So, did Michigan play today? If you’re looking at the calendar for Thursday, January 15, 2026, the answer is a bit of a "yes and no" depending on which team you follow.
The men’s basketball team just finished a late-night battle out West. They technically played yesterday, Wednesday, Jan. 14, but for those of us on the East Coast, that game didn’t wrap up until the early hours of this morning. It was a massive bounce-back win against Washington in Seattle, ending 82-72.
If you are checking for a game tonight, the spotlight shifts back to Ann Arbor. The No. 8 ranked Michigan women’s basketball team is set to host No. 25 Illinois at 7:00 PM at the Crisler Center. It’s "Sneakerhead Night," so the energy should be pretty wild.
The Late Night Rescue in Seattle
Honestly, Michigan fans were a little nervous heading into the Washington game. Coming off that frustrating 91-88 loss to Wisconsin last Saturday—their first L of the season—people were starting to wonder if the wheels were wobbling.
They weren't.
Aday Mara was absolutely ridiculous. The 7-foot-3 junior center played like a man among boys, putting up a season-high 20 points while shooting 10-of-11 from the floor. He basically didn't miss. When he wasn't dunking, Morez Johnson Jr. was cleaning up everything else. Johnson finished with a career-high 16 rebounds and 16 points. That’s a "grown man" double-double.
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The Huskies tried to make it a game, cutting the lead to six in the second half, but Michigan’s size was just too much. They outscored Washington 50-28 in the paint. You just can’t win when you’re giving up that much real estate under the rim.
What’s Happening Right Now?
If you’re wondering did Michigan play today because you heard news about the football team, you’re likely hearing about the transfer portal chaos. Even though it’s January and the pads are off, the "game" never really stops in Ann Arbor.
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Just yesterday and today, news broke that Michigan officially signed another specialist, long snapper Gavin Magorien from Marshall. It sounds boring until you remember how much special teams mattered in the Big Ten last year. They also landed LSU transfer quarterback Colin Hurley earlier this week. Coach Kyle Whittingham is clearly moving fast to rebuild the roster after some heavy departures to the NFL and the portal.
The Schedule Ahead
You've got a lot of Michigan sports to keep track of this week. Here is the immediate breakdown of what's coming up next:
- Tonight (Jan 15): Women’s Basketball vs. Illinois. This is a Top-25 matchup. If you're in Ann Arbor, the doors at Crisler open early for the sneaker exhibition.
- Friday (Jan 16): The No. 1 ranked Ice Hockey team travels to Minneapolis to face Minnesota. That’s always a bloodbath. Also, Wrestling hits the road to face Rutgers.
- Saturday (Jan 17): Men’s Basketball continues their West Coast swing at Oregon. Tip-off is at 4:00 PM EST on NBC.
Why the Washington Win Matters
The victory in Seattle moved the men's team to 15-1 overall and 5-1 in the Big Ten. After the Wisconsin loss, there was a lot of talk about whether Dusty May’s offensive system relied too much on the three-ball. Against Washington, Michigan shot a miserable 21.7% from deep (5-for-23).
Usually, that’s a recipe for an upset.
Instead, they pivoted. They used Mara and Johnson to bully Washington inside. Seeing a team find a "Plan B" on the road in a hostile environment is usually the sign of a group that can make a deep run in March. They proved they don't have to hit fifteen 3-pointers to beat a decent Power Four team.
Actionable Steps for Fans
- Check the Women's Score: If you missed the tip-off for the Illinois game tonight, check the live stats on MGoBlue or the Big Ten Network app; it’s a crucial game for conference standings.
- Set Your DVR for Saturday: The Men's game at Oregon (Jan 17) is an afternoon slot on NBC. Don't get caught looking for it on cable; it's a broadcast game.
- Watch the Portal: Keep an eye on secondary targets. With Salesi Moa (the top-50 prospect from Utah) recently entering the portal, rumors are flying that he might follow the staff to Michigan.
The Wolverines are officially back in the win column, and the schedule isn't getting any easier. Whether it's on the court or in the recruiting offices, things are moving fast in Ann Arbor this January.