After finally reaching No. 1, Michigan looks ready to pul...

What’s Happening

So get this: 1, but Michigans win Tuesday showed why it is the (overdue) true No.

1 in college basketball After finally reaching No. 1, Michigan looks ready to pull away from pack heading into showdown vs. (shocking, we know)

Duke Purdue was the preseason No.

The Details

1, but Michigan’s win Tuesday showed why it is the (overdue) true No. 1 in college basketball By Matt Norlander Feb 18, 2026 at 1:53 am ET • 7 min read Join the Conversation comments Imagn Images WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.

On Tuesday, the newly ranked No. 1 team in the country brandished its brawn and might in an authoritative 91-80 road win over No.

Why This Matters

7 Purdue to improve to 25-1, marking the first Big Ten team to reach that record since Ohio State in 2011 and the best start in Michigan history. The victory reinforced what college basketball’s most respected advanced metrics have been claiming for more than half the season: Michigan is the best team. How it’s doing this is incredible, though.

Players and coaches will be watching how this unfolds closely.

Key Takeaways

• Almost every win is either a knockout or convincing vanquishing.
• And yet: This team found itself a little surprised in which it trounced Purdue.
• That’s because almost 13 months ago, on Jan.
• 24, 2025, Michigan came into this same building and got dropped 91-64.

The Bottom Line

‘Paint Crew’ was primed and ready for Lendeborg Mackey is always loud, but the student section — dubbed the “Paint Crew” — was especially deafening at the start. They let Michigan star Yaxel Lendeborg have it early and often with profanity-laced chants.

What’s your take on this whole situation?