It’s not just a tournament game for Michigan basketball – it’s an opportunity for revenge.
Top-seeded Michigan is facing the No. 5-seed Wisconsin Badgers in the semifinals of the 2026 Big Ten Basketball Tournament on Saturday, March 14, at United Center in Chicago. The game tipped off at 1 p.m. ET and can be watched on CBS, with streaming available on Fubo.
It’s been a slog for both teams offensively so far, with the game tied 28-28 at the half.
The winner of this game will advance to the Big Ten final on Sunday, March 15. Michigan, already a virtual lock for a 1-seed in the NCAA Tournament, is looking to win its second straight conference tournament title.
But first, it has to face a Wisconsin team the Wolverines have yet to beat this season.
Watch Big Ten Tournament on Fubo
Michigan’s only Big Ten loss this season was to the Badgers on Jan. 10, a 91-88 defeat at Crisler Center. Wisconsin hit 15 3-pointers in Ann Arbor, stretching Michigan’s interior defense out to the perimeter and scoring 54 points in the second half. It was also Michigan’s only home loss of the season.
Wisconsin has since continued to impress, knocking out 4-seed Illinois, 91-88 in overtime, on Friday to advance to the semis. Earlier in the day, the Wolverines weathered a scare against 8-seed Ohio State, squeaking out a 71-67 win.
We’ll have live updates and highlights from the semifinal game right here.
Michigan basketball live updates vs Wisconsin
Michigan beats Wisconsin on Yaxel Lendeborg game-winning 3-pointer
FINAL: Michigan 68, Wisconsin 65.
The Big Ten Player of the Year hit the biggest shot of the season for Michigan.
Lendeborg’s 3-pointer with less than a second left sealed Michigan’s 68-65 win, and the Wolverines advance to Sunday’s final.
Yaxel Lendeborg hits biggest shot of the year
2H, 0:00.4: Michigan 68, Wisconsin 65.
Right out of the timeout, Wisconsin guard Nick Boyd hit a tough 3-pointer to re-tie the game for Wisconsin. Holding for the final shot, Michigan big man Yaxel Lendeborg scored the go-ahead 3-pointer with less than a second left.
We’re tenths of a second away from a Michigan win.
Elliot Cadeau hits 3-pointer to give Michigan lead
2H, 0:45: Michigan 65, Wisconsin 62.
Michigan center Aday Mara backed down his defender and made the game-tying layup with 1:30 left in the game. Michigan point guard Elliot Cadeau missed a 3-pointer, but big man Yaxel Lendeborg’s offensive rebound gave Cadeau another opportunity from even deeper, which he hit thanks to a beneficial bounce off the rim, giving Michigan the lead with less than a minute to play.
Austin Rapp can’t stop hitting 3s
2H, 2:58: Wisconsin 62, Michigan 60.
A fifth-consecutive 3-pointer from Wisconsin guard Austin Rapp allowed Wisconsin to take a 59-58 lead. A sixth-consecutive 3-pointer game Wisconsin a 62-58 lead.
Michigan center Aday Mara nailed the midrange jumper to bring Michigan to within two points, but an offensive foul on Morez Johnson Jr. gives the ball back to Wisconsin after the break.
But the story of the game so far is Rapp. Our Michigan insider Tony Garcia is all of us right now.
Austin Rapp catalyzes Wisconsin comeback
2H, 5:29: Michigan 56, Wisconsin 56.
Back-to-back 3-pointers from Wisconsin shooters Austin Rapp and Braeden Carrington brought the Badgers to within nine points of Michigan. Nick Boyd’s floater extended an 8-0 run for the Badgers, which Michigan guard Elliot Cadeau snapped with a layup.
Rapp’s second 3-pointer of the half then cut the Michigan lead to six points, while his third 3-pointer one possession later cut it to three points. And would you believe it, Rapp’s fourth 3-pointer came one possession after that to tie the game for the Badgers.
It could be a game-changing heat check for Wisconsin.
Michigan spreading the offensive wealth
2H, 10:39: Michigan 50, Wisconsin 39.
Michigan went on a 22-5 run over a nine-minute span as the Wolverines offense has succeeded with more ball movement. A game-high 13 points from Wisconsin guard John Blackwell, however, has helped keep the Badgers in a single-digit deficit.
The Wolverines have two players with double-digits in scoring, with guards Trey McKenney and Elliot Cadeau both with 10. Center Aday Mara has eight points and forward Yaxel Lendeborg has seven.
Aday Mara getting involved
2H, 15:27: Michigan 37, Wisconsin 31.
One made free throw from Michigan center Aday Mara marked the first point of the second half (and the first Michigan lead since early in the first half). Mara’s layup after an offensive rebound on the next possession gave him his second bucket of the game.
Mara has five points, five rebounds and four blocks on the game as the Wolverines look to extend their lead. Wisconsin, meanwhile, has been cold from 3-point land to start the half, shooting 0-for-6 on 3-pointers.
Yaxel Lendeborg ties game at the half
End 1H: Michigan 28, Wisconsin 28.
Michigan tied the game on a Yaxel Lendeborg corner 3 on the Wolverines’ final possession of the half. It was Lendeborg’s first score of the game, as the big man called this “the worst two games of my life” at the halftime interview.
The 28 points the Wolverines have scored are the lowest they’ve scored in any first half this season. And yet, amazingly, this game is tied.
Michigan chipping away at Wisconsin lead
1H, 0:36: Wisconsin 28, Michigan 25.
