No. 3 Michigan Defeats No. 8 Michigan State to Finish Big Ten Slate 19-1

Wolverines sweep season series against in-state rival Spartans in regular-season finale

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Yaxel Lendeborg scored a game-high 27 points as No. 3 Michigan defeated No. 8 Michigan State 90-80 in the Big Ten regular-season finale on Sunday. The Wolverines finished the conference slate with a 19-1 record, the best in the Big Ten since undefeated Indiana in 1975-76. Michigan State's Jaxon Kohler led the Spartans with 23 points and 8 rebounds, while Jeremy Fears Jr. added 22 points and 9 assists.

Why it matters

This victory caps off an impressive regular season for Michigan, which has established itself as one of the top teams in the country. The Wolverines' dominant performance against their in-state rival Michigan State also solidifies their standing as the team to beat in the upcoming Big Ten tournament.

The details

Michigan jumped out to an early lead but had to withstand a Michigan State comeback in the first half. The Wolverines pulled away in the second half, using a late 11-0 run to build a double-digit advantage. Lendeborg was the star, shooting 12-for-18 from the field, while Morez Johnson Jr. and Roddy Gayle Jr. also made key contributions for Michigan.

  • The game was played on Sunday, March 9, 2026.
  • Michigan finished the Big Ten regular season with a 19-1 record, the best since undefeated Indiana in 1975-76.

The players

Yaxel Lendeborg

A standout junior guard for Michigan who scored a game-high 27 points on 12 shots.

Jaxon Kohler

A key player for Michigan State, leading the Spartans with 23 points and 8 rebounds.

Jeremy Fears Jr.

Michigan State's starting point guard, who contributed 22 points and 9 assists in the loss.

Morez Johnson Jr.

A junior forward for Michigan who posted 18 points and 7 rebounds.

Roddy Gayle Jr.

A sophomore guard for Michigan who scored 15 points in the victory.

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What they’re saying

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The takeaway

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