Checking for the score of the Michigan Wolverines game today has become a bit of a daily ritual for anyone living in Ann Arbor or bleeding maize and blue across the country. It’s Friday, January 16, 2026, and if you’re looking for a football score, you’re about a week too late—or eight months too early. But the hardwood? That’s a completely different story.
Honestly, the energy around the Crisler Center right now is electric, and for good reason. The men's and women's teams are both tearing through the Big Ten, but since it's Friday, there isn't a major basketball game currently in progress.
Wait. Don’t close the tab yet.
If you're asking about the score of the Michigan Wolverines game today, you're likely looking for one of two things: the fallout from the massive wins that happened last night, or the specific results from the "Olympic" sports that actually are competing right now.
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The Score Everyone is Talking About: Men’s Basketball vs. Washington
If you missed the late-night West Coast tip-off on Wednesday going into Thursday, you missed a statement. The No. 4 ranked Michigan men’s team walked into Alaska Airlines Arena and basically dismantled Washington 82-72.
Aday Mara is officially a problem for the rest of the Big Ten.
The 7-foot-3 Spaniard went 10-of-11 from the field. That’s not a typo. He finished with 20 points and three blocks, looking every bit like the lottery pick scouts have been drooling over. Morez Johnson Jr. backed him up with a monster double-double, grabbing 16 boards.
The Wolverines are now 15-1. They look dominant.
The Women’s Score: No. 8 Michigan vs. No. 25 Illinois
Then there’s the women’s team. Last night, they took care of business at home. The score of the Michigan Wolverines game against Illinois ended 85-69.
Olivia Olson is just different. She dropped 21 points, with 15 of those coming in the first half alone. Illinois tried to make a run in the third—they actually cut it to five—but Michigan’s depth is just too much. When you have Syla Swords and Mila Holloway both hitting double digits, it's hard for any ranked team to stay in the building.
What is Actually Happening Today?
Since it is Friday, January 16, the main "big ticket" teams are traveling or resting for Saturday games. But the athletic department doesn't stop.
- Water Polo: The No. 15 Wolverines are out in Fresno, California today. They are kicking off their 2026 season at the "Polopalooza" tournament. They play the host, No. 7 Fresno State, at 6:30 p.m. PT.
- Wrestling: The No. 13 ranked wrestling squad is on the road. They are taking on No. 17 Rutgers in a dual meet tonight at 7:00 p.m.
- Ice Hockey: The No. 1 ranked hockey team (yeah, they’re still the best in the land) is in Minnesota tonight. They face the Gophers at 7:00 p.m. CT. If you want a score to watch, that's the one.
Why the Schedule is So Weird Right Now
College sports in 2026 is a mess of travel. With the expanded Big Ten, these West Coast trips for basketball are grueling. The men's team is currently sitting in a hotel in Eugene, Oregon, prepping for a Saturday showdown with the Ducks.
The football team is in a totally different phase. With Kyle Whittingham now at the helm, the "score" people care about isn't on a scoreboard—it's in the transfer portal. Just yesterday, All-Big Ten offensive tackle Andrew Sprague withdrew from the portal to stay in Ann Arbor. That’s a massive win that doesn't show up on ESPN’s bottom ticker.
Looking Ahead: The Next Major Scores
If you are strictly looking for the next basketball score of the Michigan Wolverines game, mark your calendars for Saturday:
- Men's Basketball: At Oregon. Saturday, Jan 17, at 4:00 p.m. EST on NBC.
- Women's Basketball: vs. Eastern Michigan (The Pink Game). Saturday, Jan 17, at 1:00 p.m. EST.
The Oregon game is going to be a test of fatigue. Moving from Seattle to Eugene isn't a long flight, but playing two high-tempo Big Ten games in four days on the road is where the "1" in Michigan's 15-1 record usually doubles.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the Hockey Score: If you need a live result tonight, the Michigan vs. Minnesota hockey game is available on Big Ten Plus or via the local radio broadcast.
- Monitor the Wrestling Dual: The Rutgers meet is a big one for Big Ten standings; expect results to start filtering in around 9:00 p.m. EST.
- Portal Watch: Keep an eye on Salesi Moa. Rumors are swirling that the top-50 prospect is leaning toward Michigan, which would be the biggest "score" of the week for the football program.
Keep your eyes on the Saturday afternoon window for the next major basketball updates. The Wolverines are currently projected as a 1-seed in most bracketology reports, and every road win in this new-look Big Ten only solidifies that.