The #4 Michigan Wolverines just wrapped up their business out west. Honestly, it wasn't the prettiest basketball they've played all year, but Dusty May’s squad is heading back to Ann Arbor with exactly what they needed.
Michigan won the basketball game against Oregon with a final score of 81-71.
This win on Saturday, January 17, at Matthew Knight Arena wasn't just another notch in the win column. It was a statement. After that heart-wrenching three-point loss to Wisconsin at the Crisler Center earlier this month—their first and only loss of the season—there were some whispers. People wondered if the "May Magic" was cooling off.
Well, those whispers are quiet today.
Why the Michigan Basketball Game Was Closer Than the Score Suggests
If you just look at the box score, a 10-point win on the road in the Big Ten looks comfortable. It wasn't.
Oregon came out swinging. They actually led 41-40 at halftime. It was only the third time all season Michigan found themselves trailing at the break. Without their two leading scorers, Nate Bittle and Jackson Shelstad, the Ducks played inspired, scrappy basketball that kept the Wolverines on their heels for the first twenty minutes.
Sean Stewart was a problem. A big one. He dropped a career-high 22 points for the Ducks. But Michigan is ranked #4 for a reason. They have depth that most teams in the country would kill for.
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The Elliot Cadeau Factor
Elliot Cadeau is becoming the undisputed engine of this team. He led the way with 17 points, but it’s the way he scores that changes the energy. He’s got this gear that very few guards in the country can match.
When things got tight in the second half, he was the one getting to the rim or finding the open man. He finished with five assists to go along with those 17 points. It’s funny because earlier in the month against Wisconsin, he scored 19 points—all in the second half—but it wasn't enough. This time, he made sure the effort translated to a "W."
Nimari Burnett and Aday Mara: The Supporting Cast
- Nimari Burnett: He was huge. He scored 15 points and really stepped up when the offense felt stagnant. He hit a massive three-pointer early in the second half that flipped the momentum for good.
- Aday Mara: The big man added 12 points. His presence in the paint is starting to look more refined. He had three blocks and three assists, showing he's more than just a tall body near the rim.
- Yaxel Lendeborg: Only 6 points, but he grabbed 10 boards. You need guys who do the dirty work, and Lendeborg is that guy.
The Turning Point in Eugene
The game basically shifted during a 12-2 run Michigan sparked early in the second half.
Oregon had just taken a 47-46 lead on a Devon Pryor dunk. The crowd was getting into it. The Ducks felt the upset. Then, Michigan just... clicked.
Burnett and Mara started playing off each other like they’d been teammates for a decade. They had back-to-back dunks where they assisted one another. It was high-level basketball that effectively sucked the air out of the building. Michigan shot 60% from the field in that second half. That's how you win on the road.
What This Means for the Big Ten Standings
Michigan is now 16-1 overall and 6-1 in the Big Ten.
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They are firmly in the hunt for a regular-season title. After the "Blue Out" disaster against Wisconsin where they blew a 14-point lead, there was a real risk of a mid-season slump. Instead, they went to Washington and won by ten, then came to Oregon and won by ten.
Sweep.
The Big Ten is a gauntlet this year. Winning road games in the Pacific Northwest isn't a "gimme" anymore, even if the Ducks are struggling with injuries.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Team
A lot of analysts think Michigan is just a "hot shooting" team.
They aren't.
They out-rebounded Oregon 36-30. They forced turnovers when it mattered. They have a defense that can buckle down even when the threes aren't falling (they only shot 49% overall, which is actually a bit "down" for them lately).
Dusty May has built a team that can win ugly. That's the hallmark of a Final Four contender.
Next Steps for Michigan Fans
If you’re following the Wolverines, the schedule doesn’t get any easier, but the home stretch looks promising.
- Watch the Indiana game: Michigan returns home to the Crisler Center on Tuesday, January 20, for a Martin Luther King Day celebration game against the Hoosiers.
- Keep an eye on the injury report: While Michigan is relatively healthy, their depth is their greatest weapon. Watch how the rotation shifts as they get deeper into conference play.
- Check the rankings: Expect Michigan to stay firmly in the top 5 when the new AP Poll drops on Monday.
The Wolverines have survived their West Coast swing. Now, they head back to Ann Arbor to protect their home court and try to reclaim that #1 or #2 spot in the rankings. One thing is certain: this team knows how to respond to a loss.