As Jim Harbaugh once said, there is nothing better than signing the victors in Columbus. That's what Michigan basketball got to do on Sunday following the 82-61 win over the Buckeyes.
After a slight dip in play, Michigan has covered the spread in three straight games, including rivalry wins over Ohio State and Michigan State within the span of nine days.
Dusty May is now 4-2 in rivalry games as the head coach of Michigan basketball. His star pupil, Yaxel Lendeborg, has an even better record.
The projected NBA draft pick is playing in his first season in Ann Arbor. So far, he's 3-0 combined against Michigan State and Ohio State. Yaxel has played a starring role, too, averaging 19.3 points per game and 11.6 rebounds. He also shot 51.4 percent from the field in those three games, and played exceptional defense.
Yaxel Lendeborg talks smack about Ohio State after he walks the walks
After Sunday's win, which was as drama-free as could be expected on the road in a rivalry, Lendeborg didn't hold back with his comments on Ohio State.
Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg on Ohio State:
— Blake T. Biscardi (@BlakeBiscardi) February 8, 2026
🗣️ “They’re a good team but they don’t belong in the same conversation as us.”
Michigan beat Ohio State 82-61. pic.twitter.com/s9Rd7RlPpe
“They’re a good team but they don’t belong in the same conversation as us," Yaxel said via Blake T. Biscardi.
Ohio State fans won't like it, but he's right. Michigan basketball is on a different level. The Wolverines defeated the Buckeyes in two games by an average of 16.5 points. U-M rebounded over 40 percent of its misses in both games, dominated in the paint, and hit 10 3-pointers on Saturday.
The Buckeyes are a team firmly on the bubble. Michigan is a national championship contender. Opposing fans might not like what Lendeborg said, yet that doesn't mean it's not true.