Michigan has been so dominant in the NCAA Tournament, that the Wolverines are doing things that haven't been done since the days of Lew Alcindor.
The CBS Sports research team deserves credit for this one, but Matt Norlander posted that Michigan's 15-point (plus) lead at the half of the Elite 8 and the Final Four games makes them the first team to do that since 1968, since a UCLA team that went 29-1 and had Lew Alcindor.
CBS Sports research: Michigan is the first team since 1967-68 UCLA to lead by 15-plus at halftime in the Elite Eight and in the Final Four.
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) April 5, 2026
That team went 29-1 and had a guy named Alcindor — the greatest college player there ever was — starting at center.
Michigan's historic NCAA Tournament dominance continues
Many consider Alcindor to be the greatest college basketball player of all time. Michigan basketball might not have a player on that level, but as Elliot Cadeau said, it feels like they have nine starters. It sure looked that way against Arizona on Saturday night in the Final Four.
Michigan, despite playing most of the first half without Yaxel Lendeborg, still led by 18 points at the intermission.
Going into the game, it was supposed to be the game of the year. Some talked about it as the best matchup in Final Four history, at least in the modern era of college basketball.
Yet, Michigan made it look easy. Arizona couldn't handle the Wolverines' length. Michigan shot lights out, and the Wolverines ended up scoring 90 points, making them the first team ever in the NCAA Tournament to score 90 points and win the first five games by double digits.
That's all well and good. But Dan Hurley said Monday night will be "life and death." That's who Michigan is stepping into the arena with, and they better be ready, because by then, the historical beatdown of Arizona won't matter.