High 25 And 1: Michigan enters ranked showdown with USC as huge favourite

There are a variety of methods as an instance simply how superior and overwhelming Michigan has been this season. Maybe my favourite, on this second day of 2026, is to inform you that the Wolverines are taking part in Friday evening towards a Large Ten group that is 12-1 and ranked twenty fourth within the Related Press High 25 ballot — and Michigan is a 22.5-point favourite within the recreation!

That is a large quantity for a contest between ranked groups. And although one clarification for the massive unfold is that USC — with zero wins over groups within the high 45 at KenPom.com and a loss to unranked Washington on the resume — should not truly be ranked twenty fourth within the AP ballot, reality is, this has extra to do with Michigan being 12-0 with 9 wins by at the very least 25 factors.

The Wolverines beat Gonzaga by 40 and Auburn by 30. So that they’re 2-0 towards groups additionally in Friday morning’s up to date CBS Sports activities High 25 And 1 every day faculty basketball rankings — with these victories coming by a median of 35 factors. And that is why the Wolverines are 22.5-point favorites over USC, to not point out No. 1 within the High 25 And 1 for the twenty third consecutive day.

When you watch this one, the participant to look at is Yaxel Lendeborg. He is Michigan’s switch from UAB who’s averaging a team-high 15.7 factors, 7.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks in 26.8 minutes per recreation. The 6-foot-9 ahead received 29 factors, 9 assists, eight rebounds, three blocks and two steals within the Wolverines’ most-recent recreation towards a power-conference opponent, which resulted in a 101-83 victory over Maryland. That efficiency is among the many causes he is now fifth within the KenPom Participant of the Yr standings.