Michigan basketball has won a lot in the 2025-26 season. The Wolverines have even pulled off some historic achievements, yet they haven't been ranked No. 1, at least not in the AP Poll.
Michigan has been No. 1 according to the NET rankings, the Kenpom rankings, and the Coaches Poll. Yet, the AP No. 1 ranking has eluded them, which could change with a 2-0 record this week (at Northwestern; vs UCLA) after Arizona dropped a game to Kansas on Monday night.
The Wolverines are 22-1. They are 12-1 in the Big Ten and in the driver's seat to win the regular-season title. Looking at their resume, here's how Michigan basketball has gotten to the brink of being the consensus No. 1 team from a statistical perspective (on the court).
Elite defense
Michigan is the No. 1-ranked defense via Kenpom. The Wolverines allow just 0.92 points per possession (4th fewest in CBB). U-M also ranks second in defensive field-goal percentage (36.9) and 2-point percentage defense (42.9). Teams are also shooting just 29.3 percent from 3-point range (16th), so the Wolverines are good at forcing long shots and misses.
According to a new metric tracked by Kenpom, Michigan has the second farthest average distance on opponent shot attempts, which relects its elite rim protection.
That's just one reason why Michigan basketball is one of the betting favorites to win the national title, and poised to take over as No. 1.
Rebounding
Defense and rebounding. Those are the kinds that championship teams do well in basketball. We have already talked about the Michigan basketball defense.
However, the Wolverines are also elite on the boards. Michigan is ranked fourth in defensive rebounds per game (30.4). They are 8th in total rebounds (41.8), while also ranking seventh in terms of offensive rebounding percentage (7th).
3-point shooting
Michigan isn't an "elite" 3-point shooting team. It has the potential to be, and we have seen the Wolverines knock down double digit treys in most of its lopsided wins.
The Wolverines rank in the top 100 of college basketball teams in 3-point makes (9.4, 66th), 3-point percentage (35.8, 78th), and attempts (26.3, 82nd).
When you combine that with an offense that ranks first in 2-point shooting percentage (61.1), and overall field-goal percentage (50.1), you can make the argument that Michigan's offense is almost as good as the defense.
Michigan basketball has the fifth-best offense via KenPom, and the ability to hit 3s consistently, which wasn't consistent last season, ranking outside the top 100 in all of those categories, has been a difference-maker.