Michigan Defeats Michigan State in Big Ten Showdown

Wolverines take Round 1 in heavyweight basketball matchup

Jan. 30, 2026 at 11:15pm

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The No. 3 Michigan Wolverines defeated the No. 7 Michigan State Spartans 83-71 in a Big Ten conference matchup on Friday night. Michigan's Yaxel Lendeborg led the way with 26 points and 12 rebounds, while Elliot Cadeau and Morez Johnson also scored in double figures for the Wolverines. Michigan State struggled early, missing 14 of their first 18 shots and trailing by as much as 18 points in the first half. The Spartans made a run in the second half to tie the game, but Michigan responded with clutch shooting down the stretch to seal the victory.

Why it matters

This game was a highly anticipated matchup between two of the top teams in the Big Ten conference. The win puts Michigan in sole possession of first place in the conference standings, while handing Michigan State its second conference loss of the season. The rivalry between these two programs is one of the fiercest in college basketball, and this game sets the stage for the second meeting between the teams later in the season.

The details

Michigan dominated the first half, building an 18-point lead as Michigan State struggled to make shots and turned the ball over 11 times. The Spartans made a push in the second half, going on a 13-2 run to pull within three points and eventually taking a brief lead. However, Michigan responded with clutch shooting, making 5 of 6 shots while holding Michigan State scoreless for more than three minutes to seal the victory. The Wolverines had a big advantage in 3-point shooting, making 8 of 21 attempts compared to just 4 of 23 for the Spartans.

  • The game was played on Friday, January 31, 2026.
  • Michigan and Michigan State will meet again on March 8, 2026 to close out the regular season.

The players

Yaxel Lendeborg

A standout player for the Michigan Wolverines, Lendeborg led the team with 26 points and 12 rebounds in the victory.

Elliot Cadeau

The Michigan guard scored 17 points to help the Wolverines defeat their in-state rivals.

Morez Johnson

Michigan forward Morez Johnson added 12 points to the Wolverines' winning effort.

Jeremy Fears

The Michigan State guard scored a career-high 31 points in the losing effort for the Spartans.

Jaxon Kohler

The Michigan State forward scored 12 points, including a 3-pointer that tied the game late in the second half.

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What they’re saying

“We must have been a little too amped up at the start, but I'm proud of the way our guys battled back in the second half. This was a tough, hard-fought game against a great rival, and we'll learn from this experience.”

— Tom Izzo, Head Coach, Michigan State Spartans

“Our guys really stepped up and made the plays we needed to down the stretch. Yaxel was dominant inside, and our perimeter shooting made the difference. This was a big win for us, but we know we'll have to bring that same intensity when we see them again in March.”

— Juwan Howard, Head Coach, Michigan Wolverines

What’s next

The two teams will meet again on March 8, 2026 to close out the regular season. This rematch at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor will likely have major implications for the Big Ten title and NCAA Tournament seeding.

The takeaway

This game highlighted the intensity and competitiveness of the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry, as two of the top teams in the Big Ten battled it out. The win gives Michigan the upper hand heading into the second matchup, but the Spartans have shown they can make a comeback, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the regular season series.