Michigan

Wisconsin’s bench delivers in win vs Central Michigan, other takeaways

Published

3 months ago

December 23, 2025

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Wisconsin’s bench delivers in win vs Central Michigan, other takeaways

The Wisconsin Badgers defeated Central Michigan 88-61, fueled by a dominant 25-3 run in the second half.
Wisconsin’s bench players contributed a season-high 44 points.
The Badgers showcased strong ball movement, recording 25 assists on 29 field goals.

MADISON – Wisconsin frequently displayed a warm, inviting fireplace graphic on the Kohl Center video board, complete with brick around the fireplace, stacks of firewood on each side and “staying warm with Wisconsin basketball” text.

The play on the court was even more picturesque for much of the second half as the Badgers used a big run in the second half to blow past Central Michigan, 88-61, on Dec. 22 at the Kohl Center.

Wisconsin outscored Central Michigan in the second half, 48-33, and many of CMU’s second-half points came when the game was already well out of reach. The Badgers had a 25-3 scoring run, which quickly turned a 13-point lead into a 35-point lead.

The Badgers won with their bench players taking on bigger roles.

Austin Rapp had 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting along with seven rebounds. Braeden Carrington, three days after missing the Villanova game with an injury, had nine points off the bench.

The only two bench players who did not score were Isaac Gard and Riccardo Greppi, and they only played one minute and 23 seconds. UW’s 44 bench points were its most in a game since at least the 2006-07 season, according to UW sports information.

“This group needs to continue to do it by committee, and it was good to see a lot of guys step up,” Wisconsin coach Greg Gard said.

Here are three other takeaways from the Badgers’ 27-point win over the Chippewas:

Ball movement was strength again for Wisconsin offensively

Wisconsin’s ball movement has been quite the harbinger for success in 2025-26.

It has appeared to be a major strength for the Badgers at times, like when they had 15 assists on 17 field goals in the first half against Northwestern. But at the same time, Wisconsin had more turnovers than assists in three of its four losses this season. (Most recently, UW had 15 assists versus 16 turnovers in its Dec. 19 loss to Villanova in Milwaukee.)

The Badgers were back in sync against Central Michigan, racking up 25 assists on 29 field goals. It was Wisconsin’s first time since at least 2004-05 with 25-plus assists on fewer than 30 made field goals, and it was UW’s first game with 25-plus assists in general since its Jan. 3 win against Iowa.

“When we move the ball, we’re hard to guard, as probably anybody in the country is,” Gard said. “And when we don’t, we become much easier (to guard).”

UW guard Jack Janicki had nine assists off the bench, obliterating his previous career-high of three assists. He previously had seven in Wisconsin’s first 11 games combined.

“He got back to playing how he can play and we need him to play,” Gard said of Janicki, who also had four points, one rebound and one steal in 23 minutes.

Austin Rapp, Nolan Winter shine before Winter’s injury, but Winter will be ‘fine’

Wisconsin forward Austin Rapp had, as Gard put it, a “non-aggressive mindset” against Villanova as he finished with no rebounds and missed his two shots in 16 minutes.

Rapp bounced back in a big way against Central Michigan. His 18 points topped what he totaled in his previous three games combined, as did his seven rebounds. After shooting 1 of 10 from 3-point range in his previous three games, he was 4 of 7 from deep against Central Michigan.

“Obviously a few rough games,” Rapp said. “It happens. Obviously don’t want those games. But to bounce back tonight and see a few shots go down and kind of get a good win and see other guys contribute too was really cool.”

The Portland transfer also was a key part of the 25-3 run that removed any doubt, as he scored 13 of those 25 points.

Forward Nolan Winter also was productive against the Chippewas, totaling 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting and a team-high eight rebounds in 26 minutes. That was until he exited the game with an injury as he appeared to be grabbing toward his ankle.

He limped to the locker room and later could be seen standing in the tunnel. Gard said Winter was “walking around” after the game as well.

“I haven’t seen the film, if he stepped on somebody,” Gard said. “But he said he’d be fine. We’ll get some time off here where he can get himself feeling good again and fine. But he was about ready to be done anyway. I was ready to pull him. But you got to keep playing because things happen. He could tweak an ankle in the first five minutes or in the last five. So he’ll be fine.”

