Michigan wasted no time asserting their dominance in the national championship race by crushing Arizona in a 91-73 victory in the Final Four. This win marked Michigan’s fifth consecutive game scoring over 90 points in the 2026 NCAA tournament. Despite some early setbacks with star player Yaxel Lendeborg picking up two quick fouls and an ankle injury, Michigan still outplayed Arizona.
In the first half, Michigan led by 16 points as Arizona struggled to keep up. Even with key players like Lendeborg, Morez Johnson, Aday Mara, and Trey McKenney facing foul trouble, the Wolverines maintained their lead. Michigan’s defense forced turnovers and star player Jaden Bradley of Arizona faced foul trouble as well.
In the second half, Lendeborg returned from his injury to dominate the game, extending Michigan’s lead further. Despite shooting only 42% from the field, Michigan displayed solid teamwork with 12 assists on 17 field goals. Mara and Johnson also made significant contributions to secure the win.
Michigan’s victory now sets up a showdown with UConn in the national title game. This win also puts Michigan in contention for their first title since 1989, breaking a long drought for the team and the Big Ten conference. Meanwhile, Arizona, led by coach Tommy Lloyd, fell short in the semifinals despite an impressive season, leaving them with challenges for the future.
