Michigan Heads to Columbus Riding Historic Momentum for Rivalry Rematch with Ohio State
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The Michigan men’s basketball team is in the middle of something special. At 21-1 overall and 11-1 in Big Ten play, the Wolverines are putting together a season for the ages - and the next chapter unfolds Sunday in Columbus, where they’ll face Ohio State in a rivalry rematch that’s starting to carry even more weight than usual.
Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. at Value City Arena, with CBS handling the broadcast. And if the last meeting between these two is any indication, we’re in for another battle.
Round Two: Rivalry Renewed
It’s been just over two weeks since these teams last met in Ann Arbor. That one was a slugfest - 12 lead changes, momentum swings, and a lot of emotion before Michigan finally pulled away in the final five minutes to secure a 74-62 win. Now, the Wolverines are heading into enemy territory looking to sweep the season series.
And this won’t be the last time these two square off every year. Michigan head coach Dusty May and Ohio State’s Jake Diebler recently made a joint push to the Big Ten to formalize this rivalry as an annual home-and-home series.
The conference gave it the green light, meaning Michigan now has two permanent rivalry series on the calendar: Michigan State and Ohio State. That’s good news for fans - and a challenge for the Wolverines, who now have to gear up for two emotionally charged matchups every season.
Dominance in the Making
Michigan’s current 21-1 record isn’t just impressive - it’s historic. This is officially the best start in program history, surpassing the 20-1 launches by the 2013 Final Four team and the 2019 Sweet 16 squad.
And the way they’re winning? It’s not just about the W’s - it’s how dominant those wins have been.
Seventeen of their victories have come by double digits. Eleven have been by 20 or more.
Nine by 30+. Seven wins have come by 40+ - a Big Ten record.
And yes, there’s even a 50-point blowout on the resume: a 102-50 dismantling of La Salle. This team isn’t just beating opponents - they’re overwhelming them.
Statement Wins Fueling the Streak
Michigan enters Sunday’s game on a seven-game win streak, and it’s not just the quantity of wins - it’s the quality. They snapped Nebraska’s 24-game win streak with a gutsy 75-72 comeback, then followed it up by doing something they hadn’t done in nearly a decade: win in East Lansing.
Their 83-71 win over then-No. 7 Michigan State marked their first road victory there in eight years.
These aren’t just resume builders - they’re tone-setters. Michigan is proving they can win close, win big, and win on the road against elite competition.
Balanced Attack, Deep Rotation
What makes this Michigan team so dangerous is its depth and balance. Head coach Dusty May has a steady nine-man rotation, and five players are averaging double figures - but no one is logging more than 28 minutes per game.
That’s a sign of a team that’s built for the long haul. Fresh legs, fresh energy, and no over-reliance on a single star.
Still, there’s a core trio that’s driving the engine. Michigan’s “Big Three” - Yaxel Lendeborg (14.3 points, 7.2 rebounds), Morez Johnson Jr.
(13.7 points, 7.0 rebounds), and Aday Mara (10.8 points, 7.0 rebounds) - have been the heartbeat of this team. Together, they account for 40% of the team’s scoring and more than half of its rebounding.
They bring size, skill, and consistency night in and night out.
Burnett Breaks Out, Cadeau Dishes History
While the frontcourt has been rock solid, the backcourt’s been making noise too. Nimari Burnett had a night to remember against Penn State, dropping a career-high 31 points on the strength of seven made threes and three dunks.
Before that game, Burnett had only two 20-point outings in his college career - his previous best was 21. That kind of outburst adds another layer of danger to an already loaded lineup.
And then there’s Elliot Cadeau, the steady hand at point guard. His eight assists against Penn State pushed him past the 500-assist milestone - 381 of those came at North Carolina before he transferred, and he’s added 119 more in maize and blue.
Cadeau has dished out six or more assists in four straight games and in five of his last seven. He’s not just running the offense - he’s elevating everyone around him.
Looking Ahead
Michigan may trail in the all-time series with Ohio State (108-85), but the recent trend favors the Wolverines. They’ve won five of the last six meetings, and Sunday presents a chance to keep that momentum rolling while making a statement on the road.
With a historic season unfolding, a rivalry heating up, and a team firing on all cylinders, Michigan heads into Columbus with confidence - and a chance to keep proving they’re not just good this year. They’re special.