Why Is Michigan Basketball Unable to Break Free from the No. 2 Spot in Coaches Poll?

Michigan’s basketball squad just wrapped up a week for the ages – marquee victories over top-10 opponents, relentless resilience, and a performance that would make any fan’s heart race. Yet, despite this electric spell, the Wolverines find themselves perched firmly at No. 2 in the coaches poll, trailing an undefeated Arizona squad that’s commanding attention nationwide. At 20-1 overall and cruising with a 10-1 Big Ten record, Michigan is not just participating; they’re rewriting their own record books with the best start through 21 games in program history. The recent hustles – from clawing back against Nebraska to breaking an eight-year drought at East Lansing – underscore a juggernaut in the making, nuanced by strong individual showings and a balanced team attack that refuses to quit. Still, the journey ahead remains fierce, with crucial conference clashes looming that will determine if they stay on top of their Big Ten aspirations and solidify their place in March Madness seeding discussions. It’s a compelling narrative of grit, ambition, and the chase for that elusive No. 1 ranking. LEARN MORE

Michigan basketball’s epic week was not quite enough to claim the No. 1 spot in the rankings.

The Wolverines (20-1, 10-1 Big Ten) are tied for their best start in program history through 21 games, yet again come in at No. 2 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll for the week of Feb. 2. The ranking is understandable − No. 1 Arizona (22-0) is one of two teams in Division I without a loss, along with Miami (Ohio) − and takes nothing away from the season coach Dusty May’s squad is putting together.

A “monster week” included wins over then-No. 5 Nebraska and then-No. 8 Michigan State in four days time. Michigan started by beating the Huskers, 75-72, at home, despite being down by as much as 11 points, but rallied late with a 10-2 run over the closing stretch, capped off by a Trey McKenney go-ahead floater with 1:07 remaining.

Morez Johnson Jr. was sensational with 17 points and 12 rebounds, while Michigan had its usual balanced attack with six other players scoring somewhere between seven and 11 points. After allowing 50 points in the first half, Michigan ratcheted up the defense and held the potent Huskers to 22 points over the final 20 minutes.

But the highlight of the week came Friday, when Michigan snapped an eight-year skid in East Lansing, winning at Breslin Center, 83-71, over rival Michigan State behind 26 points and 12 rebounds from Yaxel Lendeborg.

Elliot Cadeau was also sensational. He hit a key hook shot in the lane, threw a back-breaking alley-oop to Johnson and then hit a 3-pointer to go up 69-63 with 3:05 to play, and MSU never crept within one possession again.

Michigan basketball schedule this week

While the games aren’t as notable on the schedule, Michigan has two more Big Ten games it must grab this week in order to remain in control of its Big Ten destiny. First, it is hosting Penn State on Thursday (6:30 p.m., FS1), before traveling to Columbus for its second of two rivalry games with Ohio State on Sunday (1 p.m., CBS).

Michigan fell out of the top spot in the coaches poll with its loss to Wisconsin last month, but has since won six consecutive games, five by double figures, and are firmly on the one-seed line in bracketology projections.

Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan basketball stuck at No. 2 in college basketball rankings