The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1546004
2025-26 YEAR IN REVIEW BEST WINS OF THE YEAR MALE SPORT BEST WIN OF THE YEAR BASKETBALL VS. ARIZONA Michigan's Final Four clash with Arizona was be- ing billed as the "game of the decade," but it was anything but once the ball was tipped off. It's not because both teams weren't great — they were — but the Wolverines were that much better, flexing their muscles at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis to advance to the national title game against UConn. When Trey McKenney hit a three-pointer in the second half, Michigan led by 30 points with just over 10 minutes to go, eventually winning by 18, 91-73. This wasn't against George Mason, VCU or Loyola Chicago — this was Arizona, that Arizona, which was built up as the best team in the country. This was No. 3 versus No. 4 on KenPom all-time, but it looked more like the Wolverines were playing a No. 11 seed with the way they handled the Wildcats from start to finish. It's not as if everything went right for Michigan, either. It had to battle adversity, including graduate forward Yaxel Lendeborg, who became one of mul- tiple key players in early foul trouble and then went down with an injury that severely limited him the rest of the way. Michigan held Arizona to 0.936 points per posses- sion — its worst performance of the season by far. The Wolverines were tremendous on the interior, and that's where Arizona scores. Michigan held the Wildcats to a season-low 37 percent on two-point field goal attempts, Arizona's lowest figure since 2022. Junior center Aday Mara was the player of the game, recording 26 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists. FEMALE SPORT BEST WIN OF THE YEAR LACROSSE VS. MARYLAND Michigan didn't just beat Maryland, it marked the Wolverines' first-ever victory over the Terrapins, who have won an NCAA-record 15 national championships. It came in blowout fashion, too, a 15-4 no-doubter. That was Michigan's second- largest margin of victory in the Big Ten season. Maryland was ranked No. 3, making the win the Wolverines' first-ever downing of a top-three team. Michigan pushed the lead to a running clock in the fourth quarter and held Maryland scoreless in the stanza. Six Wolverines produced multi-point outings, with junior Emma Bradbury lead- ing the offense with 6 points (4 goals, 2 assists). Graduate Ava Class and senior Calli Norris, meanwhile, each notched hat tricks with 1 assist. Michigan's men's basketball team led by 30 points with just over 10 minutes to go, eventually winning 91-73 over Arizona in the Final Four. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN PHOTOGRAPHY The Michigan women's lacrosse team upset No. 3 Maryland in dominant fashion with a 15-4 victory in April at U-M Lacrosse Stadium. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN PHOTOGRAPHY 38 THE WOLVERINE ❱ AUGUST 2026