Michigan fans can breathe a little easier this morning. If you were looking for who won the Michigan basketball game last night, the answer is a resounding one: the No. 4 Wolverines took care of business, taking down Oregon 81-71 in a gritty battle at Matthew Knight Arena.
It wasn't always pretty. In fact, for a good chunk of the first half, it looked like the West Coast trip might end on a sour note.
The Ducks came out swinging. They even managed to take a one-point lead into the locker room at halftime thanks to a buzzer-beating three-pointer that had the Eugene crowd going absolutely nuts. But Dusty May’s squad is ranked fourth in the country for a reason. They don't panic. They just adjust.
Michigan’s Second Half Surge in Eugene
Everything changed after the break. Honestly, the difference between the first and second halves was night and day. After shooting a somewhat lackluster sub-40% in the opening twenty minutes, Michigan absolutely caught fire. They shot a blistering 60 percent from the field in the second half.
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Basically, the Wolverines decided to stop settling and started attacking.
Nimari Burnett and Elliot Cadeau sparked a 10-2 run right out of the gate. Burnett was everywhere. He finished with 15 points, but it was his energy that really shifted the momentum. He hit a massive three to answer Oregon’s opening bucket, then immediately turned into a playmaker, feeding Aday Mara for a dunk that silenced the arena.
It’s these kinds of runs that define elite teams. You're on the road, the crowd is against you, and you're trailing at the half. Most teams crumble. Michigan just got faster.
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The Stars of the Show
- Elliot Cadeau: After being held scoreless in the previous game against Washington, Cadeau bounced back in a big way. He led the team with 17 points and dished out five assists. His reverse finish in the second half was basically a "we're taking over now" statement.
- Nimari Burnett: He hit the 1,000-career point milestone earlier this week and didn't slow down here. 15 points, three triples, and some lockdown defense when it mattered most.
- Aday Mara: The big man had a quiet first half but came alive when it counted. He finished with 12 points and three blocks. When he and Burnett started playing off each other, Oregon simply had no answer for the size and length inside.
Why This Win Matters for the Big Ten Standings
With this victory, Michigan moves to 16-1 overall and 6-1 in the Big Ten. That’s huge. The conference is a gauntlet this year, and winning on the road is never guaranteed, especially when you're traveling across time zones.
Oregon (8-10, 1-6) isn't having the best season, but Dana Altman is a wizard with matchups. His zone defense gave Michigan fits early on, forcing nine turnovers in the first half. The fact that the Wolverines cut those mistakes down to just five in the second half shows a level of maturity we haven't always seen from Michigan teams in the past.
They’re finding ways to win when the three-ball isn't falling early. They're finding ways to win when their stars get into foul trouble—Morez Johnson Jr. had to sit for a while with three fouls in the first half, yet the bench held the line.
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What’s Next for the Wolverines?
The West Coast sweep is complete. After taking down Washington and now Oregon, Michigan heads back home to Ann Arbor with a lot of momentum. They’ve proven they can handle the travel and the hostile environments.
If you're following the title race, keep an eye on the turnover margins. When Michigan keeps that number low, they look nearly unbeatable. They have five players averaging double figures, which makes them a nightmare to scout. You can't just shut down one guy and hope for the best.
Actionable Next Steps for Michigan Fans:
- Check the Rankings: Expect Michigan to potentially move up or at least solidify that No. 4 spot when the new AP Poll drops on Monday.
- Watch the Highlights: If you missed the second-half run, find the clip of the Burnett-to-Mara dunk sequence. It was the turning point of the game.
- Mark Your Calendar: The Wolverines are back in action soon. Check your local listings for the next Big Ten showdown as they return to the Crisler Center.
- Monitor Injury Reports: Keep an eye on the rotation depth. The minutes played by the starters on this road trip were high, so seeing how May manages the bench in the next home game will be key.