Michigan
Northwestern
Wolverines to Face Wildcats in Midweek Big Ten Clash in Evanston
2/9/2026 2:41:00 PM | Men's Basketball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The second-ranked University of Michigan men's basketball team (22-1, 12-1 Big Ten) will remain on the road, heading to the Windy City for a midweek Big Ten matchup at Northwestern (10-14, 2-11 Big Ten) on Wednesday (Feb. 11) from Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, Ill. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. CT, with the conference contest televised on Big Ten Network, featuring Kevin Kugler, Jordan Taylor, and Andy Katz on the call.
Notes
• Michigan plays two games in four days, opening the week in the "Windy City" for its meeting at Northwestern before returning to Ann Arbor to host UCLA.
• Michigan has a 120-60 all-time edge over Northwestern. U-M has won eight of the last 10 meetings against the Wildcats. In Evanston, U-M is 48-38 and has taken three of the last four matchups. The Wildcats won the last meeting at Welsh-Ryan Arena, 76-62, on Feb. 22, 2024 -- nearly two years ago (1 year, 11 months, 20 days).
• In the lone meeting last season, Vladislav Goldin poured in a career-high 31 points as Michigan rallied past Northwestern, 80-76, in overtime in Ann Arbor. After overcoming early shooting struggles, the Wolverines surged in the second half to force the extra period. While both teams lived at the free-throw line in overtime -- Northwestern (11-for-15) and U-M (9-for-10) -- it was Maize and Blue's three made field goals, compared to Northwestern's 0-for-5 shooting, that sealed the comeback.
• Michigan's 22-1 record is the best start in program history, surpassing the 20-1 openings by the 2013 (31-8; Final Four) and 2019 (30-7; Sweet 16) teams. With 12 Big Ten wins, U-M has 10+ league victories in 13 of the past 15 seasons.
• Michigan continues to build upon one of its most dominant seasons in program history, totaling 18 wins by 10+ points, 12 by 20+, nine by 30+, seven by 40+ (a Big Ten record), and one by 50+ (102-50; +52 over La Salle).
• U-M's eight 100-point games are tied for the second most in program history.
• Michigan's "Big Three" -- Yaxel Lendeborg (14.3 ppg, 7.5 rpg), Morez Johnson Jr. (13.6 ppg, 7.3 rpg), and Aday Mara (11.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg) -- combine for roughly 40 percent of U-M's offense and more than half of the team's rebounding.
• The "Big Three" have combined for 20+ rebounds in six straight games, including a season-high 32 at Ohio State -- outrebounding the Buckeyes' entire team (31).
• Mara has scored double figures in seven of his last eight games, highlighted by two 20-point performances, including a career-high 24 points at Ohio State, where he added his first two three-pointers of his career.
• Elliot Cadeau has 14 assists with zero turnovers over his last two games -- eight against Penn State and six more at Ohio State. He leads U-M with 5.4 per game. In fact, Cadeau has dished out 6+ assists in five straight contests.
• Last week, Nimari Burnett knocked down nine three-pointers, accounting for nearly a quarter of his season total (39). He opened the week by drilling a career-best seven against Penn State, finishing with a career-high 31 points.
• Trey McKenney has embraced his role as Michigan's "Sixth Man" in his first season and continues to deliver, scoring in double figures in six straight games. He averages 10.1 points in 20.9 minutes off the bench.
