Arguably the best point guard to wear a Michigan basketball jersey was on hand for the latest stellar performance from Dusty May’s group.
Trey Burke’s jersey rose to the Crisler Center rafters during halftime of U-M’s 74-62 victory over Ohio State on Friday, Jan. 23, during a ceremony in which he thanked the crowd for turning a Columbus boy into an Ann Arbor man. After the contest, he took over the mic and shared the same message he’d just told players on the court with the fans who stayed.
Advertisement
“National championship or bust,” he said. “This group can do that.”
Trey Burke and former Michigan head coach John Beilein pose for a photo during his jersey retirement ceremony at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026.
Earlier Friday, arguably the greatest Michigan basketball coach of all-time – certainly the winningest – in John Beilein, detailed what he felt was the common thread of the two teams he led in Ann Arbor to national title games.
Elite guard play.
This season’s iteration of the Wolverines has been defined by its bigs, and they starred on Friday. Yaxel Lendeborg, in his best game in weeks, put up 18 points and nine rebounds. Morez Johnson Jr. delivered one a quiet 12-point, seven-rebound performances – though his alley-oop slam that gave Michigan a 52-50 lead it wouldn’t relinquish was mighty loud on its own. Aday Mara was an eraser at the rim and made timely plays – and, for once, free throws – as he finished with 11 points, six boards, four blocks and a pair of steals.
Advertisement
But when it was winning time, as the second half reached its key moment, it was a pair of guards who rose above for U-M.
Elliott Cadeau and Trey McKenney combined for 11 points during a 19-5 Michigan run that turned a one-point contest into a 15-point lead in just 4:35 of court time. Neither’s stat line was flashy: McKenney scored 12 points and Cadeau had six points and eight assists.
But each played their best in the second half during winning time.
“I think our guard play has to be exceptional; [Beilein] is right,” May said. “If Elliot and L.J. [Cason] and Trey and Roddy [Gayle Jr.] and Nimari [Burnett] don’t play well, we’re not going to be a national title contender.”
Advertisement
‘He’s such a pest’
Cadeau sputtered in the first half – a pair of early fouls, three assists and two turnovers – as Michigan had a tough time with its zone offense, for a 33-30 lead at the break. McKenney had three assists and three rebounds.
But when Michigan trailed 40-34 – its largest deficit against Ohio State – they showed up. McKenney made a pair of free throws and Cadeau forced a turnover at midcourt (as part of a full-court press) and threw a feed to Lendeborg to knot the game at 40.
Michigan guard Elliot Cadeau (3) dribbles against Ohio State forward Devin Royal (21) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026.
McKenney capped off an 11-0 spurt with a layup through contact for a three-point play, sending the sellout crowd to its feet. After OSU retook the lead, Gayle grabbed an offensive rebound for a putback, and Cason slashed through the paint for a left-handed finger roll.
Advertisement
After OSU knotted it again at 50, Cadeau threw a lob to Johnson for a slam. Then, the current No. 3’s 3-pointer, for U-M’s next bucket, sent another jolt through the crowd – almost as large as the one on his 3 from the same spot a minute later.
It came as little surprise to Lendeborg who said Cadeau has been carrying the Wolverines.
May concurred.
“It just felt like that allowed us to continue the momentum that we were building,” May said. “We trust him as a shooter, trust him as a floor general, and then defensively, he’s such a pest. I mean, he plays with discipline. He’s as impactful as any guard in our conference.”
Advertisement
‘BEST I EVER PLAYED WITH’: Trey Burke immortalized by Michigan
Michigan fans cheer on against the Ohio State before tip-off at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026.
History in the making?
This is the second time in four seasons Burke has returned to Crisler Center.
In February 2023, he returned, along with Beilein and numerous other players, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Michigan’s 2013 national runner-up squad.
This Michigan team could return a decade from now for a similar celebration. The No. 2 Wolverines (18-1, 8-1 Big Ten) are No. 1 in most advanced metrics and just half a game out of the Big Ten lead. The team ahead of them, unbeaten No. 7 Nebraska, is set to come to Ann Arbor on Tuesday (7 p.m., Peacock).
Advertisement
But ahead of that, the current Wolverines heard Burke’s message and know a special season is brewing.
“I mean, that’s definitely the motto for us,” McKenney said. “That’s what we came in this summer thinking and working towards every day. So I mean I would definitely agree.”
May was asked how much he can appreciate something like this happening in the moment. He shied away from the question before detailing what awaits in what he calls a “monster” week – Nebraska is followed by a road clash at two-loss No. 10 Michigan State on Jan. 30.
Roddy Gayle Jr. of the Michigan Wolverines goes for a slam dunk during the first half against Ohio State Buckeyes as Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. at Crisler Arena on January 23, 2026 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Jaime Crawford/Getty Images)
“I think as a coach, you savor those things later,” he said.
“Later” will come all too soon, especially if the Wolverines falter in March Madness. Nothing is destined.
Advertisement
It will take the same work, if not more, than it has through these 19 games.
Burke didn’t win it all, though he was as close as it gets without having done so. Same with Beilein, twice over.
Former Wolverine Trey Burke hugs Michigan coach Dusty May following the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes as Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026.
Both say this team has the goods. That’s certainly true if the guard go from good to great.
“I don’t take those words lightly,” Lendeborg said. “I want to fulfill what [Burke] said.”
Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan basketball guards hold key to potentially historic season