SEATTLE — The Michigan Wolverines men’s basketball team arrived in the Pacific Northwest with something to prove, and by the time the final buzzer sounded in Seattle on January 14, 2026, they’d left little doubt about their determination. Fresh off their first loss of the season, Michigan (now 15-1 overall, 5-1 Big Ten) bounced back in style, grinding out an 82-72 victory over the Washington Huskies (10-7, 2-4) in a game that was, at times, as gritty as it was decisive.
The Huskies, playing before their first sellout crowd in two seasons and honoring their national-champion men’s soccer team, brought plenty of energy to Alaska Airlines Arena. But it was the No. 4-ranked Wolverines (listed as No. 3 in some polls) who ultimately imposed their will. The opening minutes saw both teams struggle to find their rhythm, with a combined 0-for-17 drought from beyond the arc. Washington’s Hannes Steinbach opened the scoring with an and-1, but the Huskies then went ice-cold, failing to score for nearly seven minutes while Michigan pieced together a 12-0 run.
Junior center Aday Mara and sophomore forward Morez Johnson Jr. were at the heart of Michigan’s early surge. Mara, who would finish with a season-high 20 points on a remarkable 10-of-11 shooting, showed off his finesse in the paint, while Johnson—dubbed the “Junkyard Dog” by his teammates—brought his trademark energy to the boards. Johnson racked up 10 rebounds in the first 15 minutes alone, setting the tone for what would become a career-best 16-rebound, 16-point double-double. His highlight came late in the first half: “Johnson lurked in the lane before going up for an emphatic put-back slam. That rebound and subsequent dunk already gave Johnson his 10th rebound of the game,” according to UMHoops.
Despite Michigan’s early advantage, Washington refused to fold. The Huskies clawed back with a flurry of mid-range jumpers and improved three-point shooting in the second half, trimming the deficit to as little as six. JJ Mandaquit led the Huskies with 15 points, with Quimari Peterson and Zoom Diallo chipping in 13 and 12, respectively. Steinbach contributed a double-double of his own, notching 11 points and 14 rebounds, while Jacob Ognacevic added 10 points. Yet, every time Washington threatened, Michigan found an answer—often in the form of a timely basket from Mara or a key defensive play from Johnson.
The Wolverines’ dominance in the paint proved decisive. They outscored Washington 50-28 down low and won the rebounding battle 42-40. Michigan’s big men were relentless, and Yaxel Lendeborg, after a slow start, added 14 points and seven boards, including a crucial three-pointer and a highlight-reel assist to Mara for a slam dunk. As the game wore on, Michigan’s depth and physicality began to wear down the Huskies. Foul trouble plagued Washington, with both Steinbach and center Franck Kepnang picking up four fouls each in the second half, limiting their impact during crucial stretches.
“The combination of Mara and Johnson has been relatively quiet as of late, with one or the other playing well but not both. Wednesday night, Johnson displayed his strength down low while Mara displayed his finesse to create the complementary play that made the duo successful earlier in the season,” noted UMHoops. That tandem was indeed the difference-maker, with Mara’s scoring and Johnson’s rebounding fueling Michigan’s surge.
Michigan’s defense, ranked atop the country in KenPom efficiency ratings, was another key storyline. The Wolverines forced 12 turnovers while committing only eight of their own, translating into an 11-2 advantage in points off turnovers. They also limited the Huskies to just 30 first-half points and 28 points in the paint for the game. Mara was a force at both ends, blocking three shots and anchoring the interior defense. Even though Michigan’s offense wasn’t always pretty—shooting just 5-for-23 (21.7%) from three-point range and 14-for-19 on dunks or layups—they did enough of the little things to keep Washington at bay.
As the second half wore on, the tension in the arena grew. Washington kept chipping away, closing to within 69-63 with under seven minutes left after a pair of free throws from Diallo. But then Roddy Gayle Jr., who had been relatively quiet, sparked a decisive 7-0 run with five straight points and a coast-to-coast layup. Lendeborg followed with an acrobatic finish, and just like that, Michigan’s lead ballooned to 76-63.
The sequence that finally put the game out of reach came with just under four minutes to play. Mara rolled off a screen and hammered home a dunk for his 20th point, setting a new season high. On the very next possession, he found Johnson over his head for a layup—two plays that encapsulated the Wolverines’ dominance down low and their ability to close out tight contests. “This sequence of two plays was flashy and emblematic of the clinic Michigan put on down low throughout the entire game, and was the moment the Wolverines finally pulled away,” wrote UMHoops.
While the Huskies continued to fight—Ognacevic hit a three to keep things interesting—Michigan’s composure never wavered. The Wolverines closed out the final minutes with efficient play on both ends, ultimately securing a hard-fought 82-72 win.
For Michigan, the victory was about more than just bouncing back from a rare defeat. It was a showcase of the team’s resilience, depth, and commitment to defense—qualities that have defined their season so far. Head coach Dusty May has consistently praised Johnson’s intensity and energy, and on this night, his squad delivered with arguably their most energetic performance yet. “Johnson responded to May’s recent team-wide critiques of the energy level with perhaps the Wolverines’ most energetic performance this season,” reported the Detroit Free Press.
The Wolverines now turn their attention to the next challenge on their Pacific Northwest swing: a Saturday showdown with the Oregon Ducks in Eugene. The Ducks, coming off a second-round NCAA Tournament appearance last season, will be looking to test Michigan’s mettle. But if the Wolverines can replicate the energy and execution they displayed in Seattle, they’ll be a tough out for anyone in the Big Ten—and beyond.
As for Washington, the Huskies showed flashes of promise and grit, but ultimately couldn’t overcome Michigan’s size and defensive prowess. With conference play heating up, both teams will look to build on the lessons learned from this high-intensity matchup.
In a game that featured big runs, bruising defense, and plenty of drama, it was Michigan’s frontcourt duo of Mara and Johnson who stole the show—reminding the college basketball world that the Wolverines remain a force to be reckoned with as the season rolls on.
