2. Michigan (7-0)
Sometimes it can be truly amazing how the impression on a program can change quickly in a season. Michigan entered this year with major expectations and a brilliant lineup but struggled in a few of their games in the opening weeks of the season. They still got off to an unblemished start but weren’t exactly looking like a top team. This week they were looking like a top team.
Simply put, Michigan became the story of the Players Era Festival. On Monday they mauled San Diego State 94-54, getting 15 points from Yaxel Lendeborg while completely outworking the Aztecs. More of the same came Tuesday with a 102-72 win over a ranked Auburn squad, with another 17 points from Lendeborg in the leading effort. What transpired Wednesday topped it all, with the Wolverines blowing out a really great Gonzaga team 101-61, with a 20-point, 11-rebound from Lendeborg, 17 points from Trey McKenney, and 13 assists out of Elliot Cadeau.
Regardless of expectations, lineups changes, or what happened in the earlier weeks, Michigan proved that they are absolutely the real deal this season. They took complete charge in Las Vegas, winning those three games by a combined 110 points in one of the most dominant holiday tournament performances in recent memory. These emphatic performances earned them a nice break and we won’t see the Wolverines again until next weekend where they’ll be heavily favored in their Big Ten debut against Rutgers.