Penn State Overmatched by No. 2 Michigan in Lopsided Loss at Crisler Center
Sometimes, the numbers tell the story before the ball even tips. On Thursday night in Ann Arbor, Penn State entered the Crisler Center with just seven available scholarship players - only two of whom stood taller than 6-foot-8. Across the court, Michigan rolled out a starting five featuring three players 6-foot-9 or taller, including 7-foot-3 center Aday Mara.
The result? A 110-69 rout that underscored the gap between a short-handed, undersized Penn State squad and a deep, physically dominant Michigan team that looks every bit the part of a national title contender.
This was a mismatch in every phase. Michigan was bigger, deeper, older, and simply better - and it showed for all 40 minutes.
A Game That Got Away Early
Penn State actually struck first - a mid-range jumper from Freddie Dilione V just 41 seconds in. But that would be the last Nittany Lion field goal for more than seven minutes. In that stretch, Michigan went on a 15-0 run, and the game was effectively out of reach before the first media timeout had come and gone.
By halftime, the Wolverines had built a 56-24 lead. It was the fourth time in six games that Penn State trailed by at least 18 at the break - and the third time they were down by 28 or more. Against a team like Michigan, that’s a mountain you’re not climbing.
Undermanned and Undersized
Penn State’s frontcourt was decimated before the game even started. Saša Ciani (ankle), Tibor Mirtič (shoulder), and Eli Rice (head) were all ruled out, while 7-footer Ivan Jurić remained sidelined in sweats due to illness.
That left freshman Justin Houser - another 7-footer, but one with limited playing time this season - as the only true big available. Josh Reed, at 6-foot-8, was the tallest starter.
That’s a tough ask against a Michigan front line featuring Mara, Yaxel Lendeborg, and Morez Johnson Jr., all of whom brought size, skill, and experience to the paint.
The Wolverines took full advantage. They dominated the glass with a 44-21 rebounding edge and turned 11 offensive boards into 22 second-chance points. Penn State managed just six second-chance points off nine offensive rebounds.
In the paint, Michigan was relentless. The Wolverines outscored Penn State 50-36 inside, converting 12 of 19 layups and throwing down 11 dunks. And when they weren’t attacking the rim, they were lighting it up from deep - hitting 15 of 29 threes (51.7%).
Burnett Leads the Charge
Guard Nimari Burnett led all scorers with 31 points, becoming the fourth player to drop 30 or more on Penn State this season. He was one of five Wolverines in double figures, joined by L.J.
Cason (12), Trey McKenney (12), Johnson (12), and Mara (11). Lendeborg, a projected NBA draft pick, didn’t need to score much - he finished with six points, but added seven boards and eight assists in a well-rounded performance.
Penn State’s leading scorer was Dilione, who finished with 19 points. Reed and Melih Tunca chipped in 15 apiece, but the team struggled to find rhythm or efficiency. Kayden Mingo, usually a key playmaker, was limited to seven points on 2-of-10 shooting and managed just one assist.
The Nittany Lions shot 37.1% from the field and just 1-of-10 from three. Reed finally broke the drought with 7:22 left in the game after the team missed its first 14 attempts from deep.
A Season of Tough Lessons
This loss marked Penn State’s second 40-point defeat of the season, its third by 30 or more, and its sixth by at least 20. It’s also the second time an opponent has scored 100 in regulation against the Nittany Lions this season - something that had only happened once in the previous 15 years without overtime.
When these two teams met less than a month ago in State College, Penn State pushed Michigan to the wire in a 76-74 thriller. But that version of the Nittany Lions had more bodies, more size, and more rhythm. Thursday night was a different story - one dictated by absences, mismatches, and a Michigan team firing on all cylinders.
What’s Next
Penn State returns home to the Bryce Jordan Center on Sunday to face USC in a noon ET tip on Big Ten Network. It’ll be the program’s annual THON game, honoring the university’s famed dance marathon and pediatric cancer fundraising efforts.
The Trojans come in at 17-6 overall and 6-6 in Big Ten play, fresh off a win over Indiana. For Penn State, it’s another chance to regroup, get healthy, and try to find some footing in a brutal Big Ten stretch.
But after a night like this in Ann Arbor, the message is clear: there’s still a long road ahead.