Michigan detonates second half, blasts Maryland 101 to 83 to stay perfect
Michigan walked into College Park and walked out with a message. The No. 2 Wolverines shredded Maryland 101 to 83 on Saturday night, using a ruthless second half to stay unbeaten at 10 to 0. The building shook early, then Michigan took the air out of it with a 20 minute clinic. I watched a contender tighten the screws, then finish the job.
How the game flipped
The first half was hot. Maryland punched first behind Diggy Coit’s fearless shot making. He poured in 31 and kept the Terps ahead of the pace. Then the hinge moments hit. Forward Pharrel Payne went down with a leg injury late in the half. Early in the second, Solomon Washington was ejected. Maryland’s front line broke apart, and the rhythm went with it.
Michigan smelled it. The Wolverines flattened Maryland’s ball screens, turned stops into sprints, and spread the floor. Yaxel Lendeborg owned the paint, rolling hard and running the floor. He finished with 29. He also changed the game with pressure on the rim and quick reads. The Terps could not match the size, speed, or depth when it mattered.
Final score: Michigan 101, Maryland 83. Records, Michigan 10 to 0, Maryland 6 to 5, 0 to 2 in the Big Ten.
Stars and matchups
Coit was brilliant. He hit off the bounce, off movement, and from deep. He kept Maryland alive as long as he could. What changed was Michigan’s coverage. The Wolverines chased him over the top, sent a second body at the nail, and forced the ball to others. Once the passes started to weaker spots, the math turned.
At the other end, Lendeborg was the anchor, but the support was loud. Michigan’s wings cut with purpose. The guards kept the paint engaged, then kicked to shooters. It was simple, clean basketball. The kind that travels. The bench minutes mattered too. When Maryland’s rotation got thin, Michigan’s stayed fresh and sharp.
Michigan’s title profile hardens
Road wins inside the league test your soul. Saturday showed poise, fitness, and layers of offense. The Wolverines did not chase hero shots. They trusted their plan, then turned a close game into a runaway. That is how top seeds act in December.
Why Michigan looks like a title team:
- Multiple scorers can carry a half
- Defensive adjustments hit fast and stick
- Transition game changes pace without turnovers
- Bench pieces keep the level high
Michigan’s spacing is the quiet star. Corners stayed occupied, which opened Lendeborg’s rolls and back cuts all night.
Maryland’s hard lessons and urgent fixes
The Terps had the right energy. The Xfinity Center crowd was loud. Coit was cooking. Then came the two blows, Payne’s injury and Washington’s ejection. The defense lost its edge at the rim. The glass tilted to Michigan. The offense lost its balance, and possessions got rushed.
Now comes the lift. Maryland is 0 to 2 in league play. Health and discipline have to tighten. The staff needs a frontcourt answer, even if temporary, to protect the lane and finish plays. Coit can win you nights, but March hopes need stops and rebounds too. The schedule will not wait, and the Big Ten is unforgiving.
Payne’s leg injury will be monitored. Washington’s ejection hurt the rotation and cannot become a theme. Maryland needs both presence and poise.
The scene and the stakes
This was a national window, high speed, big stakes, and a proud building trying to spring an upset. Michigan leaned into the noise and silenced it. That travels. That matters in February and beyond. For Maryland, the crowd showed up. The effort did too. The details did not. Clean those up, and the Terps can still write a good chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the final score?
A: Michigan beat Maryland 101 to 83.
Q: Who were the top scorers?
A: Diggy Coit scored 31 for Maryland. Yaxel Lendeborg had 29 for Michigan.
Q: What was the turning point?
A: Late first half and early second half. Payne’s leg injury and Washington’s ejection, paired with Michigan’s defensive shift, swung control.
Q: How does this affect the standings?
A: Michigan moves to 10 to 0 and strengthens its top tier case. Maryland drops to 6 to 5 and 0 to 2 in the Big Ten.
Q: What is the status of Pharrel Payne?
A: He left with a leg injury. The team will evaluate him further.
Conclusion
Michigan brought a grown up road win to College Park. The Wolverines absorbed Maryland’s best shot, then answered with precision and power. If you were asking whether this team has national title gear, tonight was a clear yes. For Maryland, the path forward is focus, health, and control. The season is long, but the fixes cannot wait. 🏀
