The Michigan Wolverines men’s basketball team made a statement in Seattle on Wednesday night, rebounding from their first stumble of the season to secure an impressive 82-72 victory over the Washington Huskies at Alaska Airlines Arena. With the late-night tipoff at 10:30 p.m. ET, fans on both coasts witnessed Michigan, now ranked No. 4 in the nation, demonstrate why they remain a force in the Big Ten and beyond.
Entering the contest, the Wolverines (14-1, 4-1 Big Ten before tipoff) were looking to bounce back after a surprising 91-88 defeat at home against Wisconsin on January 10—a loss that not only snapped their perfect start but also raised questions about their early conference form. Head coach Dusty May acknowledged the team’s recent struggles, saying, “We haven’t played well in our last four contests,” and emphasized the importance of a mental reset heading into the West Coast swing.
Washington, meanwhile, came into the game with a 10-6 record, including a strong 7-1 mark at home. The Huskies had been plagued by injuries and lineup changes, utilizing nine different starting fives already this season. Still, they had shown resilience, and with a top-50 KenPom ranking (No. 61 offense, No. 54 defense), they posed a legitimate threat—especially with a raucous home crowd behind them.
The injury report was a key storyline before tipoff. Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg, working his way back from a calf injury, was cleared to play. “He seems to be healed,” Coach May said earlier in the week. “And so hopefully, just like he did after Wake Forest and those games where he had the hand injury, he gets back to being himself.” For Washington, senior guard Desmond Claude was expected to return after missing the previous game for personal reasons, while other Huskies like Lathan Sommerville and Wesley Yates III were still managing injuries.
From the opening whistle, Michigan set the tone. Less than four minutes in, the Wolverines grabbed a lead they would never relinquish. Washington, perhaps feeling the pressure or the effects of their rotating lineup, missed their first 12 three-point attempts and needed seven minutes to notch their second field goal. The Wolverines exploited their size and efficiency in the paint, capitalizing on Washington’s defensive lapses and cold perimeter shooting.
Leading the charge for Michigan was 7-foot-3 center Aday Mara, who delivered a career night with 20 points on an astonishing 10-of-11 shooting. Mara also contributed three blocks, two rebounds, and a pair of assists, providing the interior dominance the Wolverines needed. Morez Johnson Jr. was a force on the glass, pulling down a career-best 16 rebounds to go with his 16 points. Yaxel Lendeborg, in his return to full strength, added 14 points and seven boards—just the kind of balanced attack Michigan fans had been hoping to see.
“We knew the environment was going to be tough,” May said before the game. “They’ve only lost one home game this year. We know what we’re up against.” Yet, the Wolverines never looked rattled, even as Washington made several pushes in the second half. The Huskies, led by JJ Mandaquit’s 15 points off the bench and Quimari Peterson’s 13 (including four made three-pointers), kept battling. Hannes Steinbach, the 6-foot-11 freshman from Germany, chipped in with 11 points and 14 rebounds, showcasing the rebounding prowess that has made him a standout in the Big Ten this year.
Despite their efforts, Washington struggled mightily from long range, with the team combining to go just 9-for-33 from beyond the arc. Their shooting woes allowed Michigan to maintain a cushion throughout, never letting the Huskies get closer than five points in the second half. It wasn’t until a late 11-2 run, capped by a series of strong finishes and defensive stops, that the Wolverines stretched the lead to 80-65, effectively putting the game out of reach with three minutes remaining.
There were bright spots for the Huskies, though. The game marked the much-anticipated debut of Jacob Ognacevic, the reigning Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Year, who transferred to Washington from Lipscomb. Ognacevic, returning from a foot injury that sidelined him for the first half of the season, made an immediate impact with 10 points and three rebounds.
For Michigan, the win was more than just a return to the victory column. It was a reminder of their depth and resilience. The Wolverines had dominated nonconference play but looked vulnerable in early Big Ten action, barely escaping Penn State and falling to an unranked Wisconsin squad. With this victory, they improved to 15-1 overall and 5-1 in the Big Ten, keeping pace with conference leaders Nebraska and Purdue.
Washington, now 10-7 (2-4 Big Ten), faces an uphill battle as they look to regroup. The Huskies’ offensive rebounding and improved defense—ranked fifth in the Big Ten in offensive rebounding at 38.8 per game—were not enough to overcome Michigan’s efficiency and size inside. The Wolverines led the conference in two-point shooting and leaned on that advantage, outscoring the Huskies in the paint and limiting second-chance points.
Looking ahead, Michigan continues its West Coast road trip with a visit to Oregon on January 17, while Washington will try to bounce back at home against No. 12 Michigan State. The Wolverines’ next five games include high-profile matchups against Indiana, Ohio State, Nebraska, and a rivalry clash at Michigan State—tests that will further define their Big Ten and national title aspirations.
As the final buzzer sounded in Seattle, one thing was clear: Michigan’s early January stumble was just that—a stumble. The Wolverines showed the poise, talent, and depth that have made them one of the nation’s elite, while Washington, despite the loss, proved they’re a tough out at home and a program on the rise. With conference play heating up, both teams know the road ahead is filled with challenges—but for Michigan, at least for tonight, the journey is back on track.
