Michigan's Yaxel Lendeborg is going to be the Big Ten Player of the Year.
If there was any question about that before Sunday's game against Michigan State, there isn't anymore. Not after Lendeborg delivered what can only be described as a Trey-Burke-like performance to clinch a season sweep for the Wolverines over the Spartans.
It wasn't easy. It took all 27 points, three rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and the steal that Lendeborg came up with in his final college game to improve Michigan basketball to 19-1 in conference play, as well as 29-2 overall thanks to the 90-80 win.
There were questions about how Michigan would function without LJ Cason. The solution was to put the ball in the hands of Yaxel more, and it was a genius move.
No matter how Michigan State defended him, it didn't matter. Lendeborg made 5-of-6 from 3-point range. He was 8-of-12 overall and perfect from the line.
Before the game, there was some talk about Jeremy Fears as a potential contender, but after Lendeborg was the best player on both ends of the floor in the fifth top-10 win of Big Ten play, it's clear that there were no other contenders.
Just give him the award already, and lock him in as a lottery pick.
Here are other gut reactions from Michigan's win over Michigan State.
Gut reactions from Michigan's win over Michigan State
Roddy Gayle was clutch: Someone needed to step up with LJ Cason injured. On Sunday, it was Gayle, who scored 15 points, grabbed four rebounds, and had three assists. People forget he averaged 13 points per game as a sophomore for Ohio State. Gayle is a savvy defender. He's one of the best on-ball defenders in the conference, and his offense is starting to look like it did during the Texas A&M win last season in the NCAA tournament.
Trey McKenney isn't a normal freshman: He continues to deliver time and time again. On Sunday, it was 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting. He made two 3-pointers and only had one turnover. If Michigan basketball gets 27 points combined from Gayle and McKenney, it will be just fine without Cason. If that's the case, it will probably cut down the nets in April.
Another milestone: Morez Johnson was elite, too. He had 18 points and seven boards. Nimari Burnett hit two big treys. It all led to a season sweep of Michigan State for the first time since 2014. I can't think of a better way to head into the postseason. This team has momentum and is a lock to be a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.