Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg Overcomes Foul Trouble and Injury to Propel Wolverines into Title Game

INDIANAPOLIS — The script could not have been written any crueler for Yaxel Lendeborg, yet the senior forward and emotional engine of these Michigan Wolverines still finished Saturday night smiling, ice bag strapped to his left leg, thoughts already drifting to Monday’s national championship.

Less than two minutes into the national semifinal against streaking Arizona, Lendeborg picked up two whistles and took an early seat, the latest twist in a Final Four evening that began with clanged warm-up jumpers and a detour around concert equipment on the Lucas Oil Stadium floor. When he re-entered, the UAB transfer lasted only 3:09 before stepping on Motiejus Krivas’s foot, rolling his left ankle, and crumpling to the hardwood. He slapped the court in pain, rose to sink two free throws, then disappeared into the tunnel for more than 15 minutes of treatment on both the ankle and an aching knee.

“I cried in the tent,” Lendeborg admitted. “I thought my tournament was over.”

Trainers delivered the best-case scenario—an MCL strain at worst—and teammates delivered the knockout performance required in his absence. Sparked by Elliot Cadeau’s 13-point, 10-assist masterpiece, Aday Mara’s career-high 26 on 11-of-16 shooting, and Trey McKenney’s 16-point burst off the bench, Michigan turned a potential crisis into a 91-73 statement that sends the Big Ten champions into Monday’s final against UConn.

Lendeborg returned to test the leg, burying back-to-back threes early in the second half, then spent the closing minutes waving a towel as the lead ballooned past 20. He finished with 11 points and three rebounds in 14 hobbled minutes—numbers that pale beside his season averages yet may have never felt more meaningful.

“Yaxel at 80, 70, 60 percent—whatever he’s at—we’ll take it,” forward Will Tschetter said. “That dude has brought us so far.”

Coach Dusty May praised the collective response, noting that Lendeborg’s willingness to accept any role sets the tone for a roster that believes it can win regardless of adversity. The Wolverines shot 53 percent, assisted on 21 baskets, and held Arizona to its lowest point total since mid-February while ending the Wildcats’ 13-game win streak.

Now only the Huskies stand between Michigan and the program’s first title since 1989—and between Lendeborg and a storybook finish to a season that nearly cost him the stage it provided.

“I’m super excited to play those guys,” he said of UConn. “They’re legendary, historic, and it’s going to be fun.”

Forty minutes remain, and for a player who conquered early fouls, a rolled ankle, a knee brace, and a post-game drug-test detour, the biggest stage in college basketball suddenly feels like exactly where he belongs.