Michigan uses big second-half rally to beat Michigan State for first time in Breslin Center since 2018
No. 3 Michigan made a statement Friday with an 83-71 victory over No. 7 Michigan State to become sole owner of first place in the Big Ten standings. The Wolverines were coming off a win against Nebraska — one of three undefeated teams in Division I basketball — before improving to 5-0 against AP Top 25 opponents with a victory over their in-state rival.
The Wolverines (20-1, 10-1 Big Ten) have now won six straight games since losing their only game of the season to Wisconsin earlier this month. Michigan is now 7-0 against Quad 1 opponents, and 17 of its 21 wins have been by at least 10 points.
Michigan State (19-3, 9-2) entered the week 12-6 overall against Michigan when both programs were ranked and had won seven of the last nine matchups against its in-state rival. The Wolverines have just three wins in their last 25 meetings at the Breslin Center.
Friday marked Michigan’s first win over MSU on the road since 2018 in one of the most anticipated matchups in Meeting No. 197 between the programs.
Michigan star forward Yaxel Lendeborg led the charge finishing with 26 points and 12 rebounds. The former UAB star recorded his fourth double-double of the season in the victory, while compatriot Elliot Cadeau scored nine of his 17 points in the second half.
Mara continues to be one of the best additions to the transfer portal
Part of what made Michigan so difficult last season was the dual formation May deployed with Wolf and Goldin both starting in the frontcourt. May has maintained a similar style this season, with a front line of Lendeborg, Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara giving opposing teams headaches.
Mara, a former blue-chip recruit during 247Sports’ 2023 recruiting cycle, averages 2.6 blocks per game despite playing just 22.9 minutes per game. The former UCLA big man was underutilized during his time with the Bruins. Case and point? Mara logged at least 20 minutes in just 11 games combined in his two seasons with the program.
Under May at Michigan, Mara became one of, if not the best defenders in college basketball. He shoots 68.9% from the field and is also one of the best passers in the sport. Mara is one of the best additions to the transfer portal in sports.
Mara finished with eight points, five rebounds and three blocks in 21 minutes.
A story in two halves
Michigan State was a completely different team in the second half. The Spartans shot 7 of 26 (2 of 12 from the 3-point line) in the first half, but the final 20 minutes were a different story. Michigan State turned aside 15 of 34 shots (44.1%) in the second half and was able to reduce the deficit.
It all started when MSU opened the second half with a score of 15-4. However, what hurt MSU was the 3-point shooting. As a team, Michigan State was just 4 of 23 from downtown. Michigan State took its first lead of the game with 7:27 left, but Michigan turned away six of its next seven shots to regain the lead for good.
Michigan State, according to KenPom.com, allows the lowest offensive rebound percentage (21.4) in the sport. The Spartans had only allowed double-digit offensive rebounds once (against Arkansas) entering the night. Michigan had 11 offensive rebounds, six of which came from Lendeborg.
When Michigan beat Texas A&M in the second round of the NCAA Tournament last spring, the Wolverines were able to advance by beating the Aggies at their own game: on the offensive glass. Tonight was pretty much the same. Michigan created second chance opportunities in the first half. The Wolverines outscored the Spartans 14-6 in second-chance points.
Michigan’s path to the Big Ten regular season title
In the latest Bracketology projections from CBS Sports, Michigan remains the No. 1 seed alongside Duke, Arizona and Nebraska. With the NCAA Tournament less than two months away, the Wolverines still have time to add to their resume to potentially secure the No. 1 overall spot in the Big Dance.
After getting a win against Michigan State, the path to a Big Ten regular season title is also clearer. Notable conference games the remainder of the season include a road game against Purdue, home games against UCLA and Michigan State, and another road game against No. 9 Illinois. Another game on the schedule (which is obviously non-conference) is a game against Duke on February 21. This matchup could have major stakes as a resume builder for both teams.
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Michigan’s last regular season Big Ten title came in 2021. The Wolverines have won the Big Ten regular season title three times since the turn of the century. Michigan won the Big Ten tournament title and reached the Sweet 16 last season in Dusty May’s first season at the helm. It was one of the best year-to-year turnarounds in college basketball history.
This version of Michigan might be as good as last year. That’s saying a lot after May rebuilt the majority of this roster through the transfer portal and high school recruiting. Michigan is a legitimate national title threat. The Wolverines have what it takes to be the last team standing in Indianapolis this April. This game was a great example of why.
