The No. 1 Michigan Wolverines led wire-to-wire against the No. 1 Arizona Wildcats in the Final Four on Saturday night. Michigan won 91-73 to advance to the men’s NCAA Tournament National Championship game, where the Wolverines will face the No. 2 UConn Huskies.
The only blemish on an otherwise spotless performance by Michigan came in the form of star senior forward Yaxel Lendeborg. The Big Ten Player of the Year was driving for a layup when his foot landed on Motiejus Krivas’ foot with just under nine minutes to play in the first half.
Lendeborg tumbled and slapped the floor in frustration. He was able to sink two free throws before limping to the locker room, where he remained until the start of the second half. Sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson relayed on the TBS and TNT broadcast that Lendeborg suffered an MCL sprain and an ankle injury.
Lendeborg finished with 11 points, three rebounds, one assist, and one steal in 14 minutes.
After the game, Wolfson asked Lendeborg about his ankle and knee.
“I mean, it’s a weird feeling to have the pain that I’m having right now,” Lendeborg said. “I’ve never experienced it before. Coach said at worst it’s like an MCL sprain, and then obviously, I rolled my ankle, so there’s that.”
Do Michigan faithful need to worry about Lendeborg’s availability against UConn in the national championship on Monday night?
But I’m gonna push through. There’s no way I’m missing the game on Monday night. No matter what goes on. So, I’m gonna play unless I can’t walk at all.”
Lendeborg has been the Wolverines’ leading scorer (15.2 points per game) while also averaging seven rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 1.2 steals for 36-3 Michigan.
Michigan last won a men’s basketball national title in 1989. The Wolverines appeared in the 2018 national championship game but lost to Villanova.
Meanwhile, this will be UConn’s third national championship game appearance in four years. Under head coach Dan Hurley, the Huskies won back-to-back national titles in 2023 and 2024.
Michigan and UConn will tip off at 8:50 p.m. EST at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Monday night.
See more about Lendeborg’s injury below.
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