No. 2 Michigan defeated UCLA 86-56 on Saturday, a victory that positions the Wolverines to potentially reach the No. 1 ranking in the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2013.
Michigan’s Dominance
Yaxel Lendeborg led Michigan with 17 points and eight rebounds. The Wolverines’ win came after No. 1 Arizona lost to No. 9 Kansas on Monday night, opening a path for Michigan to the top spot. Michigan has now won 10 consecutive games and holds a record of 24-1 overall and 14-1 in the Big Ten.
The game shifted decisively in Michigan’s favor early in the second half when they made nine consecutive shots, including two 3-pointers from Lendeborg. UCLA had previously won five of their last six games, but struggled to keep pace with Michigan’s offensive momentum.
A Rapid Turnaround for Michigan
Coach Dusty May has quickly rebuilt the Michigan program, achieving a 24-1 record after the team suffered a school-record 24 losses in Juwan Howard’s final season. May utilized the transfer portal to assemble a deep and talented roster.
Morez Johnson contributed 15 points, LJ Cason scored 13 and Nimari Burnett added 12 for Michigan. Aday Mara also made a significant impact with nine points, eight rebounds, and three blocks against his former team.
For UCLA, Trent Perry scored 11 of his 14 points in the first half, and Tyler Bilodeau added 10 points during the opening 20 minutes, when the Bruins trailed by only two points.
Looking Ahead
UCLA will next play at No. 10 Michigan State on Tuesday. Michigan is scheduled to face No. 13 Purdue on Tuesday.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the Michigan-UCLA game?
The final score was Michigan 86, UCLA 56.
What is Michigan’s current record?
Michigan’s current record is 24-1 overall and 14-1 in the Big Ten.
When was the last time Michigan was ranked No. 1?
Michigan was last ranked No. 1 on January 28, 2013.
What factors will determine if Michigan reaches the No. 1 ranking?
