendeborg was the constant.
2. Michigan State’s Second-Half Push Falls Short
Give credit to Tom Izzo’s crew-they didn’t go quietly. After a rough first half where they shot just 27% and turned the ball over 11 times, the Spartans came out of the locker room with renewed energy.
They made five of their first nine shots and strung together a 9-0 run that completely erased Michigan’s lead. When Jaxon Kohler knocked down a three to tie it at 55 with eight minutes to go, the Breslin Center was rocking, and it felt like the tide had turned.
But Michigan didn’t panic.
They answered with free throws from Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr., and a massive three from Will Tschetter to reclaim control. Down the stretch, it was Michigan that executed like the veteran team-getting stops, hitting free throws, and making plays when it mattered most.
An emphatic dunk from Johnson, a clutch triple from Elliot Cadeau, and another Lendeborg finish in traffic gave Michigan a six-point cushion with two minutes left. From there, they closed it out like a team that’s been in big moments before.
3. Trey McKenney Continues to Impress
Freshman guards don’t usually thrive in environments like the Breslin Center. But Trey McKenney isn’t your typical freshman.
The young guard came off the bench and gave Michigan a huge spark, scoring eight first-half points, including a pair of threes. One of those triples pushed Michigan’s lead to 37-21 and forced a Michigan State timeout. It was a veteran move from a freshman who continues to look more and more comfortable on the big stage.
McKenney also had a key bucket early in the second half when the Spartans were surging-knocking down a tough jumper from the short corner to quiet the crowd. He did force a couple of rushed looks from deep later on, but overall, his 10 points off the bench were crucial in a game where every possession mattered.
There’s a maturity to McKenney’s game that’s hard to teach. If he keeps trending upward, don’t be surprised if he plays a major role in the postseason.
4. Fast Start Sets the Tone
Michigan wasted no time setting the tone in this one. They attacked the rim early-getting buckets from Aday Mara in the post and a strong drive by Cadeau.
Then came the perimeter work: threes from Lendeborg and Cadeau stretched the lead to double digits, and Mara added two more inside to make it 15-5. Meanwhile, Michigan State stumbled out of the gate, hitting just two of their first 10 shots.
The Wolverines’ defense was locked in from the jump. They rotated well, contested everything, and forced the Spartans into difficult looks.
Even when Michigan’s half-court offense wasn’t clicking perfectly, their defense more than made up for it. That’s been a theme during their best stretches this season-defense turning into offense, and early stops creating rhythm on the other end.
By the time the first half ended, Michigan had built a 16-point lead, and it was clear they weren’t just hoping to hang around-they came to win.
Final Thoughts
This wasn’t just a rivalry win. It was a resume-builder, a confidence-booster, and maybe even a defining moment in Michigan’s season. They beat a top-10 team on the road, in one of the toughest environments in college basketball, and did it by playing connected, winning basketball.
Two top-10 wins in one week? That’s the kind of stretch that championship-caliber teams put together.
The Wolverines are rolling-and the rest of the Big Ten has officially been put on notice.