5 Takeaways from Michigan’s win against SDSU in the Players Era Festival

5 Takeaways from Michigan’s win against SDSU in the Players Era FestivalStory byKellen VossTue, November 25, 2025 at 5:37 AM UTC·5 min read

It’s always good to start out a tournament with a blowout victory, and that’s exactly what the No. 7 Michigan Wolverines got. U-M routed the San Diego State Aztecs, 94-54,

There’s a Michigan connection for the Aztecs: San Diego State head coach Brian Dutcher, an Alpena native, was an associate head coach under Steve Fisher at Michigan (1989-1998). Three seasons removed from a National Championship Game appearance, the Aztecs entered this game 2-1, falling to Troy in double overtime last week. San Diego State entered this game ranked 42nd on KenPom.

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May said after the Middle Tennessee win that he loves MTEs like this one, because it gives Michigan a chance to simulate the Big Ten Tournament and NCAA tournament. Michigan played unselfish, energetic basketball right out of the gate, leaping out to a huge lead that it maintained for nearly the entire ball game. A large win like this is also pivotal, with point differential being a tie-breaker when determining the top four teams out of the 18-squad pool.

Here are the takeaways from the victory.

Lendeborg and Burnett lead the way

Michigan’s offense ran like a well-oiled machine in this one, with Yaxel Lendeborg conducting the offense and Nimari Burnett being the main beneficiary.

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Each player had 10 points in that half, with Lendeborg staying aggressive on drives and Burnett hitting two key threes. Lendeborg led Michigan with 15 points, while Burnett finished with 11, with all but one of those points coming in the first half.

The Wolverines were rolling offensively in this one, especially in the first half, getting to the rim and moving the ball well before knocking down open threes. This was a team victory by every definition, but the play of these two really stood out in this one, especially in that first half.

Roddy Gayle Jr. turns this into a blowout, leads Michigan’s defense

SDSU kept it relatively at 10-14 points for a large portion of this game, but Gayle’s energy in the second half helped turn this into a blowout.

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Gayle scored nine points in that second half, making all four of his shots to help Michigan extend their lead. His three steals in that second half also helped demoralize the Aztecs.

Gayle was a big part of a Michigan defense that absolutely smothered the Aztecs, shrinking the chances of any sort of comeback with good rotations, forced turnovers, and excellent rebounding.

Elliot Cadeau and Morez Johnson Jr (13 points each) also did their part in the second half, but Roddy’s play on both ends helped ice this one for Michigan. Looks like the Ohio State transfer has found his ideal role off the bench.

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Will Tschetter swung this game with his play off the bench, making his first two threes and following his own shot before finishing through contact. Tschetter scored eight points off the bench in that first half, and was a big reason why Michigan was able to jump out to a double-digit lead. He only scored once in the second half, but he made his mark in that first half.

Getting those kinds of contributions from a guy that’s your eighth or ninth option offensively speaks to the depth on this Michigan squad. You may not see him impact every game like this, but he always plays like his hair is on fire like he did in this one.

Hot early shooting jumpstarts this offense

Michigan struggled from beyond the arc in the tight victories to Wake Forest and TCU, but the Wolverines found success from deep early in this one.

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The Wolverines made four of their first eight threes, which helped Michigan going on a 16-2 run over four-and-a-half early in the half. Six of those points came from Tschetter, who came off the bench on fire after hitting two threes. Just like that, Michigan had a 10-point cushion early into this one, a much-needed lead after a few rough starts.

It was nice to see Michigan finally get off to a good start; it’s amazing what making threes early can do to help your offense.

Domination on the glass and in the paint yet again

As has been the case all season long, Michigan had a size advantage in this one, and that was clear on the interior.

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Michigan bested SDSU in rebounds (49-34) and points in the paint (38-12), with Aday Mara (seven points, eight rebounds), Johnson, and Lendeborg going ham around the rim. Michigan consistently went to the rim when they weren’t shooting threes, a priority in Dusty May’s offense.

These have been Michigan’s two biggest strengths all season long, even when the Wolverines have struggled to make threes and take care of the basketball. Neither of those areas were of concern in this one, hence the easy victory.

Up Next

The Wolverines play again in less than 24 hours, with a chance to exact revenge from last season’s Sweet 16 loss to Auburn. That game is set to tip off on Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 8:30 p.m. ET on TNT)

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Michigan’s third game in the Players Era Festival is TBD: The Wolverines will play on Wednesday, Nov. 26 if they finish in the top four of the 18 teams. The top four will be determined by record, point differential, points scored and points allowed. The third place game is set for 7 p.m. ET, with the championship to follow at 9:30 p.m. ET.

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