CHICAGO – The University of Michigan men’s basketball team advanced to the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament with a hard-fought 71-67 victory over Ohio State on Friday, setting the stage for a highly anticipated rematch against the No. 23 Wisconsin Badgers on Saturday. The third-ranked Wolverines (30-2), fresh off their first triple-bye in the tournament, will look to continue their dominant season and secure a spot in the championship game.
This semifinal matchup carries extra weight, as it’s a repeat of the 2025 Big Ten Tournament title game, where Michigan rallied for a 59-53 win over Wisconsin in Indianapolis. The Wolverines, who clinched the Big Ten regular season championship with a 19-1 conference record, are aiming for their fifth overall Big Ten Tournament title and a second consecutive crown. Their path to the championship, however, will require overcoming a Wisconsin team that handed them their only regular-season loss this year.
Aday Mara led Michigan in Friday’s quarterfinal win with 17 points and seven rebounds, while Elliot Cadeau added 15 points and seven assists. The Wolverines’ ability to control the tempo and capitalize on scoring opportunities proved crucial against a resilient Ohio State squad. Now, they face a Wisconsin team known for its strong three-point shooting and balanced attack.
Wolverines Seek Revenge After January Upset
Michigan’s only blemish on an otherwise perfect Big Ten record came on January 10th, when they fell to Wisconsin 91-88 at Crisler Center. In that contest, the Badgers connected on a remarkable 15 three-pointers, a performance that marked the first time an opponent had hit 15 or more against Michigan in over nine years, dating back to a December 10, 2016 game against UCLA. The Badgers’ sharpshooting duo of Nick Boyd and John Blackwell combined for 48 points and nine assists in that January victory, a performance Michigan will need to contain on Saturday.
Dominant Season Continues for Michigan
With a 30-2 record, Michigan is enjoying one of the most successful seasons in program history. They have secured 24 wins by a margin of 10 points or more, including seven victories by 40 or more points – a Big Ten record. Head coach Dusty May has instilled a winning culture, and the team’s ability to close out games has been particularly impressive, boasting a 6-1 record this season in contests decided by four points or fewer. Last season, May led the Wolverines to a Big Ten Tournament championship as a No. 3 seed.
Beyond team success, individual players are also shining. Aday Mara has been particularly effective recently, shooting 31-for-41 (75.6 percent) from the field and a perfect 12-for-12 from the free-throw line over his last six games. Elliot Cadeau continues to lead the offense with 178 assists (5.6 per game) and is 62 points away from reaching 1,000 career points. Trey McKenney leads the team with 54 made three-pointers.
Key Matchup and What to Expect
Saturday’s game will be a test of Michigan’s defensive resolve against Wisconsin’s potent offense. Containing Boyd and Blackwell will be paramount, as will limiting the Badgers’ three-point opportunities. Michigan will also need a strong performance from Yaxel Lendeborg, the Big Ten Player of the Year, who was held to six points in the quarterfinal win over Ohio State.
Tipoff is scheduled for noon CT on CBS, with Ian Eagle, Grant Hill, Bill Raftery, and Tracy Wolfson calling the action. Michigan has won four Big Ten Tournament titles (1998, 2017, 2018, 2025) and will be making its 12th semifinal appearance. The Wolverines carry a 4-2 record in championship games.
The winner of Saturday’s semifinal will advance to the Big Ten Tournament Championship Game on Sunday. Michigan’s pursuit of a second consecutive tournament title and a potential No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament continues, but a tough test awaits against a Wisconsin team eager for revenge.
What do you feel? Can Michigan overcome the Badgers and advance to the championship game? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
