The Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pennsylvania, was buzzing with anticipation on Tuesday night, January 6, 2026, as the No. 2 Michigan Wolverines put their undefeated record on the line against the Penn State Nittany Lions. For Michigan, a team that’s been steamrolling opponents all season, this Big Ten matchup was another chance to prove their dominance. For Penn State, it was a shot at redemption after a rocky start to conference play and a string of recent losses.
Michigan entered the contest with a pristine 13-0 record (3-0 in Big Ten play), riding high after a resounding 96-66 victory over USC just days earlier. Morez Johnson Jr. had been the star of that game, pouring in 29 points and grabbing six rebounds, while teammates Will Tschetter, Trey McKenney, LJ Carson, and Roddy Gayle Jr. all chipped in double-digit scoring efforts. The Wolverines’ offensive firepower has been nothing short of spectacular, averaging a staggering 96.7 points per game—good for second in college basketball—and outscoring opponents by an eye-popping 30.2 points per contest.
Penn State, meanwhile, limped into the matchup with a 9-5 record and a daunting 0-3 mark in conference play. The Nittany Lions had lost four of their last five games, including a narrow 73-65 defeat to No. 16 Illinois in their most recent outing. Freshman point guard Kayden Mingo led the way in that loss with 16 points, continuing his impressive season as the team’s top scorer, rebounder, and playmaker (14.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game). But the team’s struggles were evident—Penn State was ranked last in the Big Ten by KenPom and 122nd nationally, with no wins over top-200 opponents and a defense that had been leaking points at an alarming rate.
On paper, the matchup seemed lopsided. The Wolverines were favored by as much as 21.5 to 25 points, depending on the sportsbook, and boasted a moneyline as high as -6250. Their defense, ranked No. 1 nationally by KenPom, had been suffocating opponents all season, holding teams to just 38.5% shooting on two-pointers—no other team in the country could claim a better mark. Michigan’s length and athleticism were on full display, with coach Dusty May fielding a starting lineup featuring three players 6-foot-9 or taller. Yaxel Lendeborg, a versatile forward with guard-like ball-handling, was a game-time decision due to a calf bruise, but the Wolverines’ depth meant that even his absence wouldn’t leave them shorthanded. If Lendeborg couldn’t go, Roddy Gayle or Will Tschetter were ready to step in.
“We just have so many weapons,” said May before tip-off. “On any given night, it could be Yaxel, Morez, or Aday Mara who takes over. Our guys are hungry, and they’re not satisfied just being undefeated—they want to get better every game.”
The statistics told a story of dominance. Michigan had already recorded ten wins by 20 or more points, eight by 30-plus, and six by 40 or more—a Big Ten record. Over their last eight games, the Wolverines had topped the 100-point mark six times, averaging 100.5 points per game in that stretch. Their three-point shooting (36% as a team, with 42% of their attempts coming from deep) and relentless pace (fourth in adjusted tempo nationally) made them a nightmare to defend.
Penn State, by contrast, was searching for answers. The loss of 7-foot center Yanic Konan Niederhauser to the NBA after just one season left a gaping hole in the roster. Coach Mike Rhoades responded by bringing in the highest-ranked recruiting class in program history, highlighted by Croatian big man Ivan Juric. Juric, a 7-footer himself, had been efficient (62.3% shooting, seven made threes), but the team’s defensive woes persisted. The Nittany Lions forced turnovers on 20% of possessions—a Rhoades trademark—but allowed opponents to shoot 56% on two-pointers and 36.4% from three, both among the worst marks in the country.
“We know we’re the underdogs,” admitted Rhoades. “But we’ve got to play our game, force turnovers, and hope we can get hot from deep. Our guys aren’t backing down from anyone.”
Beyond Mingo, Penn State’s lineup featured junior guard Freddie Dilione V (14.1 points per game), sophomore sharpshooter Eli Rice (45.7% from three), senior transfer Josh Reed (60% on twos, 86% from the line), and Juric anchoring the paint. The team’s average height ranked 15th nationally, yet rebounding remained a concern—remarkably, Mingo, a 6-foot-3 guard, led the squad in boards.
Michigan’s recent history against Penn State added another layer to the narrative. The Wolverines owned a 40-17 all-time record in the series (14-11 on the road), but had gone just 4-5 over the last nine meetings. Last season, Michigan snapped a three-game skid against the Nittany Lions with a 76-72 win at home. Their last trip to the Bryce Jordan Center had ended in an 83-61 defeat nearly three years ago, a reminder that road games in the Big Ten are never a given.
As the teams took the court, the stakes were clear. Michigan was one of just six undefeated teams left in the nation, joining the likes of Arizona, Iowa State, Miami (Ohio), Nebraska, and Vanderbilt. A win would keep their perfect season alive and extend a remarkable run that had already etched its place in Big Ten history. For Penn State, it was about pride, growth, and the hope of pulling off a monumental upset in front of their home crowd.
Fans tuning in had plenty of options—FS1 carried the broadcast with Connor Onion and Donny Marshall on the call, while streaming was available via Fubo, DirecTV Stream, and Sling. Betting lines reflected the perceived gap between the teams, with the over/under set at 164.5 or 166.5 points, depending on the outlet. Analysts and oddsmakers alike expected Michigan to cover a hefty spread, with some predicting a final margin north of 25 points.
But as every college basketball fan knows, upsets happen, and the Big Ten rarely disappoints when it comes to drama. Would Michigan’s high-octane offense and stifling defense be too much for Penn State to handle? Or could the Nittany Lions, led by the electric Mingo and a hungry supporting cast, rise to the occasion and make things interesting?
With the action underway and the Bryce Jordan Center rocking, all eyes were on the hardwood. The Wolverines looked to continue their march toward history, while Penn State hoped to flip the script and ignite their season with a signature win. The outcome was still unfolding, but one thing was certain—Big Ten basketball never fails to deliver intrigue, intensity, and a little bit of magic.
As the night progressed, Michigan’s pursuit of perfection remained the story to watch, and Penn State’s fight for respect was on full display. Stay tuned—this one’s far from over.
