Wolverines Dominate Rutgers in Big Ten Opener, Cruise to 100-59 Victory
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The University of Michigan men’s basketball team emphatically opened its Big Ten schedule with a resounding 100-59 victory over Rutgers on Saturday at Crisler Center.The Wolverines (8-0, 1-0 Big Ten) showcased a dominant performance on both ends of the court, fueled by a potent inside game and stifling defence.
Michigan’s size proved overwhelming, amassing 52 points in the paint – a new season high – and building a commanding 25-point halftime lead. The Wolverines continued to pour it on in the second half,sinking seven of their first ten three-pointers and ultimately outscoring Rutgers 52-34. This marks the fourth-largest margin of victory against a Big Ten team in program history and the second-largest win against a conference foe at home.
hunter Dickinson led all scorers with a game-high 23 points, while Jace Howard added 16 and Olivier Lendeborg contributed 13. Roddy Gayle Jr. reached double figures for the 25th time in his career, finishing with 11 points, and Elliot Cadeau chipped in with 11 points and nine assists.Trey McKenney paced the Michigan bench with 13 points.
U-M’s bench proved crucial, contributing 32 second-half points. Winters Grady was perfect from deep,adding a career-high six points,and Oscar Goodman dished out a personal-best two assists with three rebounds and two points. Nimari Burnett scored the team’s first basket not scored in the paint or at the free-throw line with a three-pointer 12 minutes into the game.
rutgers (5-5, 0-2 Big Ten) struggled to find offensive rhythm, shooting just 20 percent from three and committing 10 first-half turnovers. They were held to a season-low 25 points in the first half by Michigan’s swarming defense.
Michigan will continue its homestand, hosting Villanova at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 9, with the game broadcast live on FS1.
Notes:
* Michigan is now 64-45 all-time in Big Ten openers, including a 37-21 record at home, and has won 11 of its last 13.
* The last time Michigan scored 100 points against a Big Ten opponent at home was on December 6,2019,in a 103-91 win over Iowa.
* Johnson and Lendeborg have now totaled double digits in seven of eight games this season.
