Michigan Sweeps MSU for Big Ten Title
Michigan swept Michigan State 90-80 to cap their 15th straight Big Ten win and claim the conference's No. 1 tournament seed. This marks Michigan's 16th regular-season Big Ten title and sets up a dominant position heading into March Madness. The Wolverines now await their quarterfinals opponent as the top seed.
The 90-80 victory for No. 3 Michigan was keyed by an 11-0 run in the second half that gave them the lead for good. The win capped off a regular season where the Wolverines (29-2, 19-1 Big Ten) set a program record for regular-season wins and a Big Ten record for conference wins. Michigan also became the first Big Ten team to finish with a perfect 10-0 conference road record since the 1975-76 Indiana Hoosiers. This year's dominance is a significant achievement for second-year head coach Dusty May, who has orchestrated a major turnaround. The team is built on a mix of returning players and impactful transfers, including standouts like Yaxel Lendeborg, who arrived from UAB, and former North Carolina point guard Elliot Cadeau. The Wolverines entered the season ranked No. 3 and have been a fixture in the top of the polls all year. The victory over No. 8 Michigan State extended Michigan's current winning streak in the historic rivalry to three games, though Michigan State still holds the series lead since joining the Big Ten in 1950. This season's earlier matchup saw Michigan defeat the Spartans 83-71 at the Breslin Center. As the top seed in the Big Ten Tournament in Chicago, Michigan has earned a triple-bye and will not play until the quarterfinal round on Friday, March 13. They will await the winner of the game between the No. 8 and No. 9 seeds. The Wolverines are the betting favorites to win the tournament. Looking ahead to the NCAA Tournament, many bracketologists project Michigan as a No. 1 seed, with some even predicting them to be the top overall seed. Their strong performance throughout the season has positioned them as a national championship contender.
