A stunning upset: Wisconsin ignites from deep, erasing a large deficit to hand the Wolverines their first loss in a thrilling Big Ten clash.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — For the first two months of the 2025-26 season, the Michigan Wolverines appeared indestructible. But on Saturday afternoon at the Crisler Center, the No. 2-ranked team in the nation finally met its match, falling to Wisconsin 91-88 in a high-octane Big Ten thriller.
The loss marks the first of the season for Michigan (14-1), ending a perfect start that included dominant victories over top-tier programs like Auburn and Gonzaga. For Wisconsin (11-5), the victory is a season-defining upset, achieved as nearly 20-point underdogs in one of the toughest environments in college basketball.
A Tale of Two Halves
The game began as many expected, with Michigan’s high-powered offense overwhelming the Badgers early. Fueled by a raucous "Blue Out" crowd, the Wolverines used a 10-2 spurt to build a 31-17 lead midway through the first half. Michigan’s frontcourt dominated the paint, led by Morez Johnson Jr., who was perfect from the floor in the opening period.
However, Wisconsin refused to fold. Guard John Blackwell single-handedly kept the Badgers in striking distance, scoring 16 of his game-high 26 points in the first half. His personal 7-0 run late in the period sparked a 20-7 surge that trimmed Michigan’s lead to just 38-37 at the break.
Badgers Ignite from Deep
The second half transformed into a shootout. Wisconsin’s perimeter shooting, which has been inconsistent this season, suddenly caught fire. The Badgers connected on 10 three-pointers in the second half alone, shooting 63% from the field during the final 20 minutes.
Michigan countered with a brilliant individual performance from Elliot Cadeau. The sophomore guard scored all 19 of his points in a frantic seven-minute stretch during the second half, answering nearly every Badger bucket with a drive or a jumper of his own.
Despite Cadeau’s heroics and 18 points from Johnson Jr., Michigan struggled to get stops. Wisconsin’s Nick Boyd, who previously played under Michigan coach Dusty May at Florida Atlantic, added 22 points, frequently punishing his former coach’s defense with clutch shots down the stretch.
A Dramatic Conclusion
The final minutes were defined by tension and controversy. With 35.2 seconds remaining and Michigan trailing by three, a pivotal goaltending call against the Wolverines negated what would have been a crucial basket.
Michigan had one final chance to tie the game in the closing seconds. After a frantic scramble for the ball, Roddy Gayle Jr. launched a leaning three-pointer as the buzzer sounded, but the shot rattled off the rim, sealing the upset for the Badgers.
Takeaways and Next Steps
For Michigan, the defeat serves as a wake-up call as they head into the heart of Big Ten play. While their offense remains elite, the defensive lapses that allowed Wisconsin to shoot 15-for-33 from beyond the arc will be a primary focus for coach Dusty May.
The Wolverines will look to bounce back on the road when they travel to face Washington on Wednesday, January 14. Wisconsin, now carrying significant momentum, continues its road swing with a trip to Minnesota on January 13.
Final Score: Wisconsin 91, No. 2 Michigan 88