ANN ARBOR, Mich. (Interstat) — No. 9 Michigan overwhelmed Villanova 89-61 in a nonconference men’s basketball game Tuesday night at Crisler Center. The Wolverines (9-0) built a commanding 53-23 halftime lead and never looked back, using a 46-10 advantage in points in the paint to control the game. Elliot Cadeau led Michigan with 18 points. Villanova (7-2), which got 18 points from Devin Askew, was held to 38.5% shooting from the floor. The Wildcats cut into the large deficit after halftime but never threatened. An announced crowd of 12,707 watched Michigan cover the pregame spread as the total score fell under the projected line.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (Interstat) — The Michigan Wolverines, showcasing a dominant and balanced attack from the opening tip, overwhelmed the Villanova Wildcats 89-61 in a nonconference men’s basketball game Tuesday night at a sold-out Crisler Center. The victory extended Michigan’s perfect start to the season to nine wins, while Villanova, which entered the contest having won seven of its first eight, fell to 7-2. The most important part of the game was a devastating first-half surge by the Wolverines that effectively decided the contest before halftime. After a competitive opening few minutes, Michigan unleashed a 30-6 run over a span of just over eight minutes, turning a narrow 10-8 lead into a commanding 40-14 advantage. The run was fueled by stifling defense, which forced a series of Villanova turnovers, and an unstoppable inside game. Michigan scored 46 points in the paint for the game, with a significant portion coming during this decisive stretch. Elliot Cadeau, a guard from West Orange, New Jersey, spearheaded the Michigan offense with 18 points in just 23 minutes, including three 3-pointers. His backcourt mate, LJ Cason of Lakeland, Florida, added 8 points and 3 assists, often serving as the catalyst for the Wolverines’ transition game. The interior was controlled by Michigan’s formidable front line. Seven-foot-three center Aday Mara from Zaragoza, Spain, recorded 11 points, 2 assists and 2 blocks, while forward Yaxel Lendeborg of Pennsauken, New Jersey, contributed 9 points. The depth of the Wolverines was on full display as Trey McKenney of Flint, Michigan, scored 10 points, Morez Johnson of Riverdale, Illinois, added 7 points, 2 assists and 2 blocks, and Will Tschetter of Stewartville, Minnesota, chipped in 7 points. Villanova, which shot poorly from the field throughout the night, was led by Devin Askew’s 18 points. The guard from Sacramento, California, was one of the few bright spots for the Wildcats’ offense. Christian Jeffrey, a reserve guard from Brooklyn, New York, provided a late spark off the bench, scoring all 12 of his points in the second half. Acaden Lewis of Washington, D.C., finished with 11 points and 3 assists. The Wolverines set the tone immediately, with Cadeau hitting a 3-pointer on the game’s first possession. Villanova briefly kept pace, tying the game at 6-6 on a 3-pointer from Tyler Perkins. However, Michigan’s defensive pressure soon took over. Steals by Lendeborg and Nimari Burnett led to easy baskets, and the Wolverines began to pound the ball inside with authority. A dunk by Lendeborg, an alley-oop to Mara, and a layup by Roddy Gayle highlighted the explosive run that buried the Wildcats. Villanova’s offense was disjointed, managing only 23 points in the first half on a combination of tough Michigan defense and poor shot selection. The Wildcats finished the half with more turnovers than made field goals, allowing Michigan to take a 53-23 lead into the break. The 30-point halftime deficit was a hole far too deep for Villanova to climb out of, despite a slightly better offensive output of 38 points in the second half. Michigan’s offense cooled somewhat after intermission, but the outcome was never in doubt. The Wolverines maintained at least a 20-point lead throughout the final period, allowing head coach Howard Eisley to empty his bench in the closing minutes. Walk-on Howard Eisley Jr. and reserves like Winters Grady and Malick Kordel saw action, with Grady hitting a late 3-pointer to provide the final margin. The game was a stark contrast in efficiency. Michigan converted Villanova’s 15 turnovers into 21 points, while the Wildcats managed only 13 points off 12 Michigan turnovers. The Wolverines also held a massive 46-10 advantage in points in the paint, underscoring their physical dominance. A crowd of 12,707 watched as Michigan continued its early-season rampage, having now won each of its nine games by at least 18 points, with the lone exception being a one-point overtime victory over Wake Forest in the season opener. Villanova, which had been riding a five-game winning streak, now must regroup before a Saturday matchup against Pittsburgh. Michigan will look to continue its perfect start on the road Saturday against Maryland in its Big Ten Conference opener. According to pregame projections from National Statistical’s ELO system, Michigan was given an 84.5% probability to win and was installed as a 15-point favorite. The total score of 150 points fell under the over/under line of 148.5.

Undefeated Michigan Hosts Villanova in Top-10 Showdown ANN ARBOR, Mich. (Interstat) — A marquee nonconference clash headlines the college basketball slate Tuesday as the Villanova Wildcats visit the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Center. Michigan (8-0), one of the nation’s last remaining undefeated teams, has dominated its early schedule, winning its last seven games by an average of 33.7 points. That streak includes a 101-60 demolition of Rutgers on Saturday. The Wolverines’ offense has been prolific, scoring 100-plus points in three of their last four contests. Villanova (7-1) brings its own momentum, riding a seven-game winning streak since a season-opening loss at BYU. The Wildcats are coming off a 90-63 victory over Penn on Saturday, where their defense held an opponent under 65 points for the fourth time this season. The matchup features two of the country’s most efficient offenses and will be a test of Villanova’s defensive discipline against Michigan’s high-powered attack. The Wolverines have showcased remarkable depth, with transfer big man Morez Johnson providing a consistent interior presence. Johnson is averaging 13.8 points and leads the team in blocks, coming off a 22-point performance against Rutgers. Villanova will counter with the backcourt leadership of Bryce Lindsay, who has scored in double figures in every game this season. Lindsay is averaging 16.6 points per contest and provides a dynamic scoring threat from the perimeter. This game marks the programs’ first meeting since the 2018 NCAA championship game, which Villanova won 79-62. The Wildcats hold a 4-2 all-time series edge. For Michigan, a win would solidify its early-season hold on the top ranking. For Villanova, a road victory against the nation’s top team would announce its return to the national championship conversation. Tipoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. EST Tuesday. Michigan travels to Maryland on Saturday, while Villanova hosts Pittsburgh on Dec. 13.