Dominant #3 Michigan Wolverines Smash Scarlet Knights
The Michigan Wolverines are on fire. On Saturday, they sent a clear message to the Big Ten, and the nation, by crushing the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 101-60 in NCAA basketball Saturday night. It was a dominant performance, with Michigan’s offense firing on all cylinders and the Crisler Center crowd roaring for a No. 1 ranking.
The Wolverines are playing a fast, high-energy game. This win marked their third straight 100-point game. From powerful inside scoring to sharp ball movement, they controlled every aspect of the game.
The momentum shifted decisively late in the first half. A three-pointer from Nimari Burnett sparked a 15-2 run, giving Michigan a commanding 50-25 halftime lead. They didn’t let up, hitting 7 of 10 three-pointers in the opening eight minutes of the second half.
Michigan’s Relentless Assault Continues
Morez Johnson Jr. led the charge with 22 points on 9-of-11 shooting, while Yaxel Lendenborg added 14 points and eight rebounds. Trey McKenney scored 13, and Elliot Cadeau orchestrated the offense with 11 points and nine assists. The Wolverines looked sharp, fueled by a 10-day break, and turned the game into a blowout.
A Tough Outing for the Scarlet Knights
For Rutgers, it was another tough loss, dropping their fifth game in six outings. Freshmen Harun Zrno and Kaden Powers led the Scarlet Knights with 13 points each, while Dylan Grant contributed 11 points and seven rebounds. Yet, they couldn’t match Michigan’s firepower.
As the final seconds ticked away, the “Maize Rage” erupted into chants of “No. 1,” and with good reason. Top-ranked Purdue lost earlier in the day, and Michigan is making a strong case as the best team in college basketball.
Game Summary
Final Score
- Michigan Wolverines: 101
- Rutgers Scarlet Knights: 60
Top Performers
- Morez Johnson Jr. (MICH): 22 points, 9-11 shooting
- Yaxel Lendenborg (MICH): 14 points, 8 rebounds
- Elliot Cadeau (MICH): 11 points, 9 assists
- Harun Zrno (RUTG): 13 points
- Kaden Powers (RUTG): 13 points
Key Plays
- The Wolverines dominated the paint early, scoring 22 of their first 24 points inside.
- A 15-2 run in the first half, highlighted by Burnett’s three-pointer, blew the game open.
- The Wolverines hit 7 of their first 10 three-pointers to start the second half.
Team Records
- Michigan: 8-0 (1-0 Big Ten)
- Rutgers: 5-5 (0-2 Big Ten)
Next Up
- Michigan: Hosts Villanova on Tuesday night.
- Rutgers: Travels to face Seton Hall on Saturday.
