Michigan Beats Michigan State 90-80 in Big Ten Matchup

Yaxel Lendeborg scores 27 points to lead No. 3 Michigan over No. 8 Michigan State

Mar. 8, 2026 at 11:18pm

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In a Big Ten conference matchup, the No. 3 ranked Michigan Wolverines defeated the No. 8 ranked Michigan State Spartans by a score of 90-80. Yaxel Lendeborg led the way for Michigan, scoring 27 points, including 19 in the first half. Morez Johnson Jr. also contributed 18 points for the Wolverines, who extended their conference winning streak to 15 games.

Why it matters

This victory gives Michigan a season sweep over their in-state rival Michigan State, further solidifying their position as the top team in the Big Ten conference. The win also keeps Michigan in contention for a high seed in the upcoming NCAA tournament.

The details

Lendeborg's 27-point performance, including a dominant first half, was the key to Michigan's victory. The Wolverines were able to pull away in the second half, maintaining a comfortable lead throughout to secure the 10-point win over the Spartans.

  • The game was played on Sunday, March 8, 2026.

The players

Yaxel Lendeborg

A standout player for the Michigan Wolverines, Lendeborg scored 27 points in the game, including 19 in the first half.

Morez Johnson Jr.

A key contributor for the Michigan Wolverines, Johnson scored 18 points in the victory over Michigan State.

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The takeaway

Michigan's dominant performance over their in-state rival Michigan State further cements their status as the top team in the Big Ten conference. The Wolverines' ability to win convincingly on the road against a highly ranked opponent shows their potential to make a deep run in the upcoming NCAA tournament.