Wolverines overwhelm USC with defensive grit and offensive fluidity, sending a resounding Big Ten statement. Their dominant frontcourt ignites a rout, crushing the Trojans.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – On a night dedicated to celebrating Michigan’s basketball heritage with "Detroit Pistons Night" at the Crisler Center, the current No. 2 ranked Michigan Wolverines (13-0, 3-0 Big Ten) played with the kind of defensive grit and offensive fluidity that would have made the "Bad Boys" proud. In a clash that many expected to be a measuring stick for the new-look Big Ten, Michigan left no doubt, dismantling the No. 24 USC Trojans (12-2, 1-2 Big Ten) in a 96-66 rout.
The victory keeps Michigan’s perfect season intact and serves as a resounding warning to the rest of the conference: Dusty May’s squad is not just winning; they are overwhelming opponents with a modern, high-tempo system that USC simply had no answer for on Friday night.
A Whirlwind Start
From the opening tip, the atmosphere inside the sold-out Crisler Center was electric. Michigan’s backcourt, led by junior point guard Elliot Cadeau, set a blistering pace that left the Trojans winded by the first media timeout. Cadeau, who finished with seven points and six rebounds orchestrated an early 15-4 run that forced USC head coach Eric Musselman to burn a timeout just four minutes into the game.
Michigan’s shot selection was a masterclass in efficiency. By prioritizing high-percentage looks at the rim and wide-open transition threes, the Wolverines shot a staggering 56% from the field in the first half. While USC attempted to counter with the scoring prowess of Chad Baker-Mazara, the Trojans struggled to find rhythm against a Michigan defense that seemed to have a hand in every passing lane.
Johnson Jr. and Mara Anchor the Paint
The story of the game, however, was the dominance of Michigan’s frontcourt. Sophomore sensation Morez Johnson Jr. continued his All-American campaign, punishing USC on the glass and finishing with a game-high 29 points. His chemistry with 7-foot-3 center Aday Mara created a "twin towers" effect that effectively neutralized USC’s interior scoring.
Mara was a human eraser on the defensive end, recording five blocks and altering countless other shots. His presence allowed Michigan’s perimeter defenders to gamble for steals, knowing they had an elite safety net at the rim. USC’s Ezra Ausar managed 15 points, but many came after the game had already drifted out of reach.
"We talk about 'playing at our level' every single night," Dusty May said post-game. "Tonight, the ball movement was exactly where it needed to be. When you have guys like Morez and Aday anchoring the middle, it gives our shooters the confidence to let it fly."
Trojan Struggles and Bright Spots
For USC, the transition into the Big Ten has been a gauntlet. Coming off a successful Maui Invitational earlier in the season, the Trojans looked like a team still adjusting to the physical, travel-heavy reality of the expanded conference. Jaden Brownell was huge off the bench with 16 points ,but the Trojans' 21 turnovers were too much to overcome.
Michigan’s Roddy Gayle Jr. was instrumental in shutting down USC’s primary scoring options, hounding the perimeter and contributing 12 points of his own, including a back-breaking transition dunk midway through the second half that pushed the lead to 30.
Looking Ahead
With the win, Michigan solidifies its case for the No. 1 spot in the next AP Poll, especially with recent stumbles by other top-five teams. The Wolverines will now take their undefeated record on the road to face Penn State on Tuesday, January 6.
For USC, the road doesn't get any easier. They must travel to East Lansing to face Michigan State on Monday, looking to salvage a split of their Michigan road trip and regain their footing in the conference standings.
As the final buzzer sounded at the Crisler Center, the Michigan faithful broke into a familiar "Hail to the Victors," celebrating a team that looks increasingly like a legitimate national title contender.