All square at 50, Michigan basketball went into warp speed to lay waste to its bitter rival on a frigid winter night outside the Crisler Center. A 24-12 run sent the Buckeyes packing to Columbus with a tough pill to digest. Here are three of the takeaways from Michigan's treasured night and a 74-62 win, filled with many fond memories of Trey Burke's past.
Former Buckeye Roddy Gayle Jr. outscored Ohio State's bench by a point
Once a Buckeye and now a Wolverine, Roddy Gayle Jr. has not lost to the Buckeyes since transferring up north. On Friday he only had five points, but that was one more then the Buckeye bench managed to compile all night. This was the type of game that Ohio State could have used Gayle's talents in the scarlet and grey lineup, but he chose the the side who has now won five out of the last six meetings. In fact Gayle has been apart of 45 wins since leaving Columbus, while Jake Diebler's Buckeyes are 15 behind in that column.
62 is a season-low point total for the scarlet and grey
Despite John Mobley Jr.'s 22, Ohio State's leading scorer, Bruce Thorton was held to 10 points below his average. That's a result of Dusty May putting Yaxel Lendeborg on him. Sophomore Colin White, who was out for "blood," provided two of those bench points and is winless against Michigan in his career. Michigan's defense stole the ball 10 times and blocked six Buckeye shots. Aday Mara sent four of them packing and leads the Big Ten in that category.
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— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) January 24, 2026
Trey Burke’s jersey retirement speech for @umichbball was one to remember. pic.twitter.com/axHixKqAyA
Because of Trey Burke and others, Michigan basketball is thriving
Guys like John Beilein, Manny Harris, DeShawn Sims, Darius Morris, Zack Novak, Stu Douglass, Nik Stauskas, Glenn Robinson Jr., Mitch McGary, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Spike Albrecht are reasons why Trey Burke's jersey was retired into the rafters on Friday. It's not only just them either, but many others that are responsible for the current state of the program. They are in the midst of one of the most grueling stretches of the season and are genuinely worthy of the support.