Michigan Sweeps Rival Michigan State in Top-10 Clash

Wolverines cap historic regular season with victory over Spartans on senior night

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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In a highly anticipated top-10 matchup between Michigan and Michigan State, the Wolverines defeated the Spartans 82-73 to complete the season sweep. Michigan, led by its talented senior class, neutralized Michigan State's physicality with its own size and length to secure the victory in front of a raucous home crowd at Crisler Center.

Why it matters

This game had major implications for bragging rights and momentum heading into the postseason, as both teams are ranked in the top 10 nationally. Michigan's victory caps off one of the best regular seasons in program history and sets them up well for a deep NCAA Tournament run, while Michigan State will look to regroup and make a statement in the Big Ten tournament.

The details

Michigan jumped out to an early lead and maintained control throughout the game, using its depth and balanced scoring attack to wear down the Spartans. The Wolverines' size and length, led by seniors Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara, proved to be too much for Michigan State to handle in the paint. The Spartans kept the game close with their trademark physical defense, but Michigan's seniors made the plays down the stretch to secure the victory.

  • The game was played on Sunday, March 8, 2026 at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
  • This was the regular season finale for both teams.

The players

Dusty May

The head coach of the Michigan Wolverines basketball team.

Tom Izzo

The head coach of the Michigan State Spartans basketball team.

Morez Johnson Jr.

A senior forward for the Michigan Wolverines who controlled the paint in the victory.

Aday Mara

A senior center for the Michigan Wolverines who complemented Johnson Jr. in the frontcourt.

Jeremy Fears Jr.

A Michigan State guard known for his physical and controversial play.

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What they’re saying

“The Wolverines have waited nearly a decade to sweep the Spartans and, with their best team perhaps of all time, capitalize on the moment. Michigan neutralizes MSU's physicality with its own size and length and caps its senior night perfectly.”

— Tony Garcia, Sports Writer (Detroit Free Press)

“Michigan will close out one of its greatest regular seasons with a blowout win over its hated rival, which just escaped losing to lowly Rutgers on senior night at Breslin.”

— Carlos Monarrez, Sports Writer (Detroit Free Press)

What’s next

Both teams will now turn their attention to the postseason, with Michigan looking to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament and Michigan State hoping to bounce back in the Big Ten tournament.

The takeaway

Michigan's dominant performance over its in-state rival capped off an historic regular season for the Wolverines and sets them up as a top contender for the national championship. The senior leadership and balanced scoring attack proved too much for the physical Spartans, showcasing Michigan's readiness for March Madness.