Michigan basketball on an epic 'heater' and focused on final goal

5 days ago 2

The stretch Michigan basketball is in the midst of has escaped exactly nobody's notice.

The Wolverines pulverized USC, 96-66, on Friday, Jan. 2, at a sold out Crisler Center, the latest in a season of demolition. No. 1 Michigan (13-0, 3-0 Big Ten) has 10 wins by at least 25 points, eight by 30 or more, six by 40 or more and one by more than 50.

Coach Dusty May said he hasn't ever had a run like this, at any level, with any team. It's a run that Kyle Whittingham – U-M football's new coach, introduced to a standing ovation in the first half – hopes to have in Ann Arbor.

Michigan forward Will Tschetter (42) celebrates a play against USC with guard Roddy Gayle Jr. (11) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026.

KUDOS FOR KYLE: Michigan football coach Whittingham gets standing O at Crisler

"No, this is a heater," May said, before he issued a reminder. "All glory is fleeting. ... We have to be about getting healthy tomorrow and in our preparation."

What might be most concerning for so many other top-ranked teams – USC entered on the fringe of the USA TODAY Coaches Poll and No. 24 in Associated Press voting – is that Michigan didn't even play up to its standards in becoming the first team to beat three straight AP-ranked teams by at least 30 points. The Wolverines' offense was particularly lacking beyong the 3-point line, shooting just 20%.

And the defense? Well, the Wolverines forced 21 turnovers – including 12 steals – and held USC to just 34.5% shooting from the floor. And yet it was the defensive end that Morez Johnson Jr. derided after the win.

"I don't think defense was up to par tonight," he said. "We had another level to reach. You know, we had a couple mental lapses, but can't do nothing about it now, just gotta keep on learning from it and getting better every day in practice."

U-M didn't allow the Trojans to score for more than 6½ minutes to open the game, opening up an 11-point lead.

'A bunch of bright basketball players'

Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr. (21) celebrates a play against USC during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026.

But, oh, that offense.

Johnson led the way with a bruising 29 points, finishing around the rim early and often. He had 18 points on dunks and layups, making eight of nine such attempts, then showed shooting touch drilling a 3 in the second half and going 8-for-10 from the stripe.

Like everybody, the Wolverines have a game plan going into every contest. But one of their strengths is the ability to adjust on the fly. Against the Trojans, the shots weren't falling early and U-M had a size advantage, so they decided to work in the paint and on the run.

"We figured out a couple minutes in that was probably going to be our best offense with the way they were defending," May said. "Credit to a bunch of bright basketball players that can figure out what the game requires and go take advantage."

Three other Wolverines scored in double figures – L.J. Cason, Trey McKenney and Will Tschetter had 10 apiece – but May knows that scoring varies. What won't – or shouldn't – is effort. There was no discernable lack of energy on this evening, but evidently the practices leading up to it weren't up to par.

"Our standards have to continue to be the standards that we've created," May said. "It's still pretty darn good, but there's just something that we didn't have the same edge tonight. I'm sure that's what that's what Morez was referring to.

Michigan head coach Dusty May talks to center Aday Mara (15) during the second half against USC at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026.

"Overall, we're pleased to be walking out of here 3-0 [in Big Ten play], but we can't let our lack of making shots in a particular game affect our defensive energy and edge. And for the most part, we didn't."

What's next for the Wolverines

Now, Michigan really gets in the thick of it.

After the Wolverines' third game in the past 20 days – following two nonconference games with a 46-point average margin of victory – they will have six in the next 21. That's what happens in Big Ten play, with two or three games a week. Health will be key, but for now, any crisis from Friday appears averted.

Nimari Burnett didn't play the final 16:26 of the game after taking a bloody blow to the head; Yaxel Lendeborg sat with a leg issue for the final 15:55, but neither injury seems as though it will affect either player long term.

Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg (23), center, stretches from the bench during the second half against USC at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026.

"Yax had a bruised calf and Nimari, he had stitches in his eye," May said. "They both asked to go back in."

The Wolverines are thrilled by their start. Johnson called the first 13 games "crazy" in terms of blowouts.

But May's mentality has seeped in.

It's why Johnson pointed out the defense's few miscues on a night they won by 30.

That's what happens with an elite team – every game a stepping stone toward the finish line.

Michigan, off to a historic start, has the start of an epic season, allowing fans to revel for a while.

The Wolverines getting ready for their road game against Penn State on Tuesday (7 p.m., FS!)? They don't have time to admire what's in the rearview mirror.

"You know, we can't just get too happy about it," Johnson said. "We got to keep locked, staying locked in, getting better every day, because we know we have an end goal at the end of the year."

Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.