What to make of Hayden Jones’ first start, John Blackwell’s injury

Gard has talked a good talk about playing Hayden Jones more. Now, the freshman guard from New Zealand finally got his chance, making his first start against Central Michigan in place of the injured John Blackwell.

Jones said he found out about his start about 40 minutes beforehand.

“Kind of knew JB was going to be so-so,” Jones said. “But I was ready. Obviously had a bit of nerves going into it, but once I got in there, it was just another game of basketball.”

Jones had six points on 2-of-4 shooting, four rebounds and two turnovers in 24 minutes on the court. He had highlight-worthy moments, including a dunk in the first half. He also showed some areas where more improvement is needed, as evident by a turnover on a bad inbound pass that led to a CMU fastbreak opportunity.

“He has a really good feel for the game,” Gard said. “I got to get him to stop dribbling to the right wing and picking the ball up the first possession of every game, but I think he just has a really good feel and size. … He rebounds well for his size. He was going to play a lot tonight, regardless of where JB was at.”

As for Wisconsin’s preseason all-Big Ten guard, Gard said that Blackwell “will be fine.” UW did not disclose any details about the nature of the injury – including whether it was upper- or lower-body – but Blackwell was seen on the sideline in street clothes without any noticeable impediments.

“He tried to warm up a little bit with our pregame stuff and didn’t feel he wanted to or was able to go,” Gard said. “So we move on, and it was a good opportunity for Hayden.”

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Michigan

Sweet 16 crossroads for Nimari Burnett journey to Michigan basketball

Published

27 minutes ago

March 23, 2026

Press Room

Sweet 16 crossroads for Nimari Burnett journey to Michigan basketball

BUFFALO, NY — Nimari Burnett couldn’t help but shake his head as he thought about it.

As he sat in front of his locker at KeyBank Center, after Michigan rolled over Saint Louis to return to the Sweet 16. before the buses returned, he realized he’d be playing a former team one way or the other. His two former programs, Alabama and Texas Tech were set to meet in the NCAA Tournament second round. The winner would head to the Sweet 16 to face Michigan basketball at Chicago’s United Center, with a spot in the Elite Eight on the line.

The team on which he made his college mark, playing against a squad where it didn’t work out, in his hometown, the place where he became a freshman All-American, before he transferred to Prolific Prep and took the next step of his journey.

“It’s an exciting feeling,” Burnett said. “I was talking to my family about it the other day. “Just can’t wait to see who we’ll play.”

On Sunday night, the Crimson Tide and Red Raiders squared off in Tampa, Florida, with XXX prevailing, xxx.

And now, Burnett’s basketball journey will get a full-circle moment, on Friday

But it will be just one of several big moments for him.

‘I’d be making a dumb decision’

A year ago Nimari Burnett, his now-fiancé, Will Tschetter and his girlfriend all went out to lunch at Cafe Zola in downtown Ann Arbor.

had been eliminated in the Sweet 16 about a week earlier, and the two longest-tenured Wolverines wanted a well-earned time away from the game to enjoy some food, friends and laughs.

Burnett had just finished his fifth year of college basketball and all season long, he’d been telling his teammates it was likely his last.

In fact, Burnett didn’t go through U-M’s senior day activities in March 2025, because he’d done so the year before, under the previous staff, and didn’t want to make the moment about himself, given he’d already had one.

But on that late March afternoon, Tschetter couldn’t help himself — he had to know.

“I remember straight up asking him, ‘What are your thoughts on next year?’” Tschetter said Saturday in Michigan’s locker room at KeyBank Center. “That was when, I think, he’d made his decision, he was like, ‘Yeah, I think I’m going to pull the trigger and come back.’

“All year he’d been saying, like, ‘Nah, this is my last year.’ We were all getting the ‘Unc’ jokes in, because he was a fifth-year. But yeah, I mean we were all super, super happy when he made the decision. It’s been a great ride with him.’

Burnett made his return to the Wolverines official less than a month after that lunch, on April 21, 2025. He was optimistic, based on the roster coming together — transfers Elliot Cadeau, Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara were already in the fold, with the possibility of landing Yaxel Lendeborg — that the 2025-26 season could be a special one.

The staff’s message and vision only convinced him further.

“I felt like last year was the best year of college, until this year,” Burnett said, his eyes almost reflective, as if he was processing it all in real time. “My collegiate career has been long, been through a lot of ups and downs and so I was uncertain of the future.

