No. 3 Michigan Smothers Indiana, 86–72, Remains Tied for Second in Big Ten
If you were watching Tuesday night and waiting for Indiana to make this interesting… you probably stopped waiting pretty early.
The No. 3 Michigan Wolverines didn’t just beat the Indiana Hoosiers at the Crisler Center — they slowly, methodically took them apart in an 86–72 win that felt more comfortable than the final score suggests.
This wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t chaotic. It was Michigan doing exactly what good teams do at home: defend early, control the glass, and never let the opponent believe.
It Was Over Before It Felt Like It Started
The tone was set almost immediately.
Indiana didn’t score for the first six minutes, and by the time they finally saw one go through the hoop, Michigan already looked settled in. Not rushed. Not emotional. Just… in control.
The Wolverines came out defending like a team that knew exactly what it wanted to take away. Passing lanes were tight, help was early, and Indiana’s usual comfort inside never showed up. The crowd felt it, too — that early “yeah, this might be one of those nights” energy kicked in fast.
Aday Mara Makes the Paint a No-Fly Zone
A lot of that early discomfort came courtesy of Aday Mara.
At 7-foot-3, Mara doesn’t need to block everything to change the game — just being there alters decisions. Indiana hesitated. Drivers pulled up short. Shots got rushed. And when they did challenge him, it usually didn’t end well.
Mara finished with a solid night statistically, but the real impact was how uncomfortable he made Indiana feel any time they sniffed the lane. Michigan wants to be a paint-first defensive team, and Mara is a big reason that identity is taking hold.
Cadeau Runs the Show, Lendeborg Does the Dirty Work
Offensively, this felt like another reminder that Elliot Cadeau is completely comfortable running the show.
Nothing forced. Nothing flashy for the sake of it. Cadeau got where he wanted, picked his spots, and kept everyone involved. When Michigan needed a bucket to stop any potential momentum, he was usually the one with the ball.
Right alongside him was Yaxel Lendeborg, quietly doing all the things that don’t always grab headlines — finishing inside, battling on the boards, and keeping possessions alive. Michigan dominated the glass, and Lendeborg was right at the center of that effort.
That rebounding edge? That’s not accidental. That’s a Dusty May team starting to look like a Dusty May team.
Young Pieces Fitting In, Not Forcing It
One of the most encouraging things about this Michigan group is how the younger pieces are blending in without trying to do too much.
Freshman Trey McKenney continues to look comfortable in his role — scoring when it’s there, competing defensively, and not pressing. And Morez Johnson Jr. brings an edge every time he’s on the floor. He rebounds, he rotates, and he plays like someone who understands exactly what his job is.
That balance between veterans and young contributors is why this roster feels so steady.
Second Half: No Drama Required
If Indiana had any hopes of a run, Michigan shut that down at the free-throw line.
After a rough first half from the stripe, the Wolverines flipped the switch after the break and quietly put the game away by doing the boring stuff right. Free throws went in. Defensive rebounds were secured. The lead stayed comfortable.
There was never a “hold your breath” moment.
A nice touch late came when Will Tschetter crossed the 600-point mark in his Michigan career — a small moment, but a reminder of how much continuity still exists on this roster despite all the transfer movement.
What This Win Really Means
This wasn’t about style points. It was about confirmation.
Michigan looks organized. They look connected. They look like a team that knows what it wants to be on both ends of the floor. And most importantly — they’re winning games without needing everything to go perfectly.
That’s usually the sign of something real.
Stat Capsule 🏀
Game Control
- Final: Michigan 86, Indiana 72
- Michigan led wire-to-wire
- Largest lead: 25
- Halftime: Michigan 40–29
Team Identity
- FG%: Michigan 51% | Indiana 40%
- 3PT%: Michigan 40% | Indiana 32%
- Rebounds: Michigan +16 (41–25)
- Points in the Paint: Michigan 32 | Indiana 22
Frontcourt Impact
- Aday Mara: 13 PTS | 7 REB | 3 BLK
- Lendeborg + Morez Johnson Jr.: 15 rebounds combined
- Offensive rebounds: Michigan 12 | Indiana 5
Backcourt & Balance
- Elliot Cadeau: 19 PTS, steady control throughout
- Trey McKenney: 10 PTS off the bench
- Michigan had four players in double figures
What’s Next: Rivalry Night Incoming
Things ramp up quickly from here.
Michigan stays home for a Friday night showdown with the Ohio State Buckeyes, and the Crisler Center will be buzzing. Not just because it’s Ohio State — but because Trey Burke will have his jersey retired at halftime.
Rivalry game. National spotlight. Program legend honored.
Yeah — For the Michigan faithful, that one’s going to feel big!
Join the conversation in the Wolverine Wire — where fans break down every game, every angle.
Info gathered from team reports, pressers & trusted media outlets — the way we always do it at Mitten Sports Talk.
