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Yaxel Lendeborg reacts to Ohio State pregame trash talk: 'We got bench players talking like starters'

Barkley-Truaxby: Barkley Truax01/24/26BarkleyTruax

The Michigan–Ohio State rivalry was played on the hardwood on Friday night, seeing the No. 3 Wolverines beat the unranked Buckeyes 74-62. Before the game, however, the was a little bit of trash talking from the Ohio State side.

Buckeyes forward Colin White had a quote before the game that stated, “We hate Michigan, so we’re coming for blood. We’re going up there to win and we’re going to have fun doing it.”

Michigan star Yaxel Lendeborg reposted the quote on his social media once White’s comments went viral. Lendeborg spoke with FOX Sports Gus Johnson, who directed his postgame message directly toward White.

“I just wanted to stick it to Mr. Colin White. We got bench players talking like starters,” Lendeborg said. “So, that was pretty much my motivation for the entire game. It was to shut him up and show him who the real team is in this rivalry.”

White has played in 38 games over the past two years, including 19 games this season. He’s started one game during that span and is currently averaging 0.9 points, 1.2 rebounds and 0.5 assists in 9.0 minutes played on average.

Against the Wolverines, White scored two point, two rebounds and recorded two fouls in nine minutes. Meanwhile, Lendeborg had another strong performance with 18 points (7-13 FG), including nine rebounds and four assists.

The victory improved Michigan to 18-1 on the season, including an 8-1 mark against the Big Ten Conference. The only loss on their schedule this season was to Wisconsin 91-88 on Jan. 10.

“This team is super unselfish,” Lendeborg said. “Every play is to win. It’s not for ourselves. Nobody has a selfish bone in their body, and when you have a locker room like that it pushes you to be your best. Everyday we go out here and make extra plays for our teammates not just for ourselves.”

With the win, Michigan can shift its focus toward a top-10 matchup against Nebraska in Ann Arbor on Tuesday. Nebraska is one of three teams left undefeated on the season with a perfect 19-0 record eight games into Big Ten play. Two of three teams in the conference currently ranked in the top 10, the outcome of that matchup could have major implications down the road when it comes to the Big Ten regular season title race.

Tip-off for the marquee matchup is set for Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. ET. The official broadcast will stream live on Peacock.