Michigan Takes Down MSU 90-80 in Regular Big 10 Season Finale

The third-ranked University of Michigan men's basketball team defeated eighth-ranked Michigan State, 90-80, on Sunday afternoon (March 8) at Crisler Center. The Wolverines used an 11-0 second-half run to regain the lead and never relinquished it, improving to 29-2 overall and 19-1 in Big Ten play. The victory came on Senior Day, as the team posed for its 2026 Big Ten championship photo. (Photo by MGBlue.com)

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	Seniors and Graduate Students Exhausting EligibilityThe following players are in their final year of collegiate eligibility and are expected to depart after this postseason: Nimari Burnett (G): Will Tschetter Roddy Gayle Jr. (G): (F): Yaxel Lendeborg (F): Charlie May (G) (Photo by MGBlue.com)
	Michigan Takes Down MSU 90-80 in Regular Big 10 Season Finale Bunky McFadden - Sports Tell Us Detroit News ANN ARBOR — In a raucous Crisler Center packed with maize and blue faithful, the Michigan Wolverines closed out their regular season in emphatic fashion on Sunday evening, dispatching the rival Michigan State Spartans 90-80 in a clash that had Big Ten tournament seeding implications and years of rivalry pride on the line. Forward Yaxel Lendeborg was simply unguardable, pouring in a game-high 27 points on a blistering 8-of-12 from the field — including 5-of-6 from three-point range — while shooting a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line. His 83.3% clip from beyond the arc was a masterclass in shooting efficiency that left the Spartan defense scrambling all night.(Photo by MGBlue.com) The game was tight through the first half, with the Wolverines holding just a 42-41 edge at the break. But Michigan came out of the locker room with renewed intensity in the second half, outscoring Michigan State 48-39 to pull away decisively. At its widest, Michigan led by 11 points — a margin that reflected the Wolverines' commanding second-half performance. Roddy Gayle Jr. added 15 points in efficient fashion, going 4-of-5 from the floor while drawing seven free throws and contributing four rebounds and three assists. (Photo by MGBlue.com) Morez Johnson Jr. chipped in 18 points with seven boards, providing a powerful interior presence that complemented Lendeborg's perimeter brilliance. Trey McKenney rounded out the balanced Wolverine attack with 12 points off the bench. Michigan's shooting numbers told the story of dominance: 49.1% from the field overall, 45.5% from three-point range, and an eye-popping 89.7% from the free-throw line on 26-of-29 attempts. The Wolverines also shot 75% at the rim, converting 12 of their 16 attempts in the paint area. Spartan Bright Spots Can't Overcome Deficit Michigan State was far from lifeless. Forward Jaxon Kohler delivered an outstanding performance, finishing with 23 points on a superb 10-of-13 shooting — including 2-of-4 from beyond the arc — while grabbing eight rebounds and dishing out three assists. His 76.9% field goal percentage was among the best marks of the night for either team. Guard Jeremy Fears Jr. was equally impressive, contributing 22 points — largely powered by a 10-of-12 showing at the free-throw line — and distributing nine assists against just three turnovers for a sterling 3.0 assist-to-turnover ratio. Center Carson Cooper provided 19 points and six rebounds in the post.. (Photo by MGBlue.com) Despite those individual efforts, Michigan State was undone by 22 personal fouls and inconsistent three-point shooting at just 33.3% (6-of-18). The Spartans did dominate points in the paint — scoring 40 to Michigan's 30 — but the Wolverines' precision from the perimeter and the charity stripe ultimately proved decisive. Looking Ahead: Big Ten Tournament Bound With the victory, Michigan heads into the Big Ten Tournament riding high following a quality regular-season close. The Wolverines are scheduled to host a third-round matchup on March 13, while Michigan State will also return to postseason action on March 13-14. Sunday's result was a fitting end to a storied in-state rivalry matchup that lived up to its billing, producing a competitive first half before Michigan's depth and shooting touch proved the difference. With 29 bench points from the Wolverines compared to just 8 from the Spartans, the reserves' contribution underscored the depth advantage Michigan enjoyed in this one.