No. 1 Michigan turned yesterday in Chicago into a full-on rout, blasting No. 6 Tennessee 95-62 at the United Center and cruising into the Final Four. Yaxel Lendeborg bullied his way to 27 points in a physical, two-way performance as the Wolverines controlled the game from the opening tip. The win sends Michigan to Indianapolis for the national semifinals next weekend.
Photographer Jacob Hamilton captured the afternoon from courtside, and according to MLive, Lendeborg closed with 27 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists while Michigan smothered Tennessee's trademark second-chance scoring. The Wolverines built a huge cushion before halftime and never let it shrink, stretching their grip on both ends. The MLive gallery highlights how Michigan's length and bench depth kept Tennessee off the glass and off balance all afternoon.
Top seed holds up in the Midwest
Michigan arrived in Chicago as the Midwest's No. 1 seed and played like it, finishing off a dominant tournament run that already featured wins over Howard, Saint Louis and Alabama. According to CBS Sports, the Wolverines sat on the top line of the region as the bracket laid out their path to the Final Four. That balance of size, steady guard play and disruption on the defensive glass proved too much for a Tennessee team that had leaned on offensive rebounds all season.
Arizona awaits in Indianapolis
Arizona punched its Final Four ticket with a 79-64 win over Purdue, as reported by AP, setting up a Michigan-Arizona national semifinal. The NCAA's schedule confirms the Final Four will be played at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 4, according to NCAA.com. The Wildcats' inside scoring and the physical presence of freshman Koa Peat will test Michigan's front line and overall size.
What to watch
All eyes stay on Lendeborg, whose 27-point outburst on Sunday extended a postseason surge that helped force Tennessee into contested looks and rushed possessions. Michigan's success in choking off offensive rebounds, a Tennessee strength, flipped the matchup, and the Wolverines' depth allowed coach Dusty May to keep rotating fresh defenders into key assignments, according to MLive. It is Michigan's first trip to the Final Four in eight years, and that combination of depth and defense figures to be the central storyline in Indianapolis.
The NCAA's official schedule and broadcast partners list game times and viewing options for the Final Four, according to NCAA.com. For Michigan, the celebration is brief as the focus shifts to preparation, with the Wolverines packing for Indianapolis and a national semifinal date on April 4.
