Top-seeded Michigan rolled past No. 6 Tennessee 95-62 to capture the Midwest Regional title and punch its ticket to the Final Four in Indianapolis. It marks the program’s ninth appearance on college basketball’s biggest stage, its first since 2018, and a major milestone in just the second season under head coach Dusty May. Michigan’s turnaround makes the moment even more striking — just two years ago, the Wolverines endured an eight-win season and one of their worst conference records in decades.
The Wolverines seized control midway through the first half with a devastating 21-0 run, flipping a narrow deficit into a commanding lead that only grew from there. By the break, Michigan was ahead 48-26, and any hope of a Tennessee comeback quickly faded as the margin ballooned to more than 30 in the closing minutes. This dominant stretch mirrored Michigan’s identity all season: powerful inside play, efficient ball movement, and relentless defense. The team, now 35-3—a single-season program record—has firmly established itself as a national title contender.
Leading the charge was standout forward Yaxel Lendeborg, who continued his remarkable tournament run with 27 points, seven rebounds, and four assists without committing a turnover. His back-to-back performances helped fuel a massive weekend and reinforced his reputation as one of the most versatile players in the country. He also etched his name in program history, becoming the first Wolverine since Juwan Howard in 1994 to post three straight NCAA tournament games with at least 20 points.
Centers Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr. combined for a strong interior presence, contributing double-digit scoring and anchoring a defense that held Tennessee to just 32% shooting. The Wolverines also protected the rim effectively, finishing with eight blocks. Elliot Cadeau dished out 10 assists and continued a rare streak of high-level distribution in the tournament.
Tennessee, meanwhile, struggled to keep pace. Despite a 21-point effort from Ja’Kobi Gillespie, the Volunteers shot just 5-for-26 from beyond the arc and couldn’t recover from the first-half collapse. The loss marks their third consecutive Elite Eight exit, with the program still chasing its first Final Four appearance.
Next up is a marquee showdown with fellow No. 1 seed Arizona in the national semifinal.
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