In front of a large Michigan crowd at Little Caesars Arena, No. 6 Michigan edged Wake Forest 85-84 in overtime, a tense non-conference win that finished late and close. The Wolverines struggled from distance and at the free-throw line but made enough defensive plays and timely baskets to survive. This marked the second straight season Michigan and Wake Forest met out of conference; last year’s matchup produced Wake Forest’s 72-70 win, Dusty May’s first loss with the Demon Deacons. The result gives Michigan its second victory of the season while offering the young roster a valuable late-game learning experience.
Key Takeaways
- Final score: Michigan 85, Wake Forest 84 (OT) at Little Caesars Arena, a one-point victory decided in overtime.
- Overtime defense: Michigan produced momentum-saving blocks from Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara and scored early in the extra period to secure the win.
- 3-point struggles: Michigan made just 4-of-25 from beyond the arc while Wake Forest went 10-of-34, a 3-point edge that kept the game close.
- Free-throw issues: Michigan was 18-for-36 at one stage and finished the game shooting 67.6 percent from the line, including several late misses.
- Turnovers nag again: Michigan committed 17 turnovers, four more than Wake Forest; early miscues produced a 9-0 run that helped Wake build an early lead.
- Standout performances: Elliot Cadeau delivered 17 points, eight rebounds and seven assists; Aday Mara finished with 18 points, 14 rebounds, five blocks and six assists.
- Size and playmaking: Michigan leaned on its size—Mara and Yaxel Lendeborg—using interior passing and close-range scoring to offset poor perimeter shooting.
Background
These programs met for the second consecutive non-conference season, with Wake Forest having taken last year’s meeting 72-70 in what was the first loss of the Dusty May era. Wake Forest entered this game projected 11th in the ACC preseason poll and ranked 66th on KenPom ahead of the matchup, positioning the Demon Deacons as a likely bubble team come March. Michigan arrives with a roster heavy on transfers and question marks about chemistry and ball security; the program struggled with turnovers last season and entered this game looking to reduce those mistakes.
The matchup was scheduled at Little Caesars Arena to give Michigan fans easier access and a neutral-campus feel; the venue produced a near-home environment for the Wolverines. Both teams are still early in the season and experimenting with lineups and rotations. For Michigan, that means leaning on interior size and defensive possessions while continuing to develop cohesion on offense. For Wake Forest, the expectation is to fight for March positioning and use non-conference games to build a resume.
Main Event
The game tightened into overtime after a second-half scoring lull from both teams. Michigan opened the extra session with quick baskets from Aday Mara and Roddy Gayle Jr., taking a two-point lead that they would defend tenaciously. Key defensive plays—most notably blocks by Morez Johnson Jr. and Mara—stopped Wake attempts and swung momentum.
The game had a dramatic final minute of regulation and OT. Cooper Schwieger tied it with a contested hook shot over Johnson, then Trey McKenney was whistled for a charge on a half-court set that sent Mekhi Mason to the line with 1:13 remaining; Mason missed both free throws. Later, Elliot Cadeau was called for a charge on a drive, producing another stoppage and a turnover challenge. After a defensive stop, Cadeau made one of two free throws with 28.1 seconds left to give Michigan a precarious advantage.
Wake Forest’s last attempt in overtime rimmed out, and Michigan held on. While the Wolverines were fortunate to escape such a tight finish, the win provided real late-game experience for a roster still learning to close out close contests. Michigan’s interior offense and defensive effort in crunch time compensated for persistent perimeter misses.
Analysis & Implications
Three-point shooting was the clearest shortcoming: 4-of-25 from deep is not sustainable for a team that must stretch defenses. Michigan consistently generated looks from beyond the arc but the shots did not fall, forcing the Wolverines to rely on points in the lane and in transition. If perimeter shooting regresses further, opposing defenses will be able to pack the paint and dare Michigan to hit outside shots.
The free-throw performance merits immediate attention. At one point Michigan was 18-for-36 from the line—effectively 50 percent for a passage of the game—and though the team finished 67.6 percent overall, several late misses nearly cost them the game. Coaches will likely emphasize foul shooting in practice; consistent free-throw shooting is a basic way to protect leads in close games.
Turnovers remain an expensive habit. Seventeen giveaways—four more than Wake Forest—undermined offensive rhythm and gifted Wake Forest easy scoring runs, including the early 9-0 spurt that produced an 11-7 lead. The Wolverines must balance aggressive ball movement with secure handling, especially against teams that pressure the ball. If Michigan reduces its turnover rate closer to average DI levels, the team’s defensive strengths and interior scoring could translate to cleaner wins.
Comparison & Data
| Stat | Michigan | Wake Forest |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 85 | 84 |
| 3-Point (M-A) | 4-25 | 10-34 |
| Turnovers | 17 | 13 |
| Top individual (pts/reb/ast) | Cadeau 17/8/7 | — |
| Mara (pts/reb/blk/ast) | 18/14/5/6 | — |
The table highlights the core contrasts: Wake Forest won the 3-point battle but Michigan trumped in interior production and key defensive plays. Turnovers and free-throw variance were decisive margins that nearly flipped the result. Over a small sample this season, Michigan’s profile looks like a team that can win by controlling the paint and defending, but that will struggle against long-range shooting unless perimeter efficiency improves.
Reactions & Quotes
(Paraphrase) Michigan’s coaching staff emphasized the value of close-game experience and credited interior defense for late stops that decided the game.
Maize n Brew (media paraphrase)
(Paraphrase) Analysts noted Elliot Cadeau’s all-around night—17 points, eight rebounds and seven assists—as a stabilizing factor for Michigan’s offense.
Team/analyst summaries (paraphrase)
Unconfirmed
- Whether Wake Forest will finish the season squarely on the NCAA bubble remains uncertain and will depend on conference results and quality wins.
- The root cause of Michigan’s early free-throw struggles—whether rust, practice emphasis, or in-game pressure—has not been publicly confirmed by the staff.
- It is not yet confirmed that turnovers are a systemic roster problem rather than an early-season fluke; more games are needed for a reliable trend signal.
Bottom Line
Michigan escaped with an 85-84 overtime victory that exposed both strengths and vulnerabilities. The Wolverines’ interior scoring and late defensive plays provided the margin of victory, while poor three-point shooting, missed free throws and turnovers kept the game perilously close.
Looking ahead to the road test at TCU and the rest of the non-conference slate, Michigan must shore up free-throw accuracy and ball security to avoid similar scares. If the team can stabilize those details while preserving interior dominance, Michigan’s ceiling remains high; if not, close games could become costly as the schedule and stakes intensify.
Sources
- Maize n Brew (media recap)
- KenPom (analytics ranking)
- Michigan Athletics (official team site)