For the first time in eight years, Michigan walked into the Breslin Center and walked out with a win - and not just any win. The Wolverines weathered a furious Michigan State comeback and still managed to pull away late, finishing with an 83-71 victory that felt like a statement.
Rivalry games rarely go quietly, and this one had everything: swings in momentum, physical play, and the kind of emotional edge that only Michigan vs. Michigan State can deliver.
The Spartans clawed all the way back from a 16-point first-half deficit, even taking the lead a few times in the second half. But when it mattered most, Michigan responded like a team with serious postseason aspirations. The Wolverines closed strong, out-executing and outlasting their in-state rivals to secure a double-digit win on the road - something they hadn’t done in East Lansing since 2018.
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo, celebrating his 71st birthday, wasn’t in a celebratory mood afterward. His postgame remarks reflected both frustration and a clear-eyed assessment of what went wrong.
“Disappointed would be an understatement,” Izzo said. “I did not like the way we played. Give Michigan credit, they played well, I guess.”
That “I guess” carried weight. Izzo, a Hall of Famer with 27 straight NCAA Tournament appearances under his belt, has seen just about everything in college basketball.
He praised his team’s resilience in fighting back, but he knew the hole they dug in the first half was too deep. Against a team as big and talented as Michigan, that kind of early deficit is a recipe for trouble.
And Michigan is big - really big. The Wolverines boast the kind of size and versatility that makes them a nightmare to prepare for.
They’re now back atop the KenPom rankings, and it’s not hard to see why. Izzo acknowledged as much when asked about the challenge of matching up with them.
“They have enormous size,” he said. “They got as good a size as anyone in the country. So yeah, it’s difficult.”
To Michigan State’s credit, they didn’t shy away from the physicality. The Spartans actually won the battle in the paint (32-26), matched Michigan on the boards (36-36), and had more fast-break points (18-15) and points off turnovers (19-10).
Statistically, they did enough to stay in the game - and they did. But Michigan’s depth and ability to finish late ultimately tilted the game.
Izzo didn’t hold back when asked about the officiating, though he made it clear that his team’s execution - or lack thereof - was the bigger issue.
“I was disappointed in officiating, but more disappointed in my team,” he said. “I think we played well enough, I think there were some bizarre calls, and I thought [Michigan] made the plays.”
That’s the heart of it. Michigan made the plays.
In rivalry games, that’s often the difference. And while the officiating drew some heat from both sides - Michigan head coach Dusty May even said the crew “earned their Big Ten salary” - the game was called like a rivalry should be: physical, intense, and with a little room to let the players decide it.
May, who picked up his first win over Michigan State in three tries, wasn’t interested in talking about streaks or history. His focus was on the moment - and on the road ahead.
“We stole it from the Indiana at Penn State football game,” May said, referencing a quote from Indiana coach Curt Cignetti. “He said, ‘This team has never played here,’ so we just went into it. Obviously last year we were 0-2 against these guys, but this team that we have in our locker room, they were 0-0.”
It’s a mindset that fits this Michigan team. They’re not carrying the weight of past losses - they’re focused on what’s in front of them. And right now, what’s in front of them is a brutal Big Ten schedule and a real shot at something special.
For Michigan State, the loss stings. Rivalry games always do.
But Izzo’s group showed fight, and in a league as deep and unforgiving as the Big Ten, that grit still matters. The Spartans didn’t finish the job this time, but they’ll have more chances - and you can bet Izzo will have them ready.
As for Michigan? They just sent a message - not just to their rivals, but to the rest of the conference.
This team can win tough games on the road. And they’re not done yet.