Michigan Basketball rolls past Alabama to clinch berth in Elite Eight

The No. 1-seed Michigan Wolverines rolled past the No. 4-seed Alabama Crimson Tide 90-77 in the Sweet 16 in Chicago on Friday, clinching a berth in the Elite Eight for the fifth time this century and the first time since 2021.

Yaxel Lendeborg scored a team-high 23 points, while also chipping in 12 rebounds and seven assists to help the Wolverines improve to 34-3 overall — a new school record for wins in a single season — and inch closer to winning a national championship.

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Here’s the recap, highlights and stats.

FIRST HALF

Michigan got off to a slow start as Alabama knocked down three three-pointers in the opening stages to take an 11-2 lead. The Wolverines quickly responded, going on a 9-0 run to tie the game as Lendeborg scored five consecutive points.

Just moments later, Trey McKenney came off the bench and made an instant impact, hitting back to back three-pointers to put Michigan up 17-15. Lendeborg continued his hot start, drilling a three-pointer to tie it 22-22 with 9:59 left in the half.

Both teams traded punches throughout the first half, as Alabama seized momentum behind Labaron Philon Jr., who scored eight straight points. That was followed by Elliot Cadeau making a jumper and a three-pointer to keep Michigan within striking distance.

Aday Mara also got into the mix, throwing down a dunk and blocking a shot that led to a layup by Lendeborg. Coming out of a media timeout, Roddy Gayle Jr. beat the shot clock buzzer with a floater to trim Alabama’s lead to 38-35.

The ensuing minutes were owned by Michigan, making six straight shots and putting together a 14-3 run to take a 47-41 lead with 1:58 left. During the run, Gayle connected on a pair of three-pointers and McKenney hit a triple of his own.

The Wolverines held an advantage in most statistical categories in the first half – including a 20-3 edge in bench points and 14-10 edge in fast-break points – but Philon led all players with 19 points and five rebounds to keep Alabama in…

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Publish date : 2026-03-28 02:20:00

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