Michigan Goes Undefeated on Road
Michigan defeated Iowa 71-68 to achieve an undefeated road record in Big Ten play — a feat not accomplished since Indiana's legendary 1975-76 season. The Wolverines are now 28-2 and clear favorites for the conference tournament, with coach Dusty May emerging as a national coach of the year candidate.
The victory in Iowa City was a nail-biter, with 14 lead changes and eight ties before Michigan sealed the 71-68 win. Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr. led the Wolverines with 16 points apiece, while Roddy Gayle Jr. made critical defensive plays in the final seconds, including a block and a steal, to secure the victory. Michigan's perfect 10-0 road record in the Big Ten is the first time a team has accomplished this feat. The last team to go undefeated in conference road play was the 1975-76 Indiana Hoosiers, a team coached by the legendary Bob Knight. That historic Indiana team, which went on to win the national championship, played an 18-game conference schedule. With their 18th conference win, the Wolverines have tied the Big Ten record for most conference victories in a single season. A win in their final regular-season game against Michigan State would give them the record outright with 19 wins. This season marks the first time in program history that Michigan has finished with an undefeated record in true road games. The win was Michigan's first game without key reserve L.J. Cason, who is out for the season with an ACL tear. Cason was a significant contributor off the bench, averaging 8.9 points per game in Big Ten play while shooting over 50% from the floor. Coach Dusty May, in his second year, has orchestrated a remarkable turnaround for the Wolverines. Before arriving in Ann Arbor, May led Florida Atlantic to a historic Final Four run in 2023 and is the program's all-time winningest coach. He was named CBS Sports National Coach of the Year for his efforts at FAU. As the outright Big Ten regular-season champions, Michigan has secured the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Big Ten Tournament. Their dominant season has positioned them as a strong contender for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament as well.
