Michigan Eyes No. 1 Ranking After 86-56 Win Over UCLA

Michigan moved one step closer to claiming the top spot in the AP Top 25 with a dominant 86-56 win over UCLA on Saturday, powered by Yaxel Lendeborg’s 17 points and eight rebounds.

The Wolverines (24-1, 14-1 Big Ten) have now won 10 straight games and could be ranked No. 1 for the first time since Jan. 28, 2013, after No. 1 Arizona fell to No. 9 Kansas earlier in the week. Michigan’s performance reflects the depth and talent coach Dusty May has cultivated through the transfer portal, a sharp turnaround from just two years ago when the program lost a school-record 24 games in Juwan Howard’s final season.

Michigan turned a closely contested first half into a rout with a nine-shot streak early in the second half, including two key three pointers from Lendeborg. Morez Johnson added 15 points, LJ Cason scored 13, Nimari Burnett contributed 12, and Aday Mara finished with nine points, eight rebounds and three blocks against his former team.

UCLA (17-8, 9-5) kept the game close in the first half. Trent Perry scored 11 of his 14 points and Tyler Bilodeau added 10 during the opening 20 minutes, keeping the Bruins within two points at the half before Michigan pulled away.

The Wolverines’ defense held UCLA to just 56 points, while Michigan’s balanced scoring and size advantage created multiple mismatches inside and on the perimeter. This performance continues a record-setting season for Michigan, as the team seeks its first No. 1 ranking in a decade while aiming for a deep postseason run.

Michigan faces No. 13 Purdue on Tuesday in a Big Ten matchup that could solidify their position at the top. UCLA visits No. 10 Michigan State on the same night, looking to rebound from consecutive losses.