Yaxel Lendeborg: ‘I played super soft’ in first half of title game vs UConn

Michigan basketball had a lead over UConn at halftime of the national championship, but the Wolverines’ best player was far from happy.

Michigan big man Yaxel Lendeborg was interviewed by TBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson and gave a surprisingly candid response to her question about his condition.

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“I feel awful,” he said. “I missed the plays I don’t usually miss, I had many opportunities to take advantage of a smaller defender, haven’t been able to do it,” he said. “I played really soft in that first half and I’m gonna do way better in the second half.”

FOLLOW ALONG: Michigan vs UConn live updates, score in March Madness national title game

Lendeborg had four points on 1-for-5 shooting in the first half, shooting 2-for-2 from the free-throw line while playing all 20 minutes of the half.

Lendeborg and UConn forward Alex Karaban are the only two players who played all 20 minutes of the first half. Lendeborg also has two personal fouls, no rebounds, no assists and no turnovers.

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Even with Lendeborg not at 100%, the Wolverines took a four point lead into the break, with Morez Johnson Jr. leading the team with 10 points.

After the break, Lendeborg was back on the floor, but with a new leg sleeve on his injured left leg.

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Michigan basketball tips off vs UConn for 2026 NCAA championship

Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg (23) walks towards the locker room as the team arrive for the national championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Monday, April 6, 2026.

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Michigan basketball tips off vs UConn for 2026 NCAA championship

Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg (23) walks towards the locker room as the team arrive for the national championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Monday, April 6, 2026.

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Michigan basketball tips off vs UConn for 2026 NCAA championship

Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg (23) rides a golf cart towards the locker room as the team arrive for the national championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/yaxel-lendeborg-played-super-soft-020050650.html

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Publish date : 2026-04-07 02:00:00

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