Michigan rallies from 16-point deficit to beat Northwestern

Wolverines' depth and young bench players key to comeback victory

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The Michigan Wolverines overcame a 16-point second-half deficit to defeat the Northwestern Wildcats 87-75 on Wednesday night, earning their ninth straight win. Sophomore guards L.J. Cason and Trey McKenney led the charge off the bench, combining for 30 points as Michigan's depth wore down Northwestern over the course of the game.

Why it matters

The victory keeps Michigan in firm control of the Big Ten standings, as they now hold a two-game lead over the rest of the conference with just six games remaining. The Wolverines' ability to rally from a large deficit against a struggling Northwestern team shows their resilience and the value of their deep roster.

The details

Michigan trailed by as many as 16 points in the second half before mounting a furious comeback. Cason led the way with 18 points, while McKenney added 12. The Wolverines' bench outscored Northwestern's 30-9, wearing down the Wildcats over the course of the game. Michigan's veteran starters Roddy Gayle Jr. and Nimari Burnett struggled, but the young duo of Cason and McKenney stepped up to propel the comeback.

  • Michigan trailed by 16 points in the second half.

The players

L.J. Cason

A sophomore guard from Lakeland, Florida who led Michigan with 18 points off the bench.

Trey McKenney

A young guard who scored 12 points in 25 minutes off the bench for the Wolverines.

Roddy Gayle Jr.

A veteran Michigan guard who struggled, scoring just 5 points in 16 minutes.

Nimari Burnett

Another experienced Michigan guard who had an off night, scoring 4 points in 10 minutes.

Nick Martinelli

A Northwestern player who helped the Wildcats build their big lead in the first half.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

The takeaway

Michigan's depth and ability to rally from large deficits have been key factors in their historic 23-1 start to the season. The emergence of young guards like Cason and McKenney has given the Wolverines an added dimension, and their two-game lead in the Big Ten standings puts them in a strong position to win the conference title.