Michigan guard Trey McKenney’s 3-pointer cut Wisconsin’s lead to three points with three minutes left in the half. Two possessions later, Michigan’s defense forced a shot clock violation in the Badgers, but the Wolverines couldn’t capitalize on a miss from forward Yaxel Lendeborg.
But center Aday Mara’s first bucket one possession later brought the Wolverines to within one point, though Mara failed to tie the game after missing and-one free-throw attempt.
An impressive reverse layup from Wisconsin guard Nick Boyd extended Wisconsin’s lead to three points as both teams continue to struggle scoring.
Nothing falling for Michigan’s offense
1H, 4:39: Wisconsin 23, Michigan 16.
Michigan was shooting 25% from the field with six minutes left to go in the half, shooting an especially cold 2-for-12 from 3-point land.
At least Michigan’s defense has shown up, limiting Wisconsin’s offense to 33% shooting from the field with four blocks. But with eight turnovers and precious few buckets, Michigan’s offense looks lost.
Roddy Gayle Jr. appears injured
Michigan guard Roddy Gayle Jr. appeared to injure his right ankle while chasing for a loose ball. He limped towards the bench after the play, and we await updates on his injury status.
Aleksas Bieliauskas rains threes
1H, 7:17: Wisconsin 21, Michigan 16.
Michigan center Aday Mara showed one way to contain Wisconsin’s 3-point attack, blocking a 3-point attempt from Wisconsin guard Nick Boyd. The block led to a layup from Michigan guard Roddy Gayle Jr., cutting the Wisconsin lead to three points.
Except Wisconsin freshman Aleksas Bieliauskas followed that immediately with a 3-pointer, giving the Badgers their fifth of the game. Two minutes later, Bieliauskas hit his third of the game, capping Michigan’s 5-0 run and giving the Badgers a five-point lead. He leads all scorers with nine points.
And as a reminder, Bieliauskas’ career-high five 3-pointers were a big reason Wisconsin beat Michigan in their only regular-season matchup this season.
Wisconsin’s 3-pointer-only offense
1H, 11:53: Wisconsin 12, Michigan 9.
Trey McKenney’s fadeaway jumper allowed Michigan to retake the lead more than five minutes into the game, marking Michigan’s second made basket of the contest. Michigan big man Yaxel Lendeborg’s steal two possessions later then led to guard Nimari Burnett hitting two free throws after a transition shot attempt.
Wisconsin guard Nick Boyd then tied the game on a 3-pointer, the Badgers’ second of the game, while John Blackwell’s 3-pointer gave the Badgers a 3-point lead.
Michigan point guard Elliot Cadeau then responded with a 3-pointer of his own, but Wisconsin freshman Aleksas Bieliauskas hit a 3-pointer to re-take the lead for Wisconsin.
If you’re counting, yes, Wisconsin has only hit 3-pointers so far.
Both defenses stifling early
1H, 15:29: Wisconsin 3, Michigan 2.
Michigan big man Morez Johnson Jr. opened the scoring, and Wisconsin followed two possessions later with a 3-pointer from guard Andrew Rohde. Both teams were a combined 2-for-11 from the field through the first three minutes of the game, with Michigan putting in two early blocks and Wisconsin making three early steals.
Michigan’s big men haven’t had many opportunities to score and have been equaled on the glass, as well. It’s a defensive battle early.
Wisconsin starting five
Much like the Wolverines, the Badgers are also running it back with their starting five. That means forward Nolan Winter is not expected to play, but he reportedly may be able to play on Sunday if the Badgers win and advance to the final.
Michigan starting five
No surprises with Michigan’s starting five, with the Wolverines running it back with the same lineup from Friday’s win.
Michigan wearing maize
Per various reports from United Center, Michigan will be wearing maize uniforms for their semifinal matchup against Wisconsin.
That likely means the Badgers will be in red, though that has yet to be officially revealed.
Roddy Gayle wearing Yaxel Lendeborg jersey
Bucking a pregame tradition, Michigan big man Yaxel Lendeborg did not enter United Center wearing another teammate’s jersey.
Instead, senior guard Roddy Gayle Jr. is wearing a Lendeborg jersey … so the tradition continues in some manner.
Nolan Winter listed as questionable
Wisconsin forward Nolan Winter, who averages 13.3 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, is listed as questionable for the Badgers in this morning’s availability report. Winter has missed the last three games since injuring his ankle against Maryland but might return against the Wolverines.
Michigan: G Winters Grady (out), G L.J. Cason (out for the season).
Wisconsin: G Jack Janicki (out), F Nolan Winter (questionable).
Michigan basketball time vs Wisconsin
Michigan basketball channel vs Wisconsin
Saturday’s Big Ten semifinal matchup between Michigan and Wisconsin can be watched on CBS and streamed on Paramount+.
Watch Michigan-Wisconsin on Paramount+
Michigan basketball odds vs Wisconsin
All odds courtesy of BetMGM.
Big Ten men’s basketball 2026 standings
Here are the rest of the standings (and their slots in the 2026 Big Ten Tournament):
Big Ten men’s basketball first round scores
Big Ten men’s basketball second round scores
Big Ten men’s basketball third round scores
Big Ten men’s basketball quarterfinals: Friday, March 13
Big Ten men’s basketball semifinals: Saturday, March 14
Big Ten men’s basketball championship: Sunday, March 15
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You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Big Ten Tournament live updates vs Wisconsin, TV and odds
Reporting by Christian Romo, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