“But just trusting the staff, understanding they had high hopes of winning and they know how to recruit. I was like yeah, I’d be making a dumb decision [to leave].”

Of course, Burnett didn’t know all that would follow. But after everything he’d gone through to that point, he was more than willing to take the chance.

The winding journey

A McDonald’s All-American coming out of high school, Burnett began his collegiate career at Texas Tech. After one injury-shortened year in Lubbock, Burnett didn’t like the fit, so he opted to transfer to Alabama.

The move to the SEC brought a world of changes. In the months leading up to the season, Burnett tore his ACL, which sidelined him for the entirety of the 2021-22 season. His next season wasn’t much better, playing fewer than 15 minutes a game, with a mere nine starts.

He hit the road again, landing in Ann Arbor in 2023 under coach Juwan Howard. That season produced some of the worst results in program history. But Burnett stuck through it, agreeing to play for his fourth coach when Howard was replaced by Dusty May.

Its tough to argue with the results.

The sixth year in college has proven to be the best yet. Michigan (33-3, 19-1 Big Ten) has had a historic season, tying the program record for most wins in a season, setting a Big Ten record for wins in conference play and became the first Big Ten team in 50 years to sweep its road slate.

The Wolverines have gone 60-13 the past two seasons, with a Big Ten Tournament title, a regular-season crown and now, two straight Sweet 16s.

It’s clear that his story is reaching its climax.

‘Literally, it’s God’

Burnett is not a star for this Wolverines team. He’s a floor-spacer, a shooter, a trusted veteran who fills in the gaps. But he’s also exactly what makes a team like this click. He doesn’t require the ball, yet can make an impact quickly — like his 11 points Saturday against Saint Louis, including three 3-pointers, and a steal at center court that he took the other way for a contested layup.

He’s also capable of much more — his 31 points against Penn State last month were the most by any Wolverine this season — but he never forces that issue. It’s the player he developed into through the years.

Coming into college as a star, being relegated to a backup, then finding his final form in Ann Arbor. It’s only fitting every aspect of his journey comes to a crossroads as the Wolverines reach their most important weekend so far.

“I mean literally, it’s God,” Burnett said. “It’s so apparent. He couldn’t have drew it up better.”

Tony Garcia is the Michigan beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.

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Michigan

Michigan hockey leads trio of top NCAA Tournament seeds from the state

Published

13 hours ago

March 22, 2026

Press Room

Michigan hockey leads trio of top NCAA Tournament seeds from the state

Free Press staff and wire reports
| Detroit Free Press

Michigan hockey has its NCAA Tournament path to the Frozen Four, and it will be a tough one, as announced by the NCAA on Sunday, March 22.

The No. 1 overall seed Wolverines (29-7-1) – who are No. 1 in the USCHO poll and won won their first Big Ten Tournament title since 2023 on Saturday night – are headed to Albany, New York. U-M, making its record-tying 42nd NCAA appearance, will face 4-seed Bentley, the Atlantic Hockey champs, in the first round on Friday, March 27 (5:30 p.m., ESPNU).

Who else is in Michigan hockey regional?

The bottom half of U-M’s region should have some appeal to NHL prospect watchers, as well: Potential No. 1 overall pick Gavin McKenna and Penn State will face Minnesota Duluth in the second game. The Bulldogs are led by Detroit Red Wings prospect Max Plante; the second-round pick in 2024 has 24 goals and 25 assists for UMD to sit fifth in points nationally.

The final for the Albany regional, which could be an all-Big Ten affair, is set for Sunday, March 29.

Two wins for the Wolverines would send them to the Frozen Four, which is set to be played at T-Mobile Arena (the home of the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights) on April 9-11. U-M hasn’t made the

Where is Michigan State hockey playing?

Meanwhile, Michigan State, the No. 3 overall seed, is headed to Worcester, Massachusetts. The Spartans (25-8-2), who won the Big Ten regular-season title but fell in the tournament semifinals, will face Hockey East runner-up Connecticut (20-12-5) on Thursday, March 26 (1:30 p.m., ESPN2).

The Worcester regional could also feature an all-Big Ten final on Saturday, with Wisconsin (21-12-2 to finish fourth in the Big Ten) facing ECAC champ Dartmouth on Thursday (5 p.m., ESPNU).

Where is Western Michigan hockey playing?

