Michigan’s All-American forward Yaxel Lendeborg sprained his MCL and re-injured his ankle during the Wolverines’ dominant Final Four win over Arizona, but insists he will suit up for Monday’s national
Michigan’s path to the national championship game nearly came at a devastating cost. Forward Yaxel Lendeborg, the Wolverines’ first-team All-American and one of the most important players in college basketball this season, suffered a left ankle sprain and an MCL sprain in his left knee during Michigan’s dominant 91-73 dismantling of Arizona in the Final Four at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Saturday night.
The injury occurred in the first half when Lendeborg stepped on the foot of Arizona’s Motiejus Krivas while driving to the rim. His ankle rolled and his knee buckled simultaneously, and in that moment Lendeborg feared his tournament was over. The 6-foot-9, 240-pound senior said he had to take time to collect himself mentally before getting any clarity on the diagnosis.
The news, thankfully for Michigan, turned out to be better than initially feared. Lendeborg returned after halftime, and while he was clearly not operating at full capacity, he still managed to knock down a pair of 3-pointers. He re-entered the game with just over seven minutes remaining when he sensed his team needed him after Arizona trimmed the deficit to 19. At the final buzzer, Lendeborg had a black brace on his left ankle and an ice pack wrapped around his left knee — but his message to reporters afterward left no room for ambiguity.
No doubt about Monday night
When asked whether there was any chance he would sit out Monday’s national championship game against UConn, Lendeborg did not hesitate. He stated flatly that he intends to play no matter what, adding that the only scenario in which he would not take the floor is if he literally could not stand up. Coach Dusty May reinforced that confidence on Sunday, confirming that he expects Lendeborg to play and that an MRI returned clean results — a significant relief for a program one win away from a national title.
His teammates made clear they are not concerned about what version of Lendeborg shows up on Monday. Michigan forward Will Tschetter expressed complete confidence in his teammate’s ability to contribute regardless of the physical limitations, noting how much Lendeborg has meant to the Wolverines throughout the season. Even while sidelined during stretches of the second half against Arizona, Lendeborg was visible on the bench, riding an exercise bike and cheering on his teammates through every big moment.
Michigan looked unbeatable against Arizona
Whatever uncertainty surrounds Lendeborg‘s physical state, Saturday’s performance offered a reminder of just how formidable this Michigan team is even when its best player is compromised. The Wolverines were dominant from start to finish, leading by 10 after just six minutes, by 18 at halftime and by as many as 30 midway through the second half.
Center Aday Mara was the standout performer, posting a career-high 26 points on 11-for-16 shooting from the field. Forward Morez Johnson Jr. contributed 10 points, seven rebounds and four assists, and the massive Michigan frontcourt collectively made life miserable for Arizona inside, contesting nearly everything at the rim. Michigan also connected on 44.4% of its 3-point attempts, a combination that coach Dusty May suggested made the Wolverines particularly difficult to guard given how Arizona likes to defend.
What it means for the UConn matchup
The blueprint Michigan established against Arizona carries direct implications for Monday’s title game. UConn is a team that thrives on interior scoring but has been inconsistent from beyond the arc throughout the season. The same size and length advantages that suffocated Arizona figure to present similar problems for the Huskies, particularly if they cannot find a shooting rhythm from 3-point range.
UConn also has its own injury concern to manage, with guard Solo Ball listed as questionable after spraining his foot during the Huskies’ Final Four win over Illinois. The convergence of injury uncertainty on both sides sets the stage for a championship game that could hinge as much on physical availability as on strategy and execution.
Source: Originally reported by Yahoo Sports