Bigs Lead the Way: No. 4 Michigan Bounces Back with 82–72 Win at Washington
Sometimes the script is obvious — and that’s not a bad thing.
Michigan walked into Seattle needing a response after its first loss of the season, and this one unfolded largely as expected. The Wolverines controlled the game early, led by nine at the half, and while Washington made things competitive in the second half, they never truly threatened to flip the result. Michigan closed it out with authority, leaning on its size, discipline, and interior dominance to secure an 82–72 road win.
It wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t perfect.
But it was exactly the kind of bounce-back performance good teams deliver.
Frontcourt Takeover: Mara and Johnson Dominate
If Washington had a game plan to deal with Michigan’s size, it didn’t last long.
Aday Mara was the centerpiece, delivering one of the most efficient performances you’ll see all season. The 7-foot-3 center finished with 20 points on 10-of-11 shooting, a ridiculous efficiency line that turned the paint into a no-fly zone. Every touch felt like a high-percentage look, and his length altered shots even when he wasn’t recording blocks.
Alongside him, Morez Johnson Jr. was relentless. Johnson pulled down a career-high 16 rebounds, many of them in traffic, completely erasing Washington’s hopes of second-chance points. His physicality set the tone early and never let the Huskies build momentum.
That combination told the story of the night.
Michigan finished with a 50–28 advantage in points in the paint, and Washington simply had no answers inside.
Winning Without the Three
This wasn’t a clean shooting night by any stretch.
Michigan went just 5-for-23 from three-point range (22%), a number that usually spells trouble. On most nights, that kind of perimeter inefficiency costs you a game.
The difference? Michigan never panicked.
Instead of forcing shots or chasing a rhythm that wasn’t there, the Wolverines doubled down on what was working — post touches, rim pressure, offensive rebounding, and interior defense. When you can dominate the paint like that, outside shooting becomes optional.
That maturity is worth noting.
Defense and Control
Washington made runs in the second half, but they couldn’t close the gap. Michigan consistently answered with stops, particularly during key stretches when the Huskies appeared ready to make it uncomfortable.
A mid-first-half defensive clampdown — nearly seven minutes without a Washington basket — allowed Michigan to create separation that ultimately held up. The Wolverines never lost control of the tempo, even when the game tightened.
Will Tschetter deserves mention here. His minutes didn’t jump off the stat sheet, but his effort, positioning, and physical defense helped stabilize things during key possessions.
Battling Through Injury
Another encouraging sign came from Yaxel Lendeborg, who played through a lingering calf issue and still delivered 14 points and 7 rebounds. His ability to stretch the floor and contribute defensively added balance to the frontcourt rotation, especially on a night when perimeter shooting wasn’t falling.
Michigan needed everyone available — and Lendeborg answered.
The Big Picture
This was not a statement win.
It was something better.
Michigan responded to adversity with composure, executed a clear game plan, and won on the road without relying on hot shooting or hero ball. That’s how you stack wins in the Big Ten — especially in unfamiliar environments.
After back-to-back shaky performances, this was a reminder that Michigan doesn’t need to be perfect to be effective.
What’s Next
Michigan continues its West Coast swing on Saturday, January 17, traveling to Eugene to face Oregon. Tip-off is set for 1:00 PM ET on NBC.
If the Wolverines continue to own the paint the way they did in Seattle, they’ll be tough to beat — regardless of how the jump shots fall.
Stat Capsule 🏀
Paint Points: Michigan 50 | Washington 28
FG Shooting: Michigan 60% | Washington 43%
3PT Shooting: Michigan 22% (5-23)
Rebounds: Morez Johnson Jr. – 16
Efficiency King: Aday Mara – 20 pts, 10-11 FG
Aday Mara delivered a season-high 20 points and was a defensive presence all night. Do you think he would look good in a Pistons uniform? Drop a comment below or Join the conversation in the Wolverine Wire — where fans break down every game, every angl
Info gathered from team reports, pressers & trusted media outlets — the way we always do it at Mitten Sports Talk.
