In their third game without injured star L.J. Cason, No. 3 Michigan leaned on freshman Trey McKenney and Elliot Cadeau to edge Ohio State 71-67, showcasing the depth that could fuel a championship run.
Only Three Games, But a New Reality
CHICAGO — The script for Michigan’s Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal against Ohio State was supposed to be familiar: dominate with L.J. Cason running the show. But with Cason sidelined for the season, the Wolverines had to rewrite it on the fly. In a nail-biter that felt like a playoff game, freshman Trey McKenney and senior Elliot Cadeau authored a new chapter, combining for 27 points and 10 assists to secure a 71-67 victory and a spot in the semifinals.Associated Press
This was only Michigan’s third game since Cason tore his ACL on Feb. 27, a devastating blow to a team that had looked like the nation’s best.Associated Press The Wolverines (30-2) had crushed Ohio State twice in the regular season by a combined 33 points, with Cason playing a key role in both wins. But without him, questions swirled: Could Michigan’s offense function? Who would step up?
McKenney’s Breakout Performance
The answers came early and often from an unlikely source: a 6-foot-4 freshman from Detroit. Trey McKenney exploded out of the gate, burying a jumper and a 3-pointer within the first two minutes, setting the tone for a 20-11 Michigan lead. By halftime, he had 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting, including two threes, and had played 14 minutes of tough, physical defense on Ohio State’s guards.
“He was guarding those guys as well as anyone on the roster,” Michigan coach Dusty May said afterward. “He was physical, disciplined, staying down on shot fakes. He had active hands. Tonight was a real step forward.”
McKenney finished with 12 points in 27 minutes, his most extensive action since a similar 27-minute stint against Penn State. But his impact went beyond scoring: he harassed Ohio State’s backcourt, helping hold the Buckeyes to 37% shooting for the game.
Cadeau’s Clutch Leadership
While McKenney provided the spark, Elliot Cadeau supplied the steady hand. The senior point guard, known more for his playmaking than scoring, embraced the challenge. He finished with 15 points, seven assists, and three steals, matching his season high with 36 minutes played.
Most crucial were his free-throw makes down the stretch. With Michigan clinging to a 60-60 tie and 5:08 left, Cadeau knocked down two clutch foul shots, then fed Morez Johnson Jr. for a layup on the next possession to give the Wolverines a lead they never surrendered.
“My goal before every game is to get a double-double with assists,” Cadeau said. “Just trying to get my teammates involved. I felt like I played good last game. I felt like I had a lot of good assists and I controlled the game last game. I felt it was pretty much even the way I played. I just was more aggressive with my shot this game.”
Cadeau’s aggression was a welcome surprise. In Michigan’s previous meeting with Ohio State on Feb. 8, he had scored just two points with six assists in an 82-61 rout, a result confirmed by the Associated Press.
Surviving an Off Night
Even with Cadeau and McKenney carrying the load, the Wolverines still needed a victory from their star forward Yaxel Lendeborg. But it wasn’t his night: Lendeborg finished with six points on 1-for-4 shooting, his worst performance in weeks.
“It was a very bad day for me, but they stepped up,” Lendeborg admitted. “Those guys were aggressive scorers.”
Michigan’s ability to win when their primary option struggles is a hallmark of a true contender. The Wolverines have multiple scoring threats and a defensive identity that can carry them.
What This Means for Michigan’s Title Hopes
For fans, the emergence of McKenney is particularly exciting. The freshman had been a streaky player, but his performance against Ohio State — especially his defense — suggests he may be ready to lock in a starting role for the postseason run. The “what-if” scenarios about whether Michigan could have been even better with Cason are moot. The team as constituted is still 30-2, and they just survived a tense tournament game without their best player.
The Big Ten is widely considered the nation’s strongest conference, and winning its tournament would be a massive statement for Michigan’s NCAA seeding. A run to the final would cement their status as a Final Four contender, regardless of Cason’s absence.
Dusty May’s message after the game underscored the collective effort: “It’s a new challenge for all the guys to pick up the slack. No one’s going to replace L.J. He’s a different bird, man. He can get to where he wants to. He’s strong enough. … So everyone else just has to be a little bit better in their version of their best version.”
The Next Test: Wisconsin
Michigan faces No. 23 Wisconsin in the semifinals on Saturday. The Badgers present a different challenge, but Michigan’s formula is now clear: with Cason out, the backcourt duties will be split between Cadeau’s veteran poise and McKenney’s youthful energy. That combination has already proven capable of beating a top-25 opponent.
Can they do it again? The answer may determine if Michigan cuts down the nets in Indianapolis.
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