Chicago awaits as the Wolverines oust Saint Louis in convincing fashion. Locked in a tight one in the first half, Michigan basketball marched on with a performance that is modeled for a No. 1 seed. Saint Louis couldn't catch up to the talent that Michigan basketball is blessed with.
Here are three of the takeaways from Michigan's seventh trip to the Sweet 16 in the last decade.
Michigan's blocked 17 shots in the two wins over Saint Louis and Howard
All 5 Michigan starters scored in double figures and blocked a shot, the first time that has happened in an NCAA Tournament game since blocked shots became official in 1986.
— Jared Berson (@JaredBerson) March 21, 2026
Jared Berson on Twitter tweeted that this is the first time since 1986 that all five starters blocked a shot and scored in double figures. Michigan blocked nine shots, and the starters scored 79 of the 95 points altogether. Nine blocks is the most Michigan has had in any NCAA tournament game. In the two tournament wins, Michigan's interior defense has been better than it was a week ago, and the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year has seven blocks himself. The Wolverines only accumulated three in the loss to Purdue, meaning Michigan's size was a problem for both the Bison and the Billikens.
Michigan has now beaten 24 opponents by double digits this season
33 wins and 24 of them came by more than 10 points. 15 of those wins are by 20 or more, which is the most since the 1991-92 Indiana Hoosiers. Saint Louis was hanging with Michigan in the first, but the Wolverines started playing like they were in the Player's Era tournament again. Yaxel Lendeborg dunked on a Billikens defender that ignited a spark in him and his teammates. In the two wins to advance to the Sweet 16, Michigan is shooting around 60% and has scored the most points in the bracket so far.
Michigan’s 95-72 win over Saint Louis in the Rd of 32 is the Wolverines’ 15th (!) win by 20+ points this season.
— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) March 21, 2026
That’s the MOST by a Big Ten team in a single season since 1991-92 (Indiana, 15).
Dominance all year long. pic.twitter.com/BWQNebov5R
Charles Barkley says Michigan basketball is on its way to Indianapolis
The Hall of Famer has said a lot of idiotic things as a television analyst before, but this may not be one of them. Barkley exclaimed that the Wolverines can pack their bags and make their reservations to the Final Four after Saturday's commanding win. The Wolverines held a top-10 offense to 15 points under its season average. Saint Louis has scored 100 points eight times this season. Not to be outdone, Michigan has nine.