Michigan Basketball Faces Wisconsin in Big Ten Tournament Semifinal
CHICAGO, Ill. – Following a hard-fought victory over Ohio State, the top-ranked Michigan Wolverines (30-2) are set to clash with the 23rd-ranked Wisconsin Badgers (24-9) in the Big Ten Tournament Semifinal on Saturday, March 14th, at the United Center. The game is scheduled to tip off at noon CT and will be broadcast live on CBS, featuring commentary from Ian Eagle, Grant Hill, Bill Raftery, and Tracy Wolfson.
Big Ten Tournament History & Quick Facts
- Michigan boasts four Big Ten Tournament titles (1998, 2017, 2018, 2025).
- The Wolverines have secured the No. 1 seed three times (2014, 2021, 2026), enjoying a triple bye in the 2026 tournament.
- This marks Michigan’s 12th semifinal appearance in the Big Ten Tournament, with a 4-2 record in championship games.
- U-M is one of only three teams to achieve back-to-back tournament titles (2017, 2018).
Wolverines Advance After Quarterfinal Win
Michigan earned their spot in the semifinals with a challenging 71-67 quarterfinal win against Ohio State. Aday Mara led the Wolverines with an impressive performance, scoring 17 points, grabbing seven rebounds, and blocking two shots. Elliot Cadeau also contributed significantly with 15 points and seven assists.
Rematch with Wisconsin
The semifinal matchup against Wisconsin is a highly anticipated rematch of the 2025 Big Ten Tournament Championship game. In that contest, Michigan mounted a remarkable comeback, overcoming an 11-point second-half deficit to defeat the Badgers 59-53. The Wolverines dominated the final 12 minutes, outscoring Wisconsin 32-15.
Previous Encounters & Season Highlights
Earlier this season, Wisconsin handed Michigan their only regular-season loss, a 91-88 defeat at Crisler Center on January 10th. The Badgers’ impressive shooting performance, including 15 three-pointers, proved to be a key factor in the victory. It was the first time an opponent had hit 15+ three-pointers against Michigan in over nine years.
With a record of 30-2, Michigan is having a historically dominant season. They have secured 24 wins by a margin of 10 points or more, 13 by 20+, 10 by 30+, and a Big Ten record of seven by 40+. The team has reached 30 wins for the sixth time in program history, and is aiming to surpass the program record of 33 wins set in the 2017-18 season.
Key Players to Watch
- Aday Mara: Demonstrating exceptional efficiency, Mara is shooting 75.6% from the field over the last six games.
- Morez Johnson Jr.: Heating up from beyond the arc, Johnson Jr. is 62.5% from three-point range in his last four games.
- Elliot Cadeau: Leading the team with 178 assists (5.6 per game), Cadeau is just 62 points away from reaching 1,000 for his collegiate career.
- Trey McKenney: A sharpshooter, McKenney leads U-M with 54 made three-pointers.
Looking Ahead
Michigan’s success under Coach Dusty May has been marked by their ability to win close games, boasting a 19-5 record in games decided by four points or fewer. The Wolverines will look to continue their winning streak and advance to the Big Ten Championship game.
Stay tuned for updates and analysis as Michigan basketball continues its pursuit of a championship!
Official Big Ten Men’s Basketball Website
Official Michigan Wolverines Basketball Website
