Michigan erupted for 110 points behind a scorching shooting night from Nimari Burnett and an overall balanced offensive attack, rolling past Penn State in a wire-to-wire Big Ten blowout at Crisler Center.
Michigan delivered a dominant statement on its home floor, overwhelming Penn State 110–69 in a wire-to-wire Big Ten blowout that showcased the Wolverines at their most explosive on both ends of the court.
Michigan wasted no time asserting control, erupting for 56 first-half points while holding Penn State to just 24. The Wolverines led by 32 at the break and never allowed the Nittany Lions to get within striking distance, pushing the margin beyond 40 points for much of the second half. Michigan finished the night shooting a scorching 60.6% from the field and 51.7% from three-point range, a level of efficiency Penn State simply could not match.
Nimari Burnett led the offensive onslaught with a game-high and career-high 31 points in just 21 minutes, knocking down 11 of his 16 shots and drilling seven three-pointers. Burnett’s shooting barrage helped Michigan finish 15-for-29 from beyond the arc, compared to Penn State’s 2-for-20 performance from deep. The Wolverines’ perimeter accuracy stretched the floor early and often, opening up driving lanes and creating easy looks throughout the night.
Michigan’s ball movement was just as impressive as its shooting. The Wolverines totaled 31 assists on 40 made field goals, with Elliot Cadeau dishing out eight assists to go along with seven points. Morez Johnson Jr. controlled the glass, grabbing a team-high eight rebounds, while Michigan finished with a commanding 44–21 advantage on the boards. That rebounding edge fueled a 22–6 advantage in second-chance points and allowed Michigan to dictate the pace from start to finish.
Depth also played a major role in the rout. Michigan’s bench poured in 43 points, highlighted by solid contributions from multiple reserves, including 12 points apiece from Tre McKenney, who played a game-high 27 minutes, and L.J. Cason. The Wolverines consistently rotated fresh bodies into the game without any drop-off in intensity, keeping Penn State on its heels for all 40 minutes.
Penn State was led by Freddie Dilione, who scored 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds, but the Nittany Lions struggled mightily from the field, shooting just 37.1% overall. Michigan center Aday Mara played a big part in that with six blocks and several other altered shots. Turnovers and defensive breakdowns compounded the problem for PSU, as Michigan turned their miscues into easy transition opportunities and finished with a 50–36 edge in points in the paint.
By the final horn, Michigan had posted one of its most complete performances of the season, combining elite shooting, unselfish offense, and physical defense. Michigan's top dog, Yaxel Lendeborg, scored only six points, and the Wolverines still rolled by 41 points for its seventh 40-point win this season, a Big Ten record. The lopsided victory served as a clear reminder of Michigan’s ceiling when everything is clicking — and sent a message to the rest of the Big Ten in emphatic fashion.