Michigan Narrowly Falls to Cincinnati in Preseason Exhibition

The Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team opened their 2025-26 preseason with a high-scoring 100-98 exhibition loss to the Cincinnati Bearcats at Crisler Center, despite a strong second-half rally led by Yaxel Lendeborg, who scored 29 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Michigan trailed by as much as 20 points in the first half and struggled with turnovers and fouls but showed resilience in the second half, narrowing the gap to just two points late in the game. The Wolverines were missing key big men Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara due to injuries, which affected their lineup and rotation. Head coach Dusty May, in his second year, intentionally scheduled tough preseason opponents like Cincinnati and St. John's to expose weaknesses and prepare his team for the regular season. Michigan's roster includes eight newcomers, including impactful transfers like Lendeborg and Elliot Cadeau, as the team aims to improve on last season's issues with turnovers and shooting efficiency. The matchup marked the first meeting between Michigan and Cincinnati in over 30 years and provided a critical test ahead of the regular season kickoff in early November.