michigan vs purdue: No. 1 Michigan Reaffirms Top Spot with 91-80 Win at Mackey Arena
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The defending top-ranked team answered a tough test on the road Tuesday, Feb. 17 (6: 30 p. m. ET tipoff), taking down No. 7 Purdue 91-80 at Mackey Arena. Michigan led for the final 33 minutes and built a first-half advantage as large as 20 points, using size in the paint and hot perimeter shooting to control the game and protect its No. 1 ranking.
Mara’s early impact and Michigan’s interior advantage
Michigan’s size was the decisive factor early. Seven-foot-three center Aday Mara dominated the paint in the first half, finishing that frame with 10 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two blocks in only 13 minutes before foul trouble limited his second-half minutes. A run sparked by Mara shifted momentum — he altered shots at the rim, set up teammates with timely passes, and chased down tip-outs that turned into easy looks. That stretch helped trigger a 16-0 Michigan run that quieted a raucous home crowd.
Purdue tried to match up one-on-one but found it difficult to both contain Mara and stay disciplined on the perimeter. The Boilermakers were pushed into guarding the passing lanes, and when help defense arrived it led to open jumpers for Michigan. The early board advantage became a recurring theme; Michigan outscored Purdue on second-chance opportunities and consistently converted extra possessions into points.
Perimeter shooting and balanced offense
Beyond the paint, Michigan’s perimeter stroke put the game away. The Wolverines hit 13 of 23 from three-point range, their second-best long-range night of the season. After missing their first four attempts from deep, they closed the first half strong by sinking eight of the next 12, which widened the gap heading into intermission.
Guard play also mattered. Elliot Cadeau paced Michigan with 17 points, four rebounds and seven assists, using ball pressure and smart drives to collapse Purdue’s defense and kick out for open triples. Coach Dusty May praised the team’s ability to answer runs and sustain multiple attacking looks, noting the collective contributions from starters and role players alike.
Purdue’s second-half rally fell short
Purdue did not go quietly. Trey Kaufman-Renn led the Boilers with 27 points and 12 rebounds, and Braden Smith mounted a 20-point surge in the second half after a quiet opening 20 minutes. The hosts avoided long droughts after halftime and collected some momentum, but Michigan’s cushion proved too deep to overcome.
Several factors worked against Purdue: missed layups in the first half, an inability to create consistent lob or pick-and-roll finishes early, and Michigan’s domination on the offensive glass. The crowd tried to mount a push late, but Michigan’s mixture of interior defense and spacing on offense kept the Boilermakers from stringing together a decisive run.
Standings and what’s next
The win moves Michigan to 25-1 overall and 15-1 in conference play, with just a handful of regular-season games remaining. Purdue falls to 21-5 and 11-4. The victory not only preserved the Wolverines’ top ranking but also underlined their versatility: dominant at the rim at times, deadly from distance at others, and resilient across the bench.
Michigan now turns its attention to the next big test on the schedule later this week, carrying confidence from a road statement win. Purdue will regroup and focus on seeding and execution as it eyes the postseason.
