Honestly, if you turned off the TV at halftime during the game in Eugene yesterday, I wouldn't even blame you. Michigan looked a little shaky. The Michigan basketball game score at the break was 41-40 in favor of Oregon, and things felt weirdly tense. It was just the third time all season the Wolverines trailed after twenty minutes. But man, the second half was a completely different story.
Dusty May’s squad basically flipped a switch. They came out and shot a blistering 60% from the field in the second period, eventually pulling away for an 81-71 victory. It wasn't just about the shooting, though. It was the grit. Oregon is a tough place to play, even if the Ducks have been struggling lately. This win moved Michigan to 16-1 overall and 6-1 in the Big Ten.
Breaking Down the 81-71 Victory
Elliot Cadeau was the engine. He finished with 17 points and five assists, looking every bit like the floor general Michigan needs to make a deep March run. He’s been leading the team in scoring a lot lately—this was his third time this season—and his ability to get into the paint and create is just fun to watch.
Nimari Burnett was also massive. He put up 15 points and filled the stat sheet with three rebounds, three assists, and two steals. There was a specific sequence in the second half where Burnett and Aday Mara swapped dunks on consecutive possessions, both assisting each other. It was high-level basketball.
Mara, the 7-foot-3 center, finished with 12 points and three blocks. He’s becoming a real problem for teams that don’t have elite size. Oregon tried to double him, but his passing is too good for that.
Why the Michigan Basketball Game Score Tells Only Half the Story
The final ten-point margin makes it look like a comfortable win, but it really wasn't. Oregon’s Sean Stewart played the game of his life, dropping a career-high 22 points. He kept the Ducks alive almost single-handedly during some dry spells.
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Michigan also dealt with some serious foul trouble. Morez Johnson Jr. only played 17 minutes because the whistles just wouldn't stop. He still managed nine points, but having your star big man on the bench for half the game usually spells disaster.
- Shooting: Michigan hit nearly half their shots (49%) for the game.
- Rebounding: They won the battle on the boards 36-30.
- The Bench: Even with foul trouble, guys like Will Tschetter and L.J. Cason stepped up when it mattered.
The most impressive part? This completed a West Coast sweep. Michigan has now played six games against West Coast opponents since the Big Ten expanded, and they are 6-0 in those games. They’re averaging over 85 points in those matchups. They clearly don't mind the travel.
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Looking Ahead to Indiana
The Wolverines don't have long to celebrate. They’ve got a massive home game against Indiana coming up on January 20th. Crisler Center is going to be rocking. Indiana is always a physical matchup, and they'll be looking to exploit any fatigue Michigan might have from the road trip.
If you're tracking the Michigan basketball game score for the rest of the month, the schedule is brutal. After Indiana, they've got Ohio State, a top-10 Nebraska team, and then the big one—Michigan State in East Lansing on January 30th.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following this team, keep an eye on the turnover margin. When Michigan keeps it under 10, they are nearly unbeatable. Also, watch Aday Mara’s minutes. If he can stay on the floor without fouling, he changes the entire geometry of the defense.
- Check the local broadcast listings for the Indiana game; it's a 7:00 PM ET tip-off.
- Monitor the injury report for any lingering issues from the physical Oregon game.
- Keep an eye on the Big Ten standings, as Nebraska is currently the only team standing in the way of Michigan's solo lead.
The 81-71 win over Oregon proves this team can win ugly and they can win when they aren't at their best. That's the mark of a championship contender.