Michigan Wolverines head coach Dusty May reminded the reporter about the Elite Eight classic between the UConn Huskies and the Duke Blue Devils while trying to explain why he decided to bring back Yaxel Lendeborgh in the second half despite the injury.
Lendeborg rolled his ankle while driving to the basket in the first half of the Final Four game against Arizona. He also suffered an MCL sprain on his left knee on the same play. After shooting down his pair of free throws, he exited the game in visible pain. At that point, many believed he would not return.
However, in the second half, May brought back Lendeborg, who delivered a pair of 3-pointers to give the momentum to the Wolverines, which they took with them in the 91-73 win. Overall, Lendeborg played 15 minutes for 11 points.
Lendeborg’s return raised questions in the press conference, especially when May was made aware that Michigan was having a good lead already and didn’t necessarily have to bring back the injured forward. However, May gave the reporter a reality check, asking him to watch the UConn vs Duke game, where the Huskies came back from a 19-point deficit to win the game 73-72.
“Well, apparently you guys missed the UConn-Duke game,” May said. “The game was already decided and we were playing Duke tomorrow. They were up 19, correct, in the second half. And who won? So these, being out, and you’re playing Arizona, one of the best teams, I mean, statistically the number one or two team all year in the country, and you’re up 20 with 10 minutes left, with eight and a half minutes left.
“We didn’t feel quite as confident as you guys did that we could just put the kids to bed. And he came in and just, L.A. was in foul trouble, and so he just held it down. So yeah, obviously, we felt like the game was still in hand.”
Dusty May Will Likely Have Yaxel Lendeborg’s Services For Championship Game
Despite the injury, if Yaxel Lendeborg thinks he can’t walk, then only the Michigan star will not suit up for the game. In any other scenario, Lendeborg is ready to play through injury as the opportunity to fight for the national championship doesn’t come around often.
“Coach said at worst, like MCL sprain,” Lendeborg said. “ And obviously, I rolled my ankle. I’m gonna push through. There’s no way I’m missing the game on Monday night, no matter what goes on. I’m gonna play unless I can’t walk at all.”
If it were a normal regular season game, May wouldn’t have allowed Lendeborg to play through injury; however, national championship is at stake and May will need all hands on deck.
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