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No. 3 Michigan beats No. 7 Michigan State, takes sole possession of 1st place in Big Ten
Wolverines move into first place in the Big Ten with victory over rival Spartans
Feb. 1, 2026 at 10:15am
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The No. 3 Michigan Wolverines defeated the No. 7 Michigan State Spartans 83-71 on Friday night, moving into sole possession of first place in the Big Ten conference. Yaxel Lendeborg led Michigan with 26 points and 12 rebounds, while Elliot Cadeau and Morez Johnson also scored in double figures. The Spartans struggled early, missing 14 of their first 18 shots and trailing by as much as 18 points in the first half. Michigan State made a late push to tie the game, but Michigan responded with clutch shooting down the stretch to seal the victory.
Why it matters
This win gives Michigan a key advantage in the Big Ten title race, as they now hold a one-game lead over their in-state rival Michigan State. The Wolverines have now won six straight games and are establishing themselves as one of the top teams in the country, while the loss snaps a seven-game winning streak for the Spartans.
The details
Michigan dominated the first half, building an 18-point lead as Michigan State struggled with turnovers and poor shooting. The Spartans made a run in the second half to tie the game at 57-57, but Michigan responded with clutch shooting to pull away late. The Wolverines shot 8-for-21 from 3-point range, while Michigan State missed 19 of 23 attempts from beyond the arc.
- The game was played on Friday, February 1, 2026.
The players
Yaxel Lendeborg
A key player for the Michigan Wolverines, scoring 26 points and grabbing 12 rebounds in the win.
Elliot Cadeau
Scored 17 points for the Michigan Wolverines in the victory.
Morez Johnson
Added 12 points for the Michigan Wolverines in the win.
Jaxon Kohler
Scored 12 points for the Michigan State Spartans in the loss.
Jeremy Fears
Led the Michigan State Spartans with a career-high 31 points in the defeat.
What they’re saying
“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”
— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident
What’s next
The two teams will meet again on March 8 to close out the regular season.
The takeaway
This win solidifies Michigan's status as one of the top teams in the Big Ten and the country, as they have now defeated a fellow conference contender in Michigan State. The Wolverines' strong outside shooting and ability to respond to the Spartans' second-half run shows their resilience and composure as a team.
