Morez Johnson Jr. shines despite upset loss to Wisconsin: In-Person Scouting Notes

Paige Otto shares her in-person takeaways on Yaxel Lendeborg, Aday Mara, Morez Johnson Jr., John Blackwell, and more from Wisconsin's upset win over #2 Michigan at the Crisler Center.

Back in October, I had the opportunity to attend Michigan Pro Day to witness a newly constructed Dusty May Michigan squad that had three key transfer pickups in Elliot Cadeau, Aday Mara, and of course Yaxel Lendeborg. However, Lendeborg ended up not playing due to being sick, so all eyes were on the two-man game of Mara and Cadeau—which I was highly impressed with. I was especially impressed with how May was using Mara, as I didn’t think UCLA and Mick Cronin used Mara to the best of his skillset. I also want to shout out Roddy Gayle and New Zealand native Oscar Goodman, who controlled the scoring and interior throughout the Maize/Blue runs. I left Michigan Pro Day pretty optimistic about what this team could accomplish in the 2025-2026 season. Little did I know they would put up seven 100+-point team performances (three consecutive) and six wins by 40+ points by late December, which broke numerous Big Ten and program records.

Knowing what I know now, I had to jump at the opportunity to see this Michigan Wolverines team in person again. There’s only so much the film and the stats can tell you, but your eyes can tell you a completely different analysis. Throughout the game, I wrote in my ‘scouting notebook’ AKA my notes, which I will share with every prospect listed breakdown—so you all can get a better look inside my brain and my process when evaluating NBA Draft Prospects in person.

So, I traveled to Ann Arbor, Michigan, this past weekend to get another in-person look at the #3-ranked Michigan Wolverines. However, I ended up witnessing their first loss this season, with Michigan losing 91-88 to Wisconsin. Maybe my being a Michigan State grad had something to do with it? (Kidding, I think?). A second-half three-point shooting surge led by Aleksas Bieliauskas (five made threes) and John Blackwell (four made threes) propelled them to a thrilling victory in Ann Arbor. Going into the game, Wisconsin was not a great matchup for Michigan — particularly for Aday Mara, as he struggled on the perimeter defending the pick-and-pop ability of Bieliauskas and Nolan Winter. Michigan struggled as a whole offensively as well, with Yaxel Lendeborg struggling to get a shot attempt off the whole game and Elliot Cadeau having to step up as an offensive engine. Even with Michigan not playing their best basketball, there was one prospect that specifically impressed me—Morez Johnson Jr., who was a key component for the Wolverines on both sides of the ball in this game.