The Michigan Wolverines beat the Minnesota Gophers 77-67, clinching a share of the Big Ten title and improving their record to 26-2. The very limited Gopher roster played the Wolverines to within 32-28 at halftime and maintained that four-point cushion for the first 10 minutes of the second half before Michigan went on a run to increase their lead and held on for the win.
Cade Tyson led the way for Minnesota with 20 points while making 5/10 from three.
THE STAT: At this point, we know who we are and
know that Michigan is a legitimate threat to win the national title. Minnesota played one player off the bench for seven minutes, zero minutes in the second half. And Michigan’s bench outscored Minnesota’s 35-0.
TURNING POINT: Grayson Grove made a layup after a Michigan turnover with 10:19 left in the second half to cut the lead to four. But from there, Michigan went on a 19-5 run, opening up the lead to 18 and with just over five minutes remaining, Minnesota’s hopes for a massive upset were vanquished.
HOT: Over his last two games, Tyson is 12/21 from three and averating 23.5 points per game. If his legs are getting tired from playing 40 min every game, it isn’t showing.
NOT: Michigan’s leading scorer, Yaxel Lendeborg, was held to just three points in 24 mnutes played last night. The senior averages 14 points per game and is expected to be a lottery pick, but this was his lowest scoring game since November of 2023 when he was playing for UAB.
GOOD MOVE: The Gophers controlled the pace of the game from the opening tip, and this a key for them to be able to stay in this game with Wolverines. They employed their 2-3 zone immediately and they did not bother to attempt offensive rebounds, allowing them to get back and set up their defense. Not allowing Michigan to score quickly and attempting to neutralize their frontcourt was their best chance at stealing a win.
NOTABLE: Minnesota is now 0-44 against top five teams on the road. I didn’t expect to have a winning record, but you would think they would have lucked into at least ONE road win over a top five team in the program’s history.
UP NEXT: The Gophers get UCLA at home on Saturday morning at 11:00. There are just three games left before the Big Ten Tournament where the Gophers appear to be likely a 12 or 13 seed.
