What happens in Las Vegas stays in the polls, apparently, as Michigan basketball is on the rise yet again.
The Wolverines came in at No. 2 in the latest USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll on Monday, Dec. 1. This is the first time the program has been in the top four since the 2020-21 season, and first time in the top two since it lost in the 2018 NCAA championship game.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMichigan (7-0) remains undefeated and is one of seven undefeated teams in the Big Ten. Its first conference game is Saturday (4 p.m., Big Ten Network) against Rutgers.
The Big Ten appears to be the best in the nation this year with No. 1 Purdue (7-0) and No. 8 Michigan State (7-0).
Arizona (7-0) is ranked No. 3, Duke (8-0) is No. 4 and UConn (6-1) is No. 5.
Michigan Wolverines forward Yaxel Lendeborg (23) reacts after a shot by guard Elliot Cadeau (3) in the first half against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the 2025 Players Era Festival championship game at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025.RISING TIDE: Michigan Wolverines fans have a lot to be thankful for in 2025
Coach Dusty May's crew has an argument to be in the top spot, as perhaps no team has looked more impressive this season. There were tight wins against Wake Forest (by one point in overtime) and TCU (by four points), but considering the Horned Frogs just knocked off a previously top-10 Florida squad, even that has already aged well.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Demon Deacons (6-2), meanwhile, only have one other loss – to ranked Texas Tech, also by one point.
More recently, Michigan has looked like a juggernaut. U-M won the Players Era Festival title last week in Vegas, pummeling San Diego State (by 40), Auburn (by 30) and Gonzaga (by 40) on consecutive nights. In the process, U-M became the first program in the poll era (dating back to the 1948-49season) to pull off back-to-back 30-point wins over ranked teams.
The analytics love the Wolverines, too, as they're ranked No. 1 overall in KenPom thanks to the No. 1 defense (87.3 points allowed per 100 possessions) – nearly four points better than No. 2 Houston (91.2). The offense isn't far behind at No. 11 (122.4), which is just half a point outside of a top-seven spot.
The Wolverines enter Big Ten play with five players scoring double figures – Yaxel Lendeborg (16 points per fame), Morez Johnson Jr. (13.1), Roddy Gayle Jr. (11.3), Trey McKenney (11) and Aday Mara (10.1) – and another just off the mark, in Nimari Burnett (9.9).
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementU-M has dominated around the rim, ranking No. 6 in 2-point shooting percentage allowed (63.9%) and No. 1 on 3-point shooting percentage allowed (36.9%). The Wolverines have a slow week coming, with no games until Saturday. Next week, however, will present challenges, with a visit from Villanova (Dec. 9) and a trip to Maryland (Dec. 13).
Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan basketball ranked No. 2 for first time since 2018, MSU top 10
AdvertisementAdvertisement
