CHICAGO — Michigan defeated Alabama 90-77 on Friday night, propelling them into the NCAA tournament’s Elite Eight for the first time in five years. Yaxel Lendeborg was pivotal in this success, delivering a stellar all-around performance with 23 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists.
Trey McKenney and Elliot Cadeau each contributed 17 points, while Roddy Gayle Jr. added 16. These efforts helped top-seeded Michigan establish a new school record with its 34th victory of the season.
With crucial input from McKenney and Gayle, the Wolverines (34-3) enjoyed a significant 33-6 advantage in reserve scoring. Yet, the dynamic Lendeborg emerged as the central figure, as his squad asserted control during the second half.
Their next challenge for the Wolverines is Sunday’s Midwest Region championship game against the victor of the Tennessee-Iowa State matchup.
For fourth-seeded Alabama, which had advanced to the Elite Eight in each of the prior two seasons, Labaron Philon Jr. amassed 35 points. Latrell Wrightsell Jr. contributed an additional 15 points.
Alabama (25-10) again played without the presence of key guard Aden Holloway, who was absent from the school’s postseason run after being indefinitely sidelined subsequent to a March 16 arrest on serious drug-related charges.
Despite Holloway’s absence, the Crimson Tide remained competitive alongside the Wolverines for a significant portion of the fast-paced contest between two of the tournament’s most prolific offensive squads. However, the dynamic shifted entirely when Lendeborg, the Big Ten player of the year, began to dominate at the onset of the second half.