(BCSNN) — Michigan is heading back to the Final Four — and it got there with one of the most overwhelming Elite Eight performances in program history.
The third‑ranked and top‑seeded Wolverines unleashed a devastating 21‑0 first‑half run and never let up, rolling past No. 6 seed Tennessee 95–62 on Sunday at the United Center. Michigan (35–3) built a 20‑point halftime lead, its largest in more than seven weeks, and cruised to its ninth Final Four appearance.
The Wolverines’ advancement continues a remarkable streak of success on college basketball’s biggest stage. Michigan is now 7–1 all‑time in national semifinal games and will make its third Final Four trip since 2013.
Midwest Region Most Outstanding Player Yaxel Lendeborg delivered another commanding performance, scoring 27 points on 10 made field goals while adding seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks. It marked his third straight game leading Michigan in scoring.
Morez Johnson Jr. added 12 points — eight from the free‑throw line — and five rebounds. Aday Mara posted 11 points and two blocks, while freshman Trey McKenney chipped in 10 points off the bench.
The game flipped permanently at the 10:52 mark of the first half. After Johnson hit a free throw to break a tie, Michigan erupted for 21 unanswered points over five minutes, with six different Wolverines scoring. Lendeborg fueled the surge with eight points, and the lead ballooned to 35–16 before Tennessee could regroup.
The run extended to 27–4 as Michigan held the Volunteers to just 10 points over the final 11 minutes of the half.
Mara opened the scoring with a drop‑step dunk, and Michigan’s balance showed early — seven players scored the team’s first 14 points. After a brief lull, Lendeborg’s three‑point play ignited the decisive run, followed by a Roddy Gayle Jr. corner three and transition baskets from Elliot Cadeau, McKenney and Nimari Burnett.
Tennessee (25–12) briefly answered with a 6‑0 burst, but Lendeborg’s late layup sent Michigan into halftime with a commanding 48–26 lead.
Michigan maintained complete control after the break, hitting five of its first six shots. Mara buried a three, Lendeborg extended the lead to 30 after a technical foul, and the Wolverines continued to punish Tennessee inside and in transition.
Oscar Goodman and Charlie May closed the scoring, with May’s right‑corner three — Michigan’s 10th of the game — sealing the 33‑point victory.
Michigan advances to the Final Four at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, where it will face No. 2 Arizona on Saturday, April 4. Tip time will be announced later, with the game airing on TBS.
