Michigan Dominates Penn State With Record Shooting Night

It was a night of high expectations and even higher stakes at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor as the No. 2 Michigan Wolverines hosted the Penn State Nittany Lions in a Big Ten showdown on Thursday, February 5, 2026. With Michigan riding a six-game winning streak and boasting a 20-1 record, the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation. The Wolverines, coming off a statement win over Michigan State, were heavily favored by 25.5 points, but the Nittany Lions arrived with a renewed spirit after notching their first conference victory of the season just days earlier.

Tip-off on Fox Sports 1 marked the beginning of what many expected would be a lopsided affair. Penn State, sitting at 10-12 overall and 1-10 in the conference before the game, faced an uphill battle, especially with their starting center Ivan Juric ruled out. The absence of Juric, who had previously scored 20 against Michigan, left the Nittany Lions severely undersized against one of the most physically imposing teams in college basketball. As the game unfolded, that size disparity became impossible to ignore.

The Wolverines wasted no time asserting their dominance. Nimari Burnett, who had never made more than four three-pointers in a game this season, caught fire from deep, draining a season-high seven triples en route to a game-high 31 points and five rebounds. His shooting display electrified the home crowd and set the tone for the night. Not to be outdone, Morez Johnson Jr. contributed 12 points and eight rebounds, while Michigan as a team knocked down 15 threes—marking their second-best shooting performance from beyond the arc this season.

Penn State, meanwhile, struggled mightily to find any offensive rhythm. The Nittany Lions missed their first 13 three-point attempts and managed to make only two for the entire game, marking their worst perimeter shooting performance of the year. Freddie Dilione V, usually a reliable source of offense, hit the team’s only other three and finished with a team-high 19 points and seven rebounds. Josh Reed chipped in with 15 points and four rebounds, but the lack of support from the perimeter and the absence of Juric in the paint left Penn State scrambling for answers.

It wasn’t just Michigan’s offense humming. The Wolverines’ defense lived up to its billing as the best in the country, stifling Penn State’s pick-and-roll action and contesting every shot near the rim. Michigan’s ability to create baskets around the hoop (67% shooting on the season) was on full display, with Yaxel Lendeborg—fresh off a monster 26-point, 12-rebound outing against Michigan State—providing a steady presence inside. Though Lendeborg didn’t have to carry the scoring load this time, his influence was felt on both ends, as was that of Aday Mara, who battled foul trouble but still anchored the paint with his size and shot-blocking.

The first half saw Michigan build a commanding lead, capitalizing on Penn State’s cold shooting and turnovers. By halftime, the Wolverines were firmly in control, and the rout only intensified after the break. At one point, Michigan led 73-32 with over 15 minutes left, leaving little doubt about the game’s outcome. The Wolverines’ balanced attack—featuring contributions from Elliot Cadeau, Trey McKenney, and others—kept the pressure on, while Penn State’s offense sputtered despite efforts from Dilione and Reed.

For Penn State, the game underscored season-long struggles. Since December 9, the Nittany Lions have ranked last nationally in defensive efficiency field goal percentage (61.9%), 2-point defense (62%), and near the bottom in 3-point defense (41.1%). Offensively, freshman Kayden Mingo, who averages 14.1 points and leads the Big Ten with 2.1 steals per game, tried to spark the attack but was largely held in check by Michigan’s relentless defense. The Nittany Lions’ inability to generate consistent offense or protect the rim proved costly against a Michigan squad firing on all cylinders.

The final buzzer sounded with Michigan claiming a resounding 110-69 victory, improving to 21-1 overall and 11-1 in Big Ten play. The win not only extended the Wolverines’ winning streak to seven but also reinforced their status as a national title contender. For Penn State, now 10-13 and 1-11 in the conference, the defeat was a harsh reminder of the gulf between the Big Ten’s elite and its rebuilding programs.

After the game, Michigan head coach Dusty May praised his team’s focus and execution, particularly on the defensive end. "We wanted to set the tone early, and I think our guys did just that. The energy on both ends was outstanding," he noted. On the other side, Penn State coach Mike Rhoades acknowledged the challenge of playing Michigan on the road without his starting center. "We were undersized and outmatched tonight, but I’m proud of our guys for continuing to fight," Rhoades said.

The Wolverines’ victory was built on more than just hot shooting. They controlled the glass, forced turnovers, and limited their own mistakes—an area they’ve struggled with at times this season. Michigan came into the contest leading the Big Ten in blocks and ranking third in steals, and that defensive intensity translated into easy transition points and a lopsided scoreline. The 41-point margin of victory was one of the largest in recent conference memory and sent a clear message to the rest of the Big Ten: Michigan is peaking at the right time.

Looking ahead, Penn State will return home to face USC on February 8, searching for answers and hoping to regroup. Michigan, meanwhile, continues its march toward a potential Big Ten title and a top seed in the NCAA Tournament, with its next challenge looming on the horizon.

As the crowd filed out of the Crisler Center, the Wolverines had delivered a performance worthy of their lofty ranking. For Penn State, it was a night to forget—but for Michigan, it was another step closer to their championship aspirations.