The Michigan Wolverines men’s basketball team secured a hard-fought 96-94 overtime victory over the St. John’s Red Storm in an exhibition matchup at Madison Square Garden on October 25, 2025.

Michigan, ranked seventh nationally, outlasted the fifth-ranked Red Storm in a thrilling contest that tested both teams’ depth and composure. The Wolverines’ standout performer was Yaxel Lendeborg, who scored 25 points on 10-of-15 shooting, grabbed 10 rebounds, and dished four assists. His all-around performance set the tone on both ends of the court and established him as a potential leader for Michigan this season.

Freshmen Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr. also impressed in their debuts. Mara added 13 points and five rebounds, showing a strong interior presence and touch around the rim. Johnson Jr. contributed 14 points and seven rebounds, playing with energy and poise, especially in key overtime moments. Their performances suggest Michigan’s young talent is ready to play a meaningful role right away.

The game was far from perfect, however. Michigan committed 22 turnovers, which St. John’s converted into 22 points. Those miscues nearly cost them the game, particularly during the second half when the Red Storm’s press defense began to wear on the Wolverines. Ball security remains an area of concern for a Michigan team that struggled with similar issues last season.

In overtime, Michigan appeared to take control early, opening the extra period with an 8-0 run fueled by strong rebounding and efficient shot selection. St. John’s quickly responded with an 8-0 run of their own, sparked by hot perimeter shooting and aggressive play in transition. With the score tied late, Michigan sealed the win at the free-throw line behind clutch shooting from Roddy Gayle Jr.

Defensively, Michigan did enough to escape with the win. The Wolverines contained St. John’s in critical moments, forcing difficult shots and limiting second-chance opportunities. Still, the Red Storm’s ability to generate turnovers and create points off Michigan’s mistakes highlighted some defensive lapses that will need to be addressed moving forward.

Offensively, Michigan showed promise with improved spacing and balanced scoring. Lendeborg’s versatility — scoring inside and stretching the floor with two made three-pointers — gives the Wolverines a new dimension. When combined with Mara’s size and Johnson Jr.’s athleticism, Michigan displayed a frontcourt that can match up well with nearly any team in the country.

This win is both encouraging and revealing. On one hand, Michigan demonstrated mental toughness by surviving a physical, high-energy opponent in an overtime environment. On the other, the Wolverines’ sloppy execution at times exposed areas that need refinement before regular-season play begins.

In my view, Michigan’s performance against St. John’s shows why they belong among the nation’s top teams. The talent, depth, and composure they displayed in crunch time suggest they’re capable of making a deep run later in the year. But for that to happen, they’ll need to value each possession and minimize avoidable mistakes.

Overall, the 96-94 overtime win served as both a confidence booster and a teaching moment. Michigan proved it can win in a hostile, high-stakes setting, but also learned that its margin for error will shrink as the season progresses.