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Jan 10, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Elliot Cadeau (3) dribbles defended by Wisconsin Badgers guard Andrew Rohde (7) at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Survive and advance is the name of the game in March, but the Michigan Wolverines weren’t exactly content with their 71-67 win over the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals on Friday.
Despite the win, the Wolverines didn’t perform up to their potential for most of the game, and they have to play much better against the Wisconsin Badgers in the semifinals on Saturday.
“Just play a lot harder than we did (on Friday),” guard Elliot Cadeau said. “We’re going to have to have a different mindset coming into the next game and play harder. If we play the way we did today, I don’t think we’ll win tomorrow.”
Michigan played very well at times against Ohio State, but there were several lapses and scoring droughts that allowed the Buckeyes to stay within striking distance. That simply can’t happen against a more dangerous Wisconsin team.
The Wolverines are fully aware of the challenges Wisconsin presents — specifically the backcourt duo of Nick Boyd and John Blackwell — after suffering a 91-88 loss to the Badgers in January, Michigan’s only Big Ten loss this year.
Boyd and Blackwell form one of the nation’s best backcourts, so Cadeau and company will be keyed into trying to keep them contained as best as possible. In the win at Michigan, Blackwell and Boyd combined for 48 points and nine assists.
In order to get revenge on Wisconsin and advance to the Big Ten Tournament Championship Game, the Wolverines not only have to play with more intensity and slow down Blackwell and Boyd, but they need to get a more-impactful performance from Yaxel Lendeborg. He was less than stellar in the win vs Ohio State, posting six points on 1-for-4 shooting from the field to go along with six assists and five rebounds.
“Yaxel had an off night,” head coach Dusty May said. “Each night, we have to figure out what’s the best way for us to win that night and just roll with it. Luckily, we have a locker room full of great dudes that embrace that.”
There’s no doubt Michigan will be motivated to win the rematch vs Wisconsin and atone for the previous loss. With that said, the Wolverines must take it one possession at a time and remain focused on executing the gameplan.
“We just want to play the next possession, figure out what we need to do to win that possession and find solutions,” May said. “We’re equipped and ready for the challenge to figure out a way to win.”
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