Michigan Crushes Tennessee 95-62 to Reach First Final Four Since 2018 Behind Yaxel Lendeborg’s Midwest Takeover

Michigan did not tiptoe into the Final Four. The Wolverines kicked the door in.

Top seeded Michigan overwhelmed No. 6 seed Tennessee 95-62 on Sunday at the United Center, earning the program’s first Final Four trip since 2018 and setting up a national semifinal against Arizona on Saturday in Indianapolis.

The game turned into a one sided track meet disguised as an Elite Eight matchup, with Michigan dropping Tennessee behind a first half avalanche that never let up. Michigan used a decisive 21-0 run in the first half to flip the game from a two point deficit into a blowout, and the Wolverines carried that momentum straight through the break.

Here’s What They’re Not Telling You About Your Retirement

Forward Yaxel Lendeborg led the way with 27 points, seven rebounds and four assists, continuing a regional run that left little debate about who was driving Michigan’s engine. Lendeborg was named the Midwest Region’s Most Outstanding Player, and his production put him in rare Michigan tournament company: he became the first Wolverine to score at least 23 points in three straight NCAA tournament games since Juwan Howard did it in 1994.

Michigan’s supporting cast showed up with enough force to make the result look inevitable by halftime. Morez Johnson Jr. added 12 points, Aday Mara scored 11 and blocked two shots, and Elliot Cadeau handed out 10 assists as Michigan’s offense kept finding clean looks. Michigan shot 51.8% from the field while holding Tennessee to 31.6%, a gap that turned every Volunteers miss into another Michigan possession and another chance to extend the margin.

The backbreaker stretch came fast and felt final. Tennessee led early, then hit the wall. After the Volunteers took a 16-14 lead with 11:22 left in the first half, they missed 10 straight shots as Michigan ripped off the 21-0 run that effectively ended the night.

Lendeborg later described that moment as the point where Michigan’s identity finally locked in.

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

“That’s when our defense started clicking,” Lendeborg said. “We started running out on the break and started doing what we do best, and once that happened, man, I think the game was pretty much called right there.”

Michigan entered the tournament with the profile of a team that can score in bunches, and the Wolverines have now made a habit of putting opponents away with pace and depth. Under second year coach Dusty May, Michigan became the first school to win at least four NCAA tournament games by double digits while scoring at least 90 points in each of those wins. Michigan also posted its 35th win, a single season team record, and will return to the sport’s biggest stage for the ninth Final Four appearance in program history.

For Tennessee, it was another Elite Eight ending that stings because it was never really close after Michigan seized control. Senior guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie scored 21 points on 8 of 22 shooting, and Felix Okpara finished with 10 points and seven rebounds, but Tennessee could not find enough offense to survive the early Michigan surge. Second leading scorer Nate Ament was held to seven points on 2 of 12 shooting before fouling out with 2:16 left.

It also marked Tennessee’s third straight Elite Eight loss under coach Rick Barnes, who is still chasing the program’s first men’s Final Four appearance.

Now Michigan moves on with a matchup that already feels like a heavyweight fight on paper: Wolverines vs Wildcats, Midwest champion vs West champion, in Indianapolis. Lendeborg was already looking ahead Sunday.

“We always wanted to play against them, that team,” Lendeborg said. “They’re a really, really good team, so it’s going to be a super fun matchup.”

Michigan has two wins left to chase its first national title since 1989. Tennessee is headed home again one step short. And the Wolverines, after turning an Elite Eight into a blowout, look exactly like what their seed says they are.

Warning: Account balances and purchasing power no longer tell the same story. Know in 2 minutes if your retirement is working for you.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.