Yaxel Lendeborg helped the Michigan Wolverines in their 90-77 win against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Sweet Sixteen encounter of the NCAA Tournament. Lendeborg scored 23 points, shooting 8 of 12 from the field, including 4-5 from the three-point line and 3-4 from the free throw line. He also had 12 rebounds, seven assists and two steals.
In the press conference after the game, Lendeborg revealed the reason behind his pose to start the second half with a 3-pointer. He pointed out one crucial mistake by Alabama. The Crimson Tide put freshman Amari Allen on duty against Lendeborg, leaving the Wolverines’ star “disrespected.”
“Honestly, I kind of felt a little disrespected having a freshman guarding me,” Lendeborg said. “But like, yes, I mean it was just, you know, just keep attacking the guy. I kind of had the hot hand at that moment. So, you know, I just kept trying to be aggressive and continue to try to find shots either for myself or for my team, you know, continue to create.
“And I think that’s the first time I made somebody fall since like middle school or like when we were playing in the park. So, you know, I just had to take that moment in and I was just super happy. You know, I don’t know if I showed that enough, but super happy that that happened.”
Allen was poor defensively against Lendeborg. Moreover, the Crimson Tide player was also not effective on offense, shooting just 1 of 6 from the field.
Michigan HC Lavishes Praise On Yaxel Lendeborg After Big Sweet 16 Performance
Yaxel Lendeborg took the game away from Alabama, especially in the second half to the point where there was no chance to return. His impressive shooting display along with timely defense on the other side helped the Wolverines take down the SEC opponent.
Wolverines head coach Dusty May praised the forward after his big game on Friday.
“We needed our guy to be our guy and he did it all night,” May said in his postgame TV interview.
Yaxel Lendeborg, Dusty May and Michigan now wait to learn about their Elite Eight Opponent in the Midwest region.
Read More News:
Where Is Tyran Stokes Going to College? Top 3 Landing Spots for Elite Prospect
5 Devastating NCAAB Injuries That Ended Seasons Ahead of March Madness ft. Caleb Wilson
Carmelo Anthony’s Son Kiyan Breaks Silence on Getting Benched Against No. 18 Virginia
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in baseball, tennis, college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
