The Final Four stage is set. On the first weekend of April, the nation’s top programs will battle for a championship that etches legacies into college basketball history.
March Madness is unpredictable and thrived on chaos; its most unforgettable moments often defy logic, exceeding even the wildest expectations. It’s the big dance - the most magical sports platform. And while anything can happen, not all contenders are built the same. Right now, the Michigan Wolverines look like the team to beat.
Right now, the Michigan Wolverines look like the team to beat. They are the favourite. So far, the Wolverines have been cruising through the tournament – dominating every game. They are tall, physical, and tough. Michigan has earned the No. 1 seed in the Midwest region, and they have lived up to the expectations.
Survive and advance has not been a theme for the strong Michigan team. They beat Howard 101-80 in the first round, then dismantled Saint Louis 95-72 in the second. The highly anticipated Sweet 16 matchup against Alabama briefly tested them, but only for a half. Down by two points, Michigan returned from the locker room swinging. They outscored the Crimson Tide 43-28 in the second 20-minute period and won 90-77.
But Michigan’s largest victory came in the Elite 8. Tennessee was looking to punch its first-ever ticket to the Final Four, but Michigan’s dominance didn’t give the Volunteers a slight chance, as they won 95-62. Undeniably, no team has impressed more this year than the Wolverines. They are looking for their second national championship in school history and first since 1989.
Dangerous on both ends
“The 1989 Michigan team is one of the first teams that I remember,” said head coach Dusty May. “With Terry Mills, Rumeal Robinson, and all those guys.” That time, May was 12 years old. Since then, Michigan has played in the title game four times – and always lost. The Wolverines strive to break the curse and have never been closer to ending their season on top.
The list of reasons why Michigan is destined to be crowned the champion runs deep. The team boasts the best two-way game in the Final Four – they don’t just rely on their offensive arsenal but also apply high pressure, aggressive defense that forces opponents into tough shots and uncomfortable situations. Michigan eliminates transition opportunities and quick baskets; they want to force slower-paced half-court play calls that allow them to be fully ready to defend.
Offensively, the Wolverines are extremely balanced in every aspect. They thrive in the paint – possessing height and strength, Michigan dominates the glass, finishes close to the rim, and takes high-percentage shots. But they can deliver from beyond the arc as well, shooting 36% as a team. They score 86.8 points on average, and they can hit from all three levels. There’s no easy way to stop Michigan’s efficient and productive offensive power.
Team first
The U-M also benefits from an extremely evenly distributed contribution. Four players average double figures, with a fifth just behind. There’s no singular focal point - and that’s exactly the problem for opponents. That’s why Michigan is dangerous. Every player has the potential to have a big game and deliver in clutch moments.
“Nobody cares about their stats on this team,” said forward Yaxel Lendeborg. “We don’t have ‘a man.’ We don’t have the best player on this team. Everybody on this team will make that extra pass for each other, no matter what’s going on.” Ironically, Lendeborg is the best player on the team, yet he doesn’t see that himself. He puts his team first, and it shows through Michigan’s results.
“We weren’t a superteam,” May said on Sunday, “but these guys became super teammates.”
However, it is fair to say that Lendeborg is a big reason why the Wolverines are on a historic run. Clearly the most talented guy on the roster, he leads Michigan in scoring with 15.2 points per game and ranks second in rebounds with 7, while adding 3.3 assists. At 6-foot-9, he can drain it from three, too, shooting 37.2% from beyond the arc and 52% from the field. As a graduate student, he’s been putting up tremendous numbers in his first year in Ann Arbor.
From junior college to the NBA
Lendeborg didn’t start his collegiate journey at Michigan; in fact, he didn’t even start playing basketball until he was 18 years old. He only played 11 high school games before enrolling at Arizona Western Community College. After three standout seasons, Lendeborg transferred to the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He played two years with the Blazers and turned into their go-to player. For his final year of eligibility, he joined the Wolverines.
The New Jersey native kept shining, as the next level proved to not be a challenge for the productive, versatile, athletic forward. Lendeborg has made an immediate impact, guided Michigan to a 31-3 regular season record, and took home the Big Ten Player of the Year Award. He was also named to the Big Ten All-Defensive Team. He possesses a high basketball IQ, leads by example, and influences the game on both ends of the floor.
He has been unstoppable through the NCAA tournament. In the Sweet 16 against Alabama, he put up 23 points and 12 rebounds. He tormented Tennessee with 27 points and 7 rebounds. He’s been playing confidently and freely and might be the most effective player in the Final Four. Lendeborg can give the U-M the edge they need to stand on top. His tournament surge significantly lifted his NBA draft stakes; originally projected to get selected in the second half of the first round, some experts now have him as high as a top 10 pick.
Resilient playmaker
Another pillar of Michigan’s success is named Elliot Cadeau. After transferring from North Carolina, the junior point guard is having his best collegiate season yet. He averages 10.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 5.8 assists, and he is the engine that keeps Michigan’s offense smooth. Masterful at creating opportunities for his teammates and himself, he is aggressive, pushes the tempo, and organises the game.
“I would say that he does an amazing job dissecting the offense,” said Michigan guard Nimari Burnett. “He makes it so much easier for us all around the court, just getting us easy shots. I'm just joyful to play with him every single game.”
Just like Lendeborg, Cadeau had to overcome obstacles as well. He is half-deaf in one ear and had to undergo eye surgery in his freshman year to treat a progressive eye disorder causing blurred vision. He has dealt with asthma since childhood. None of it stopped him from blossoming into one of the most dynamic collegiate players.
“He’s a savant with what he’s doing,” May said. “He probably doesn’t even realise a lot of the things he’s doing because he’s so intelligent. He’s able to get us into close-out opportunities without really having to run any offense. His ability to read the floor, read the game, and manipulate defenses is incredibly impressive."
Now comes the biggest test yet. The red-hot Michigan Wolverines will face Arizona in the semi-finals on Saturday, and it will be a heavyweight battle of the frontcourts as the Wildcats also boast a strong presence in the paint. It will be the first big challenge for Michigan, but based on everything the Wolverines have shown, they don’t just look like contenders. They look inevitable.