STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – No. 2-ranked Michigan Wolverines head coach Dusty May shared his thoughts following the team’s hard-fought 74-72 road victory over the Penn State Nittany Lions inside the Bryson Jordan Center.
May expressed gratitude to the Michigan fans who traveled to support the team as they improved to 14-0 on the season, saying, “I felt a burst of energy walking out and seeing how many fans we had. We’re in the maize and blue, so we’re grateful for those that traveled as far as they did to come and support these guys.”
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He praised Penn State’s physicality and game plan, acknowledging that the opponent “beat us every 50/50 ball.”
May noted that the game was a battle between two determined teams, with the final shot just missing by Freddie Dilione V (17 points) at the buzzer.
Highlighting Penn State’s Ivan Juric (20 points) as “extremely effective” and physical, May said the opposing team played a smart, disciplined game and capitalized on Michigan’s mistakes.
Despite the challenges, May said Michigan’s veteran players showed resilience and confidence, which helped the team find a way to win.
Addressing the team’s struggles with shooting, May compared the current situation to a similar stretch last year when the team missed several clean looks.
May emphasized that gaining experience in these moments builds confidence over time.
Kayden Mingo
Regarding Penn State’s Kayden Mingo’s absence, May said it significantly changed the game plan.
Mingo’s ability to move freely and disrupt defensively is impactful, and his absence was felt.
However, May credited Penn State’s other players for stepping up.
Final possession
On Penn State’s final possession, May explained the defensive adjustments made to contain their most experienced player, Dilione V.
May praised Yaxel Lendeborg and Nimari Burnett for forcing tough shots and acknowledged the difficulty of in-game decisions, such as whether to play for overtime or take a game-winning three-pointer.
He also discussed halftime adjustments, focusing on rebounding, where Michigan was initially outperformed.
May noted the team’s small lineup and how Penn State’s zone defense disrupted Michigan’s rhythm early on.
Despite these challenges, May praised his team’s defensive determination, especially in the final minutes, as they made key stops and secured rebounds.
Injuries
When asked about Lendeborg’s injury, May confirmed it was a calf contusion with no risk of further harm, and praised the player’s effort despite not having his best game.
Stars of the game
Guard L.J. Cason had a career high in points as he led the Wolveirnes with 14 points off the bench.
Trey McKenney and Burnett chipped in with 12 each, while Lendeborg mustered up 10 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and one block in the hostile environment.
Momentum shifts
Reflecting on the game’s momentum shifts, May said Michigan built a lead by putting pressure on the rim and capitalizing on defensive rebounds to push the pace.
However, the Wolverines later settled for tough threes, which allowed Penn State to regain momentum.
May concluded by emphasizing the team’s ongoing growth and learning through these challenging games as they pursue a championship.
With the victory, the Wolverines improved to a 41-17 all-time record against Penn State, including a 15-11 mark in road games.
After an eight-game winning streak in the series, Michigan has gone 5-5 in the last 10 meetings.
Currently, Michigan is one of six undefeated teams nationally, joining No. 1 Arizona, No. 3 Iowa State, Miami (Ohio), No. 13 Nebraska, and No. 11 Vanderbilt.
The Wolverines are off to one of the most dominant starts in modern college basketball history, with 10 wins by 20 or more points, including eight by 30-plus, six by 40-plus, one by 50-plus, and three victories over nationally ranked opponents.
Michigan’s three consecutive wins by 30-plus points over ranked opponents mark a first in Associated Press poll history.
Their six victories by 40-plus points this season are the most in Big Ten history.
The Wolverines have scored 100 or more points in six of their last eight games, averaging 100.5 points during that stretch.
Overall, Michigan has seven 100-point games and ranks fourth nationally, averaging 96.7 points per game.
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The Wolverines will take the floor on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, against the Wisconsin Badgers at 1 p.m. inside the Crisler Center.