The Michigan Wolverines took a close and physical game from the Penn State Nittany Lions on Monday night. It was a game that head coach Dusty May felt came down to Michigan’s defensive intensity in a game where they were allowed to play physically.

“We’ve got to fix some things,” May said. “We’ve got to find some solutions to the problems that we face.”

Michigan coach Dusty May was thoroughly impressed by the environment at Purdue's Mackey Arena on Friday night, calling it, 'more impressive' than he thought.

Point guard Tre Donaldson wouldn't call his game-winning final sequence a season-saver, but he did call it a morale "booster" for the team.

While Big Ten play is still in its early stages, the Wolverines and Spartans look to be on a collision course atop the conference

Dusty May had an interesting comparison for Michigan’s home crowd based on the intensity during the 76-72 win over Penn State.

Michigan coach Dusty May said his team failed to match Purdue's level of physicality in the blowout loss at Mackey Arena.

Under the leadership of Dusty May, it looked like Michigan was poised to become the next juggernaut in the Big Ten, and while that still might be the case, the Wolverines definitely hit some stumbling blocks with recent road losses to Minnesota and Purdue.

Purdue forward Trey Kaufman-Renn (4) reaches for the ball between the legs of Michigan center Vladislav Goldin (50) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in West Lafayette, Ind., Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) AP

Michigan State (14-2) has won nine in a row under Tom Izzo, now in his 30th year on the job. The Spartans, ranked No. 16, clobbered Washington at home and won at Northwestern on Sunday (78-68) since the last poll came out.

Tre Donaldson and Michigan will be back in action on Saturday as they will hit the road to take on Rutgers. The Wolverines and Scarlet Knights will tip at 3:30 ET from Jersey Mike's Arena in Piscataway, New Jersey, and the game will be airing on Fox.

Michigan basketball nearly let its hand off the wheel, but held on for a 76-72 lead over Penn State to stay perfect at home