Finally, there’s Western Michigan, only the defending champs. The Broncos (26-10-1) will start their title defense as the No. 4 overall seed, and the top seed in the Loveland, Colorado, region. They’ll face CCHA champions Minnesota State (22-10-7) in the regional semifinal on Friday (2:30 p.m., ESPNU).

Despite having the champion bona fides and the 1-seed, the Broncos might be the underdogs to advance to the Frozen Four, as they’re likely to face host Denver (25-11-3) in the regional final; the Pioneers won NCAA titles in 2022 and ‘24 and beat WMU in the NCHC semifinals, 2-1 in OT, last weekend.

The 16-team field was rounded out with the Sioux Falls, South Dakota, regional, which features North Dakota – the No. 2 overall seed – facing Merrimack in the first round on Thursday, The bottom of that regional features another recent NCAA champ, as Quinnipiac (which won it all in 2023) takes on Providence.

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Michigan

Michigan women’s basketball not content with Sweet 16 as a goal

Published

1 day ago

March 22, 2026

Press Room

Michigan women’s basketball not content with Sweet 16 as a goal

Dusty May knew immediately. Or at least the first time he saw his team in a gym last summer.

He knew his men’s Michigan basketball team would be good. Final Four good. Title-worthy good, and certainly the best collection of talent he’d ever … well … collected.

Kim Barnes Arico wasn’t so sure. The Michigan women’s coach also gathered her team last summer. She also looked out over the gym floor and saw the best collection of talent she’d ever recruited to Ann Arbor.

Her talent was younger though, highlighted by three sophomores in Mila Holloway, Olivia Olson and Syla Swords. But it wasn’t just the youth that gave her pause.

“Dusty’s mindset is a little bit different,” she said Saturday, March 21, at Crisler Center, ahead of her team’s second-round matchup with North Carolina State on Sunday (1 p.m., ABC). “I always am, ‘Are we going to be good?’ I’m always questioning how good are we really going to be. I think that’s the coach in me.”

Oh, don’t get her wrong. She knew she had talent. Even as freshmen, she admitted, the trio of Holloway, Olson and Swords “were just different.”

“When we headed into the first game of their college career in (Las) Vegas against South Carolina, I don’t know (whether or not) people expected us to lose by 30. We were in a one-possession game at the end of the game. At that point, I realized we had something special.”

Still, did she see her group would be a No. 2 seed not even two years later? Hosting first- and second-round games? Pulling into the Crisler parking lot and seeing students waiting to get in?

Swords, her star shooting guard, sure didn’t.

“There was like a line of 10 people waiting to get in two hours before the game,” she said. “That seems like a small thing, but we were all staring outside the bus, [like], ‘Oh, my gosh, there’s a lineup to get in!’ Just special like that to make us feel like we’re connected with the student body and make us feel like we have their support.”

Consider that a step. One of several Swords and Holloway and Olson and Barnes Arico want to take. Think they are ready to take, now that they are here, a victory from the Sweet 16.

They’ll have to get through a much tougher opponent to get there than the one they beat Friday evening in the first round. Holy Cross was happy to be in the tournament, and said as much after losing by 35 to the Wolverines.

North Carolina State isn’t happy to be here. They have a legacy, not to mention more size and physicality than Holy Cross. The Wolfpack employ two bigs – 6-foot-6 Tilda Trygger and 6-2 Khamil Pierre, the team’s leading scorer and a walking double-double.

U-M has length but not that kind of length. Or size. But they’ve got skill – everywhere – and are favored for a reason.

Michigan, as a program, has only been to the Sweet 16 two other times – 2021 and 2022 – so making it a third is no small thing. Yet it’s not where Olson and Swords and Holloway are looking to stop.

“We want to raise the program to another level,” said Olson.

They’ve done that all season, game by game, earning that 2-seed and homecourt in the first two rounds.

Did Barnes Arico see that last summer?

“Did I realize that we would be a top-10 team all season long? No. Did I realize that we would play some of the best teams in the country, the No. 1 and the No. 2 team in the country, to a one-possession game, with a chance to tie the game in both of those games? No. But I think sometimes this team, this group of young women … they continue to surprise. … I would have hoped that we would be pretty good,” she said, “but I’m really happy where we are.”

Contact Shawn Windsor: swindsor@freepress.com. Follow him @shawnwindsor.

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