Michigan Triumphs in Emotional Clash Against Badgers!

Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg (23) dunks against Wisconsin during the second half of Big Ten Tournament semifinal at United Center in Chicago on Saturday, March 14, 2026. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images The Michigan Wolverines beat the Wisconsin Badgers, 68-65, in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals on Saturday afternoon in Chicago. Michigan improved to 31-2 overall and will take on the winner of Purdue vs UCLA on Sunday afternoon in the championship.

Here are five takeaways from the game. Elliot Cadeau’s early foul trouble forced the offense out of rhythm, but he made up for it in second half The Wolverines have not had many major areas of weakness all season, but one that has come up time and time again in recent weeks has been guys getting in early foul trouble. On Friday, it was Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr.

that had to sit with two fouls in the first half. On Saturday, it was Elliot Cadeau, who picked up his second foul at the 11:38 mark of the first half. Forced to sit for the rest of the half, head coach Dusty May hoped his depth would make up for his absence, but the opposite occurred.

Without a true lead ball-handler, the Wolverines committed six turnovers in the final 10 minutes of the half, missed eight straight attempts from three and let Wisconsin jump out to an eight-point lead before eventually tying it at the break. Cadeau got back in the game to begin the second half and made a huge impact. He finished with 15 points and four rebounds, proving even more that his impact cannot be diminished by his own mistakes.