After a nail-biting four-point win over Ohio State, Michigan head coach Dusty May quipped about his love for close games. Saturday's showdown against Wisconsin surely added to his affection, as Michigan edged out a victory with a dramatic last-second three-pointer by Big Ten Player of the Year, Yaxel Lendeborg.
In a contest that began slowly but turned into a barnburner, Michigan emerged victorious in a classic Big Ten battle. The game was a showcase of grit and skill, with both teams clawing and fighting until the very end. Coach May summed it up perfectly, calling it a "fabulous basketball game" filled with high-level shots and plays.
The game didn't start with fireworks. Michigan, led by Aday Mara, managed to stifle Wisconsin’s dynamic duo, Nick Boyd and John Blackwell.
Though Boyd and Blackwell combined for 15 points in the first half, they needed 16 shots to get there. Wisconsin struggled from the floor, shooting just 32%, but relied on seven three-pointers to keep Michigan on its toes.
Michigan, on the other hand, found itself in a familiar spot, struggling offensively with point guard Eliot Cadeau benched due to foul trouble. The Wolverines trailed 26-18 with just over four minutes left in the half. But they rallied, finishing on a 10-2 run, capped by Lendeborg's buzzer-beating three to tie the game at halftime.
After regrouping in the locker room, Michigan returned with renewed vigor. Coach May emphasized aggression and fearlessness during the break, urging his team to "let it rip." And rip they did, as the Wolverines, with Cadeau back in action, opened the second half with a 26-11 run, building a 15-point lead.
Yet, the Badgers weren't done. Austin Rapp, the 6’10” sophomore from Australia, caught fire, draining five consecutive three-pointers. His barrage, including four in less than two and a half minutes, propelled Wisconsin to a four-point lead with under four minutes remaining.
Lendeborg admitted feeling "helpless" during Rapp's scoring spree, which evoked memories of Dante DiVincenzo's legendary performance against Michigan in the 2018 national championship. But Michigan remained composed, a trait that's become a hallmark of their season.
“We just need to stay level-headed and keep our composure in those moments,” Cadeau reflected after the game. And that's exactly what they did. Aday Mara's baskets tied the score, and after Cadeau and Boyd exchanged clutch threes, Michigan had the ball for one final possession in a tie game.
The play was designed for Lendeborg to post up, but when that didn’t pan out, Cadeau kept his cool, driving and finding Lendeborg open for the game-winning shot. It was Lendeborg's first game-winning shot of his career, and it couldn't have come at a better time.
Despite the loss, Wisconsin proved it will be a formidable opponent in the NCAA tournament, boasting one of the top backcourts and skilled shooting big men. Michigan, meanwhile, advanced to the conference championship, aiming to defend its title-a feat not accomplished in nearly a decade.
Reflecting on the hard-fought win, Coach May expressed pride in his team's ability to manage emotions and find a way to win. "When you get this late in the season, you’ve got to figure out some different ways," he noted. And figure it out they did, in thrilling fashion.