Michigan's high-powered offense was on full display as they took down Washington 82-72 at Alaska Airlines Arena. Aday Mara led the charge with 20 points, pacing the Wolverines to their 19th win of the season. The victory marked a strong performance by Michigan, who never trailed in the second half.
The first half saw Michigan take control early, with the Wolverines building a 39-30 lead by halftime. Washington's JJ Mandaquit kept the Huskies in the game, scoring 15 points to lead his team. However, Michigan's balanced attack proved too much for Washington to handle. Morez Johnson Jr. added 18 points and 16 rebounds for the Wolverines, while Yaxel Lendeborg chipped in with 14 points and 7 rebounds.
In the second half, Michigan continued to pull away, outscoring Washington 43-42. The Huskies' Quimari Peterson and Zoom Diallo tried to keep pace, scoring 13 and 12 points respectively, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Wolverines' strong team effort. Aday Mara's performance was particularly impressive, as he seemed to score at will against the Washington defense.
The win was a significant one for Michigan, as it marked a Quadrant 1 victory on the road. With their net ranking of 3, the Wolverines are solidifying their position as one of the top teams in the country. For Washington, the loss was also a Quadrant 1 game, which could have real consequences for their tournament chances. Despite the loss, the Huskies' net ranking of 60 still leaves them in the mix for a potential postseason bid.
Without a pre-game prediction to compare to, it's clear that Michigan's performance was impressive nonetheless. The Wolverines' ability to win on the road against a decent Washington team is a reflection of their strength and depth. As the season wears on, Michigan want to continue their winning ways and make a deep run in the tournament.
This result has real consequences for both teams' resumes. For Michigan, the win adds to their already impressive collection of victories, making their case for a high seed in the tournament even stronger. For Washington, the loss is a missed opportunity to pick up a signature win, but the fact that it was a Quadrant 1 game means that it won't hurt their chances too much. As the Huskies look to rebound from this loss, they'll need to focus on picking up wins against other tough opponents to bolster their tournament chances.