Michigan snapped its East Lansing drought and handed Tom Izzo a 71st-birthday loss, beating No. 7 Michigan State 83-71 at Breslin Center on Feb. 1. The Wolverines led by 16 at halftime and survived a spirited second-half comeback to secure the road victory. Yaxel Lendeborg paced Michigan with 26 points and key late free throws, while Michigan State — 19-2 overall and 9-1 in Big Ten play entering the game — staged a run but ultimately fell short. The win gives Michigan two top-10 road victories in a week and a boost to its resume as the conference schedule tightens.
Key Takeaways
- Final result: No. 3 Michigan defeated No. 7 Michigan State, 83-71, at Breslin Center on Feb. 1.
- Lendeborg lead: Yaxel Lendeborg scored 26 points and was Michigan’s most impactful two-way player.
- First-half dominance: Michigan held MSU to 27% shooting in the first half and forced 11 turnovers before the break.
- Second-half surge: Michigan State erased a 16-point deficit early in the second half, tying the game at 55 with about eight minutes left.
- Clutch execution: Michigan closed the game with timely free throws and perimeter shooting, including a late Will Tschetter three-pointer.
- Freshman contributions: Trey McKenney finished with 10 points off the bench and provided calm scoring in a hostile environment.
- Conference context: MSU entered 19-2 overall and 9-1 in Big Ten play (only conference loss to No. 5 Nebraska); Michigan’s win strengthens its league standing.
Background
The Wolverines entered Breslin Center facing historical headwinds: they had not won in East Lansing since 2018, and prevailing on that floor has been a persistent challenge for visiting teams. Michigan State, coached by Tom Izzo, came into the matchup 19-2 overall and 9-1 in Big Ten play, with its only conference loss reported against No. 5 Nebraska. The Spartans were riding momentum from a close road win at Rutgers earlier in the week and were widely viewed as contenders for the conference crown.
Michigan’s season has featured a blend of balanced scoring and defensive identity, but the Wolverines have leaned on standouts in big moments. Questions about road consistency and depth had lingered; this game represented a test of both. Pre-game narratives also noted past attempts by other coaches to topple MSU in East Lansing—one preview referenced Dusty May not beating Michigan State in his first two tries last season—underscoring how difficult wins in Breslin can be.
Main Event
Michigan jumped out early by attacking the rim and converting high-percentage looks. Aday Mara and Elliot Cadeau created easy buckets inside while Yaxel Lendeborg and Cadeau knocked down threes to open a 15-5 advantage as MSU began 2-for-10 from the floor. By halftime the Wolverines had built a 16-point cushion behind the game’s more disruptive defense.
The Spartans mounted a response in the second half, cutting the deficit with an early surge and a 9-0 run that swung momentum. Jaxon Kohler’s three tied the score at 55 with roughly eight minutes remaining after Michigan had relaxed its intensity. Jeremy Fears provided a consistent scoring threat for MSU during the rally, hitting several rhythm shots to keep the Spartans within striking distance.
Late in the game Michigan regained control through a mix of free throws and timely offense. Lendeborg’s late foul-line makes, a Morez Johnson Jr. bucket, and a crucial Will Tschetter three pushed Michigan back ahead. A Johnson poster dunk and another Lendeborg layup created a six-point cushion with two minutes to play, and Michigan’s defense closed out the possession game to secure the 83-71 result.
Analysis & Implications
This victory highlights Michigan’s ability to win hostile, high-leverage road games — a quality often associated with championship-caliber squads. Taking two top-10 wins in one week gives the Wolverines a stronger non-conference and quadrant resume, which will matter for NCAA seeding and selection discussions. The team’s defensive identity, especially the first-half display, shows it can control tempo against elite opponents.
Yaxel Lendeborg’s performance underlines the value of a go-to playmaker who can influence both ends. His 26 points, activity on the offensive glass and late free-throw conversions demonstrate a player capable of carrying the load in tight games. If he continues playing at this level, Michigan’s ceiling rises considerably.
The second-half lapse — allowing MSU to erase a 16-point deficit — exposes potential vulnerabilities in focus and rotation depth. Michigan’s bench production, while helpful, will need more consistent contributions late in games to avoid extended opponent runs. Opponents that can sustain hot shooting or force turnovers in spurts may still challenge this team.
From a Big Ten perspective, the result tightens the conference race by showing Michigan can beat top-tier league opponents on the road. For MSU, the loss is a setback but not an eliminator; the Spartans remain 19-2 with an excellent conference record. Both teams will be judged over the next stretch of games for how they respond.
| Metric | Michigan | Michigan State |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 83 | 71 |
| Top scorer | Yaxel Lendeborg (26) | Jeremy Fears (team-leading scorer) |
| MSU 1H FG% | — | 27% |
| MSU 1H turnovers | — | 11 |
| MSU record entering game | — | 19-2 (9-1 Big Ten) |
The table isolates the clearest available numerical edges from the game: the final score, Lendeborg’s point total and MSU’s poor first-half shooting and turnovers. Those first-half numbers explain Michigan’s double-digit lead at the break; in the second half, MSU’s improved efficiency narrowed the gap before Michigan’s late execution closed the game.
Reactions & Quotes
Postgame reactions mixed praise for Michigan’s defense with recognition of MSU’s resilience. Coaches and analysts noted the significance of securing a difficult road victory late in the conference schedule.
“They made plays when it mattered and found a way to finish the game.”
Postgame analysis (paraphrased)
This paraphrase summarizes the common emphasis from media and commentators who highlighted Michigan’s late-game composure. Analysts credited both Lendeborg’s scoring and the Wolverines’ defensive stops down the stretch.
“We fought back and gave ourselves a chance, but some late miscues cost us.”
Postgame reaction (paraphrased)
The sentiment above reflects Michigan State’s perspective: a strong comeback that fell short because of critical offensive sequences and costly turnovers. Fans on social platforms noted both the competitiveness and the tense atmosphere at Breslin Center.
Unconfirmed
- Attributions about comments from individual coaches or players are paraphrased and not direct quotes due to lack of verbatim transcripts in the primary report.
- Specific second-half shooting percentages for Michigan were not provided in the original source and are not included here.
Bottom Line
Michigan’s 83-71 road win at No. 7 Michigan State is a statement victory that addresses questions about the Wolverines’ ability to win in hostile environments. A dominant first half, led by Yaxel Lendeborg’s 26 points, supplied the margin of safety Michigan needed when MSU rallied in the second half.
The game revealed both strengths — elite half-court defense and late-game execution — and areas for improvement, namely sustaining intensity across 40 minutes and deeper, steadier bench contributions. Looking ahead, Michigan returns to Ann Arbor to host Penn State on Thursday, Feb. 5 (6:30 p.m. on FS1) before traveling to face Ohio State on Feb. 8 (1 p.m. on CBS), stretches that will further define the Wolverines’ standing in the Big Ten and nationally.
Sources
- Maize ‘n Brew — game recap and analysis (sports blog/coverage)