How photos posted in locker room help fuel the fire for Michigan basketball

Michigan Wolverines basketball doesn’t need extra motivation for Friday night’s game against in-state opponent Michigan State. The Wolverines are atop the Big Ten standings and would remain there with a win but fall with a loss, and the proximity between the schools also makes it an intense matchup.

However, the Maize and Blue have struck a nice balance of focusing on what’s important — the game plan, the scouting report and improving as a team — while also using motivational tactics and adding fuel to the fire.

Michigan lost by 27 points at Purdue but beat them in the rematch at Crisler Center, and graduate guard Rubin Jones revealed how the coaching staff got the team ready to go.

“They played the highlights from that game all week, kinda seeing it throughout the gym,” Jones said. “They had the score in our lockers. It was kinda crazy all week.”

Ahead of Sunday’s game at Ohio State, Michigan banded together and won for junior guard Roddy Gayle Jr., who played for the Buckeyes the previous two seasons and received “hate” from their fan base after transferring.

Ahead of Friday’s tilt against Michigan State, the Wolverines are finding their motivation. The returning players, such as graduate guard Nimari Burnett, were swept by the Spartans last season, while the nine scholarship newcomers may need a proper introduction to the in-state series.

“I’ve definitely had honestly all of the games marked on my calendar that we didn’t win against last year, whatever the team was,” Burnett said. “But especially the two matchups that we have against them.”

That was fun, but we’re chasing something bigger pic.twitter.com/ASEQUnfdea

— Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball) February 16, 2025

Michigan has found ways to prepare for MSU even before diving into them in film sessions and practice.

“We watched some of their games this year, so that’s one aspect of it,” Burnett explained. “Another aspect is talking to alums, and them giving their own individual feedback from their experiences here at Michigan. A lot of videos.

“In our locker room right now, we have papers of … the returners from last year, we have papers of the scores from last year. And then the rest of the guys have [photos of] Michigan State fans, Michigan State players just taunting us. So I think that all gets us pumped for the game.

“I wish we had some videos, but we’re gonna get into that. I’m sure we’re gonna watch some film, of course, on them, but also some hype videos as well. I’m looking forward to all of those.”

Burnett and the Wolverines understand how much this one means.

“Whether we’re playing for first place or fifth place, this is the one,” the Michigan guard said. “We’re very excited for it. I think the team is very prepared, and we have two great days to prepare for it even more in practice.”

Michigan met as a team Wednesday to really begin their prep for Friday’s game, after a pair of off days. The Wolverines can’t take an off day next week due to a condensed schedule, which includes a trip to Nebraska, so they added more time away this week.

In the lead-up to Friday’s contest, Michigan will have some of its returning players, along with Gayle, who’s been around the Big Ten for some time, speak to the rest of the group.

“We’re gonna meet as a team and really start to dive into the scout,” assistant coach Kyle Church said. “It’ll be good to hear Roddy, [redshirt junior forward] Will [Tschetter], Nimari, these guys that are familiar with Michigan State, what to expect.”

At the same time, the expectations that matter more are the tendencies of the Spartans and their players, including the transition offense and rebounding.

“That just goes with all the games throughout the season,” Burnett said. “Multiple games have higher stakes, and they cause you to be very, very pumped and excited for the moment. That’s when we rely on our training, practice and our own individual and team process of being ready for the moment and stay even keeled, focusing on the process versus the actual rivalry.”