Michigan to Host UCLA in Valentine’s Day ‘White Out’ at Crisler Center
Second-ranked Michigan (23-1, 13-1 Big Ten) will welcome UCLA (17-7, 9-4 Big Ten) to Ann Arbor on Saturday, Feb. 14 for a 12: 45 p. m. ET tipoff at Crisler Center. The Wolverines are staging a campus-wide White Out and have urged fans to wear white; the first 5, 000 attendees will receive a white rally towel.
Game day essentials: time, place and atmosphere
The matinee starts at 12: 45 p. m. ET and comes with a charged arena and heightened stakes. Michigan’s promotion for a full-white crowd is designed to amplify home-court advantage for a club enjoying the best start in program history. Expect a boisterous, partisan environment as the Wolverines try to protect home wins late in the conference slate.
Michigan’s season — dominant, deep and consistent
The Wolverines enter the contest riding a nine-game winning streak after rallying from 16 points down to beat Northwestern. Michigan’s 23-1 ledger is the program’s best start ever and features an array of lopsided victories: 19 wins by 10 or more points, 12 by 20+, nine by 30+, seven by 40+ — a conference record — and one by 50+. That margin of dominance reflects both offensive firepower and disruptive defense.
Statistically, Michigan leans on a trio that drives production: Yaxel Lendeborg (14. 3 points, 7. 7 rebounds), Morez Johnson Jr. (13. 5 points, 7. 3 rebounds) and Aday Mara (11. 4 points, 6. 9 rebounds). Lendeborg has been especially active on the glass recently, averaging more than 11 rebounds per game across his last four outings. Playmaking has been steadied by Elliot Cadeau, who has posted six or more assists in six straight games and leads the team at 5. 5 assists per contest. Freshman spark Trey McKenney has emerged off the bench with seven consecutive double-figure scoring games.
The Aday Mara subplot: facing his former team
One of the more compelling narratives for Saturday is Aday Mara’s first return to face his former program. Mara said he’s excited to reconnect with former teammates but insisted the matchup will be treated like any other game. Michigan’s big man has found increased opportunity and responsibility after limited minutes early in his career, and he’s taken advantage of a larger role inside Michigan’s frontcourt rotation.
UCLA’s coach was measured about the matchup, describing it in simple terms and noting the realities of roster movement. When asked about Mara specifically, the coach summed it up as another game and emphasized the broader scouting task of preparing for a deep Michigan roster rather than focusing on one player.
UCLA profile and matchup concerns
The Bruins have won five of their last six games and present a balanced test. They have been formidable at home (14-1) but have struggled on the road (3-6). Michigan’s interior size and depth will test UCLA’s ability to defend the paint and manage second-chance opportunities. Michigan’s defense — able to sustain pressure and physicality through extended rotations — is regarded as one of the team’s strongest assets and could be a deciding factor.
UCLA’s lone recent setback in that stretch was an overtime loss, and the Bruins will be looking to convert that competitive level into a statement performance in a hostile environment.
What to watch: matchups and momentum
Key matchups will include Michigan’s frontcourt handling of UCLA’s interior matchups, Cadeau’s role as primary facilitator against UCLA’s perimeter defenders, and whether Michigan’s bench can continue to provide productive minutes. Special attention will be on Mara when he touches the ball inside — limiting his easy buckets and forcing perimeter shots will be a priority for the visitors.
More broadly, the game will test whether Michigan can sustain its season-long dominance against a capable, resilient opponent traveling cross-country. With conference positioning on the line and a charged home crowd expected, Saturday’s tilt shapes up as an important measuring stick for both teams down the stretch.
