Michigan
No. 1 Michigan rallies for OT victory vs. No. 2 MSU in instant classic
ANN ARBOR – The first meeting between Michigan and Michigan State’s hockey teams ranked No. 1 and No. 2 turned out to be an all-time classic.
The top-ranked Wolverines scored twice in the third period to tie the game at three and won on a power-play goal from Jayden Perron in overtime. Their comeback victory gives them a three-point lead in the Big Ten over MSU entering Saturday’s annual “Duel in the D” matchup at Little Caesars Arena.
Special teams ended up winning the game for Michigan (23-4, 14-4). Its first power play came during three-on-three overtime, and it capitalized. Sophomore Michael Hage set up Perron for the one-timer, and it snuck past MSU goalie Trey Augustine short-side.
Meanwhile, the Wolverines, who have won seven straight, tied the game shorthanded. Adam Valenti was called for boarding at the 12:11 mark of the third, and Wolverines head coach Brandon Naurato was vehemently disagreeing with the referee about the call. His team responded. Senior forward Kienan Draper scored on a two-on-one rush, sending the sold-out crowd into a frenzy.
The drama didn’t end there. Prior to Draper’s goal, MSU (21-6, 12-5) drilled the post at the other end, and the Spartans challenged for a potential goal, which would have negated Draper’s. But the puck never crossed the goal line.
Earlier in the period, Michigan defenseman Asher Barnett joined the rush and beat Augustine to pull the Wolverines to within one with 9:33 remaining.
Friday was the 350th meeting between the two rivals, and the Spartans appeared to be on their way to a seventh straight victory of their own.
They scored twice in the final five minutes of the second period to take a 3-1 lead. Sophomore forward Shane Vansaghi broke the tie with a power move to the net and a quick shot into the top corner. The team followed with extended offensive zone time and scored again 2:37 later. Defenseman Owen West walked in from the point and wired wrist shot past goalie Stephen Peck with traffic in front.
The Wolverines weathered a slow start and tied the game at one with 2:56 remaining in the first period. T.J. Hughes won an offensive zone draw back to defenseman Drew Shock, whose shot was redirected by Nick Moldenhauer for his ninth goal of the season.
The first 15 minutes was controlled by MSU outside of one shift. All four of the Wolverines’ shots to that point came during a 52-second span when they hemmed in the Spartans in their own zone.
Otherwise, MSU generated the majority of chances and capitalized at the 15:14 mark. Senior Charlie Stramel, a first-round pick of the Wild, redirected a Porter Martone feed in front for his fourth goal in the past two games.
Michigan is 6-3 in the Duel in the D, but MSU has won the past two. It is the final regular season matchup between the two programs.
When the Sweet 16 continues on Saturday during the 2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament, Michigan women’s basketball (27-6) will continue its climb to reach the Final Four for the first time.
The Wolverines, who earned the No. 2 seed in the Fort Worth 3 Region, are playing in the program’s third Sweet 16 under head coach Kim Barnes Arico.
“We committed to Michigan to do this, and we committed to Coach Arico to do it for her and for each other,” Michigan guard Olivia Olson said. “We’re accomplishing the goals we set out to, and we’re not done yet. So we’re going to keep having fun with it and keep preparing.”
Michigan will take on No. 3 Louisville Cardinals (29-7) at 12:30 p.m. ET Saturday at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
“This is my first time going to the Sweet 16, all of our first times, so I think the feeling of, we’re still dancing, we’re still playing basketball, it’s a great feeling,” Louisville guard Taj Roberts said.
The winner from Saturday’s matchup will play in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament on Monday, March 30, for the right to advance to the Final Four.
What time is Michigan vs. Louisville?
- Date: Saturday, March 28
- Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Dickies Arena (Fort Worth, Texas)
The Michigan Wolverines will play the Louisville Cardinals in the Sweet 16 round of the 2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 28, at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
Michigan vs. Louisville: TV, streaming
The 2026 men’s NCAA Tournament is down to its Sweet 16 and we’ll have a Final Four by Sunday evening. For half of the college stars taking the court this weekend, it’s one final opportuniy to impress NBA teams with their play at full game speed when the lights are brightest as this year’s draft class comes into focus.
The 2026 NBA draft is expected to take place in late June. In USA TODAY’s latest mock draft, Michigan’s Morez Johnson Jr. is expected to go in the first round. Here’s how USA TODAY currently projects the big man’s draft night will play out.
Our draft order is based on ESPN’s projected records and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.
Morez Johnson Jr. 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 25 overall, Los Angeles Lakers
Kalbrosky’s Analysis:
Morez Johnson Jr. is one of the best, most underrated two-way players in the NCAA. He is a crucial part of the Michigan identity this season and has thrived since transferring to the Wolverines from Illinois. Johnson’s shooting form at the free throw line looks good, and he scores well near the rim, especially when cutting to the basket. The former FIBA U-19 Team USA standout and All-Big Ten big man is a trustworthy defensive playmaker, too, and should find minutes at the next level.
See USA TODAY’s full mock draft here
Morez Johnson Jr. player profile
(all stats as of March 15)
- Position: Forward-Center
- Current Team: Michigan
- 13.1 points per game
- 7.2 rebounds per game
- 1.1 assists per game
- 62.8% field goal percentage
- 37.9% three-point field goal percentage
Los Angeles Lakers 2026 projected draft picks
A pedestrian was struck and died of her injuries early Friday on the Lodge Freeway in Detroit.
Emergency dispatchers started to get calls about 2:30 a.m. about someone who was walking along the Lodge, and then were notified that the person had been struck by a vehicle, the Michigan State Police reported.
When troopers arrived, they found multiple cars stopped along the freeway, and people standing around a woman who was severely injured.
Detroit EMS pronounced the woman dead at the scene, state police said. She has not yet been identified.
The driver who struck the woman did not stay at the scene.
“Troopers are currently using technology that is available in the area to identify the vehicle involved,” MSP F/Lt. Mike Shaw said.
The Lodge Freeway, also known as M-10, was closed at about 2:46 a.m. Friday between Chicago Boulevard / Hamilton Avenue and Clairmount Street for the investigation and emergency assistance, according to Michigan Department of Transportation reports. The Lodge was reported back open at 6:05 a.m.
Michigan Department of Transportation traffic reports are at the MI Drive site.
State police said their investigation is continuing. Those who witnessed the crash or have other information are asked to call the MSP Metro South Post at 734-287-5000 or Crime Stoppers of Michigan at 800-SPEAK-UP.
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