The University of Michigan’s men’s basketball team is gearing up for a notable showdown against St. John’s at Madison Square Garden. This highly anticipated exhibition, part of the Bad Boy Mowers Series: New York, will take place on Saturday, October 25, at 7 p.m. Fans can catch the action on B1G+, featuring commentary from Bob Brainerd and analyst Brian Butch.
Historical Context of the Matchup
This matchup carries historical significance. The two teams have met six times previously, with St. John’s holding a slight advantage, winning four of those encounters. Their last meeting was memorable for the Wolverines, who claimed an 89-73 victory at Madison Square Garden on November 13, 2023. It’s worth noting that in 1965, St. John’s delivered a stunning upset by defeating the top-ranked Wolverines 75-74 at the Garden.
Michigan’s Performance at Madison Square Garden
- All-time record: 26 wins, 12 losses.
- NIT Titles: 1984, 1997, 2004.
- Big Ten Tournament Title: 2018.
- Longest winning streak: 11 games.
Michigan’s connection to Madison Square Garden is strong, reflected in their impressive performances over the years. The Wolverines recently experienced an 11-game winning streak at this iconic venue, which ended with a narrow loss to Arkansas during the 2024 Jimmy V Classic.
St. John’s Current Season Outlook
Entering the 2025-26 season, St. John’s is ranked No. 5 in the AP Poll and No. 6 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. They are favorites in the Big East after an impressive 31-5 record last season, including an 18-2 conference performance that earned them both the regular-season and tournament titles. They reached the NCAA Tournament’s second round, ultimately falling to Arkansas by a score of 75-66.
Exhibition Performances and Player Highlights
St. John’s began their exhibition play successfully, defeating Towson 73-63 at Carnesecca Arena on October 18. Bryce Hopkins was the standout player with 13 points, while Zuby Ejiofor contributed 12 points and nine rebounds. The team demonstrated strong defensive skills, holding Towson to 37 percent shooting and forcing 16 turnovers.
Notably, Zuby Ejiofor was recognized as the Big East Preseason Player of the Year, joining teammate Bryce Hopkins on the Preseason All-Big East First Team. Ian Jackson earned Second Team honors, while Dillon Mitchell and Joson Sanon were named to the Third Team.
Michigan Wolverines’ Recent Games
The Wolverines faced Cincinnati in their exhibition opener on October 17, where they nearly overcame a 20-point deficit but ultimately lost 100-98. Yaxel Lendeborg was exceptional, scoring 31 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Roddy Gayle Jr. and Elliot Cadeau also contributed significantly with 18 and 15 points, respectively.
Looking Ahead at Michigan’s Plans
Under head coach Dusty May, now in his second season, Michigan aims to build on last year’s success, which included a 27-10 overall record. The team’s standout moment came when they secured their fourth Big Ten Tournament title with a victory over Wisconsin.
As the season approaches, Michigan will raise its 2025 Big Ten Tournament championship banner during the home opener against Oakland on November 3. The first 5,000 fans will receive a replica banner as a memento of this achievement.
