Michigan Dominates Penn State With Record Shooting Night

The No. 2 Michigan Wolverines delivered a resounding performance on Thursday night, overpowering the Penn State Nittany Lions 110-69 at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor. Coming off a six-game winning streak and a hard-fought victory over Michigan State, the Wolverines looked every bit a national title contender, while Penn State, depleted and undersized, struggled to keep pace from the opening tip.

Michigan entered the contest with a 20-1 record, riding high after an 83-71 road win against then-No. 7 Michigan State just days earlier. Yaxel Lendeborg had starred in that game, posting 26 points and 12 rebounds, with Elliot Cadeau contributing 17 points and six assists. The Wolverines’ balanced attack and suffocating defense have been their calling cards all season, and both were on full display against Penn State.

Tip-off was set for 6:30 PM ET on Fox Sports 1, drawing attention from basketball fans across the Big Ten and beyond. The Nittany Lions, meanwhile, came in with a 10-12 record (1-10 in Big Ten play), fresh off their first conference win of the season—a narrow 77-75 triumph over Minnesota, courtesy of a last-second layup by freshman Kayden Mingo. That victory snapped a month-long losing streak and offered a glimmer of hope, but facing the Wolverines on their home court was always going to be a monumental challenge.

Michigan was heavily favored, with sportsbooks setting the spread at 25.5 points and a moneyline of -10000, reflecting the perceived gap between the two programs. Those numbers proved prophetic as the Wolverines raced out to an early lead and never looked back. By halftime, the game’s tone was set: Michigan’s size, athleticism, and shooting were simply overwhelming.

One of the major storylines was the absence of Penn State’s starting center, Ivan Juric, who had scored 20 points in the teams’ first meeting earlier in the season. Without Juric, the Nittany Lions were forced to go small against one of the biggest frontcourts in college basketball. The mismatch was evident from the start, as the Wolverines attacked the rim at will and dominated the boards.

Freddie Dilione V tried to keep Penn State afloat, finishing with a team-high 19 points and 7 rebounds. Josh Reed contributed 15 points and 4 rebounds, but the Nittany Lions’ offense sputtered, particularly from beyond the arc. In what became their worst perimeter shooting game of the season, Penn State managed just two three-pointers—one each by Reed and Dilione—missing their first 13 attempts and finishing well below their season average.

On the other side, Michigan’s Nimari Burnett put on a shooting clinic, knocking down a season-high seven three-pointers en route to a game-high 31 points and five rebounds. Burnett’s hot hand helped the Wolverines connect on 15 three-pointers overall, marking their second-best shooting performance from deep this season. Morez Johnson Jr. chipped in with 12 points and 8 rebounds, while Aday Mara anchored the paint despite early foul trouble.

“Our offense was clicking, and defensively, we made it tough for them to get into a rhythm,” said Michigan head coach Dusty May, reflecting on his team’s dominant outing. The Wolverines’ defense, ranked best in the country, lived up to its billing by contesting every shot and forcing Penn State into a series of tough looks. The Nittany Lions’ lack of size also allowed Michigan to exploit mismatches inside, with Lendeborg and Johnson Jr. finishing efficiently around the rim.

Penn State’s struggles were compounded by foul trouble and a slow start. Dominick Stewart picked up two quick fouls in the opening minutes, and the team’s early offensive possessions were marked by missed jumpers and an airballed three-pointer from Dilione. Freshman center Justin Houser was the first off the bench, but the Nittany Lions’ lack of interior presence was apparent as Michigan repeatedly attacked the basket.

By the midpoint of the second half, the Wolverines had built a commanding 73-32 lead, and the outcome was all but decided. Michigan’s reserves saw extended minutes, but the offensive onslaught continued, with the team ultimately reaching the 110-point mark—one of their highest outputs of the season. The win improved Michigan’s record to 21-1 overall and 11-1 in Big Ten play, keeping them firmly atop the conference standings and in the conversation for a No. 1 seed come March.

Penn State, now 10-13 (1-11 Big Ten), will look to regroup ahead of their next matchup against USC on February 8. The Nittany Lions’ season has been defined by inconsistency and defensive woes; since December 9, they’ve ranked last nationally in defensive efficiency field goal percentage (61.9%), 2-point defense (62%), and 358th in 3-point defense (41.1%). Despite competitive efforts against some of the Big Ten’s elite, the blowout losses have piled up, and Thursday’s defeat in Ann Arbor was among the most lopsided.

Freshman Kayden Mingo, who leads Penn State with 14.1 points per game and a conference-best 2.1 steals, was unable to find his usual scoring touch against Michigan’s relentless defense. Freddie Dilione V, averaging 13.9 points per game, shouldered much of the offensive load, but the lack of support and poor shooting doomed the Nittany Lions’ hopes of a second straight conference upset.

For Michigan, the victory was a statement of intent. The team’s balanced scoring, stifling defense, and ability to execute in transition have made them a favorite not just in the Big Ten, but nationally. With Lendeborg (14.7 points, 7.2 rebounds), Johnson Jr. (13.8 points), and Mara (10.8 points, 2.6 blocks) leading the frontcourt, and Burnett providing a deadly outside threat, the Wolverines look poised for a deep run in the postseason.

As the final buzzer sounded, the Crisler Center faithful rose to their feet, celebrating a performance that showcased Michigan’s championship potential. While Penn State returns home searching for answers, the Wolverines march on, their sights firmly set on Big Ten glory and beyond.