And like clockwork, the Michigan Wolverines are moving on to the Elite Eight. After turning on the afterburners in the second half, Dusty May's squad cruised past the Alabama Crimson Tide by the final score of 90-77. As expected Yaxel Lendeborg led the way for Michigan with 23 points on 8-of-12 shooting, with 12 rebounds, seven assists, and two steals in Michigan's best win of the tournament.
When asked about his crossover 3-pointer made on a falling Amari Allen, he had this to say about it.
"Honestly, I kinda of felt a little disrespected having a freshman guarding me ... I think that's the first time I've made somebody fall since like middle school or playing at the park, so I just had to take that moment in."
Lendeborg made this game personal, as the former UAB standout did not feel Alabama recruited him.
Yaxel Lendeborg on his crossover three and celebration against Amari Allen 👀
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) March 28, 2026
"Honestly, I kinda felt a little disrespected having a freshman guarding me..." pic.twitter.com/IUtVrcwpRy
Michigan awaits the winner of No. 2 Iowa State and No. 6 Tennessee in the Elite Eight for the Midwest.
Yaxel Lendeborg can talk the talk before walking the walk with Michigan
Michigan is now three wins away from its first national championship in 37 years. While they were really not tested vs. Howard in the Round of 64 or Saint Louis in the Round of 32, Alabama did lead entering halftime. While the Crimson Tide did play with pace in the first half, effectively running Aday Mara off the floor at times, the bigs of Michigan were just too big for the Crimson Tide to ever contain.
Much will be made about Lendeborg's comments after the game. This is not the first time he has said something his head coach probably did not want him to, but he said it anyway. If Lendeborg was a different player, it would be a different matter. But when you are the best player on arguably the best team in the country, you can let things slide a little bit. Will their winning ways continue for Michigan?
At this time, it is going to take either Iowa State or Tennessee's best game to knock Michigan off its high horse in the Midwest Regional Final. Only in the Final Four could Michigan meet its match. Teams like Arizona and Duke loom large, but they have to get out of the second weekend unscathed before we get to that point. All that must be going through Nate Oats' head is why he did not land Lendeborg.
Let's be perfectly honest with ourselves here. It is Yaxel Lendeborg's world, and we are just living in it!