ANN ARBOR, Mich. — It was set up to be a momentous night of celebration for the Michigan Wolverines. A little more than two hours before this big rivalry game, the university announced first-year coach Dusty May had agreed to a new deal less than a year after signing his original contract, effectively taking him off the table for the soon-to-be vacant Indiana job.

It was one more boost to a game that required no additional hype. A sellout crowd eagerly filled Crisler Arena for what many anticipated to be a thrilling encounter. A top-15 matchup between No. 12 Michigan and the rival Michigan State, ranked 14th, in a crucial conference battle.

They came, they conquered.

With the score 71-62 favoring MSU and just under two minutes remaining, the cheers erupted in hostile territory.

GO GREEN!

GO WHITE!

The final quarter left Michigan scoreless, landing them a 72-62 loss. “There’s nothing better than beating your rival on their home floor,” said Spartans coach Tom Izzo.

Richardson scored a game-high 21 points with six rebounds, showcasing his impressive performance. Izzo noted, “I told him at the end of the game, I want the ball in his hands.”

Jase Richardson inherits the club’s legacy, following his father, Jason Richardson, an iconic player for the program. He shared, “It’s a pure hatred between the teams; it’s really special being part of it.”

The second half solidified Richardson’s role as the go-to player for the Spartans, and with his continued development, the team looks poised for significant success this season.