Wolverine Legends Defeat Spartans 105-72 in Final Four Slam!

Mar 15, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Elliot Cadeau (3) attempts a three point basket as Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3) defends during the second half during the men's Big Ten Conference Tournament Championship at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images | Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images The Michigan Wolverines failed to win back-to-back Big Ten Tournaments, losing to the Purdue Boilermakers on Sunday, 80-72. The Wolverines were outplayed in the second half, giving up 40 points in the paint and letting Purdue’s front court combine for 39 points.

Here’s how it all went down. FIRST HALF The two powerhouse programs were throwing blow after blow in the first half, with neither team allowing the other to pull away. Michigan saw instant production from Nimari Burnett, who buried two threes to start the game, while Purdue’s C.

J. Cox, Fletcher Loyer and Oscar Cluff all got inside for three straight buckets in the paint to take an early 7-6 lead. The tight scoring continued throughout the next four minutes as Cluff added four more for the Boilers, while Big Ten Player of the Year Yaxel Lendeborg got on the board for five consecutive points to give the Wolverines a slight 13-11 lead.

Michigan then proceeded to go on a three-and-a-half minute scoring drought, and Purdue leading scorer Trey Kaufman-Renn answered with four points to retake the lead. Hoping for some juice, Wolverines’ head coach Dusty May checked Will Tschetter into the game. While Tschetter had been very quiet offensively in the Big Ten Tournament, his defense has been a big advantage off the bench, and he made an immediate impact, drawing four quick fouls, two each on Cluff and Kaufman-Renn.