At halftime of Michigan's national championship win over UConn, Yaxel Lendeborg said he that "felt awful."
It wasn't what Michigan basketball fans wanted to hear, but Yaxel is brutally honest. He was also accurate. He didn't play well. His shot was off, and with a knee/ankle injury, it wasn't surprising.
Lendeborg scored 13 points. He was 4-of-13 from the field and didn't make a 3-pointer (0-for-5). However, he found a way to make four field goals, including some tough finishes. He grabbed two rebounds, made all five of his free throws, and was stellar on defense.
Flat out, Michigan would not have won the national championship without Lendeborg gutting it out for 36 minutes. He clearly wasn't 100 percent, but only came out of the game twice, for short stints.
Lendeborg didn't have his usual explosion around the rim. However, his length and ability to switch onto any shooter changed the game. It was one factor as the Huskies shot just 27 percent from 3-point range and 31 overall, their lowest total of the season. UConn made just 34 percent of its two-point shots, something else Lendeborg played a part in.
Even on one leg, Michigan basketball couldn't live without Yaxel Lendeborg
Some wondered why Lendeborg was on the floor so much, despite being injured, but Michigan clearly couldn't live without his length. Even on one bad leg, Yaxel is 6-foot-9. That still makes a big different when you are shooting the ball.
Lendeborg didn't win the most outstanding player award. It went to Elliot Cadeau, who absolutely deserved it after he scored 18 points, dished out two assists, grabbed three boards, and made 8-of-9 from the charity stripe. He controlled the game.
Yaxel was great, though, especially considering the circumstances, and his impact against the Huskies went well beyond the box score.