DETROIT, Mich. — The University of Michigan men’s basketball team, currently ranked sixth, secured a thrilling 85-84 overtime victory against Wake Forest on Tuesday night. This matchup took place at Little Caesars Arena.
Aday Mara was the star of the show, scoring 18 points and achieving career highs with 13 rebounds, six assists, and five blocks. That’s his second straight game with a double-double and the fourth of his career. Elliot Cadeau also shined, contributing 17 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, including a clutch basket that tied the game in the second half. Roddy Gayle Jr. added 13 points while Morez Johnson Jr. had 10, alongside eight rebounds.
The game turned when a timely pair of free throws by Mara and a Wake Forest turnover set up Cadeau’s crucial assist for Gayle’s three-pointer, tying the game late. After trading leads, a well-timed layup by Cadeau forced the game into overtime.
In overtime, a slam dunk from Mara, following a tip-off by Cadeau, set the tone. Despite not scoring until the last moments, Michigan managed to hold onto a slim lead. A missed layup from Wake Forest in the final seconds sealed Michigan’s victory.
The second half was intense, with Wake Forest pushing hard to close the gap. Early on, Johnson scored an alley-oop and added a layup. The Demon Deacons came out strong, reducing Michigan’s lead with a dunk that tied the game at 64, marking the first tie since the first half. The Wolverines had to dig deep as they found themselves trailing by seven with just over four minutes left.
In the first half, Michigan started with energy, quickly moving ahead with strong plays from Johnson and Lendeborg. After a rocky patch, they rallied to take control. By halftime, they were ahead 47-34, building momentum with solid free-throw shooting.
Interestingly, this match saw Wake Forest set a record for opponent fouls, a staggering 29, breaking their previous record of 25. Cadeau achieved personal milestones as well, reaching over 200 rebounds and 400 assists in his career.
Following this victory, Michigan will head to Fort Worth, Texas, to face TCU on Friday night. With a perfect record at Little Caesars Arena this season and fresh confidence from this overtime win, they look to keep the momentum going.
If trends on social media are any indication, fans are buzzing about Mara’s standout performance, with many highlighting his versatility on the court. In today’s game, stats speak volumes. This year, NBA draft prospects are closely watching NCAA stars, including Michigan’s own talents. As audiences engage with the performances, it’s clear the Wolverines are building something special this season.
