As the McNeese Cowboys prepare to face the top-ranked Michigan Wolverines on December 29, 2025, the stakes are high for both teams. The Cowboys, with a record of 10-2, are set to compete at Michigan’s Crisler Arena, marking their first clash against a No. 1 team in either major poll. This matchup follows McNeese’s previous victory over the Wolverines two years ago, where they triumphed 87-76, establishing themselves as a rising mid-major contender.
Wolverines’ Dominance and Cowboys’ Ambition
The Wolverines enter this game with an impressive 11-0 record and sit atop the Coaches Poll while being ranked second by the Associated Press. This marks a significant challenge for McNeese, whose head coach Bill Armstrong acknowledged the formidable nature of their opponent. “They are a great team,” Armstrong stated. “It is going to be a great challenge for us.”
In terms of player experience, only four athletes from both teams participated in the previous encounter. For McNeese, DJ Richards and Javohn Garcia return, while Michigan fields Nimari Burnett and Will Tschetter. Burnett, a starter in the last meeting, has averaged 8.4 points per game this season, showcasing his three-point shooting ability with a 41 percent success rate. In contrast, Richards scored 15 points in their last matchup, and Garcia, the reigning Southland Conference Player of the Year, contributed 5 points.
Richards expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming game, saying, “We look forward to playing the big programs. It is a time when we get to go against the best in the country.” Since their last victory over Michigan, McNeese has solidified its reputation as a mid-major powerhouse, currently ranked 17th in the CollegeInsider.com poll and 6th in the T3 One-Bid League Mid-Major Top 32 poll.
Cowboys’ Recent Performance and Key Players
The Cowboys return to competition after a two-week hiatus for the Christmas break, riding a four-game winning streak, with three victories achieved on the road. In stark contrast, the Wolverines have established themselves as a dominant force in college basketball under second-year head coach Dusty May. May emphasized his team’s focus on improvement rather than their ranking, stating, “We’re continuing to reinforce our pillars and daily habits, and work on getting better.”
McNeese guard Larry Johnson, who leads the team in scoring with an average of 16.6 points per game, remarked on the importance of competition against top teams. “You want to play in these games to see how you stack up against them,” Johnson said. He joined forces with teammates Tyshawn Archie (averaging 13.5 points) and Garcia (averaging 12.7 points) to form a potent offensive lineup.
On the other side, Michigan boasts a well-rounded attack led by Yaxel Lendenborg, a six-foot-nine-inch forward who averages 15.6 points per game. He is part of a robust roster where six players score in double figures, and five have a three-point shooting percentage above 40 percent.
This game, set to tip off at 18:00 local time, will be broadcast on the Big Ten Plus Network, providing fans an opportunity to witness a thrilling matchup between two competitive programs. With both teams eager to prove their capabilities, the anticipation for this contest continues to build.
