michigan vs purdue — Top-ranked Wolverines reaffirm No. 1 with 91-80 road win
Michigan traveled to Mackey Arena and left with a statement: a comprehensive 91-80 victory over No. 7 Purdue on Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 6: 30 p. m. ET. The win extended Michigan's dominance in conference play and underlined the roster depth that has pushed the program to the top of the polls for the first time since the 2012-13 season.
How the game unfolded
Purdue struck first with the opening baskets, but Michigan seized control with a decisive stretch late in the first half. L. J. Cason's free throws with 12: 50 remaining began a 16-0 run that swung momentum firmly to the Wolverines and silenced a raucous Mackey crowd. Michigan led for the final 33 minutes, growing the advantage to as many as 20 points before Purdue fought back in the second half.
The Wolverines finished with 91 points, their efficient offense combining size in the paint with hot perimeter shooting. Even as Purdue tried to claw back, Michigan's lead never evaporated, and the visitors left West Lafayette with a signature road win that preserved their spot atop the rankings.
Mara, Cadeau and the perimeter attack fuel Michigan
Michigan's size created matchup problems all night. Seven-foot-three center Aday Mara was a first-half force, finishing that frame with 10 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two blocks in just 13 minutes before foul trouble limited his second-half minutes. Mara's presence anchored the paint, altering shots, sparking second-chance possessions and creating driving lanes for guards.
Elliot Cadeau paced the backcourt with 17 points, along with four rebounds and seven assists, while role players stepped up at crucial moments. After missing their first four 3-pointers, the Wolverines closed the first half by hitting eight of 12 from beyond the arc and finished 13-for-23 from long range — their second-best 3-point showing of the season. Michigan's balanced attack and ability to respond to runs drew praise from the coaching staff: "We needed to deliver a lot of punches, whether it was the first or second, " Michigan's coach said. "We knew this was going to go all 10 [rounds]. If we took a shot, we knew we had to respond and our guys did that over the course of the game. "
Purdue's response and implications for both teams
Purdue got a standout performance from Trey Kaufman-Renn, who finished with 27 points and 12 rebounds, and Braden Smith mounted a second-half surge, scoring 20 after a quiet first half. Still, the Boilermakers were hampered by missed close looks and trouble containing Michigan on the offensive glass in the opening period. Michigan outscored Purdue 14-4 on offensive rebounds in the first half, turning extra possessions into a sizable halftime edge.
The loss leaves Purdue with work to do in the conference race: still in it mathematically, the Boilermakers are now more likely focused on seeding for the NCAA tournament than a league title. For Michigan, the victory is validation of a season built on frontcourt size, unselfish passing and a deep rotation that can deliver contributions from many players on any given night. The road win in West Lafayette adds momentum as the Wolverines head into the next stretch of their schedule with top billing and growing expectations.
