Michigan Dominates Tennessee, Advances to Final Four

Yaxel Lendeborg's 27 points lead Wolverines to 95-62 victory in NCAA Tournament

Mar. 29, 2026 at 9:41pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The top-seeded Michigan Wolverines rolled past Tennessee 95-62 in the NCAA Tournament's Midwest Region final on Sunday. Yaxel Lendeborg scored 27 points, Elliot Cadeau had 10 assists, and Michigan cruised into the Final Four with its 11th victory this season by at least 30 points. The Wolverines will face Arizona in the national semifinals on Saturday.

Why it matters

Michigan's dominant performance showcases the team's size, athleticism, and offensive firepower as they make their first Final Four appearance since 2018. The Wolverines' ability to overwhelm opponents with their depth and balanced scoring attack makes them a formidable contender for the national championship.

The details

Michigan jumped out to a 21-0 run in the first half to take control of the game, and the Wolverines never looked back. Lendeborg, the region's Most Outstanding Player, was efficient, going 10-for-19 from the field. Morez Johnson Jr. added 12 points, and Aday Mara had 11 points and two blocks. Tennessee struggled offensively, shooting just 32% from the field, with Ja'Kobi Gillespie leading the Volunteers with 21 points.

  • Michigan advanced to its first Final Four since 2018.
  • The Wolverines will face Arizona in the national semifinals on Saturday.

The players

Yaxel Lendeborg

A 6-foot-9 forward who scored 27 points and was named the Midwest Region's Most Outstanding Player.

Elliot Cadeau

Michigan's point guard who had 10 assists in the victory.

Morez Johnson Jr.

A Michigan player who scored 12 points in the game.

Aday Mara

Michigan's 7-foot-3 center who had 11 points and 2 blocks.

Ja'Kobi Gillespie

Tennessee's leading scorer with 21 points on 8-of-22 shooting.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We always wanted to play against them, that team. They're a really, really good team, so it's going to be a super fun matchup.”

— Yaxel Lendeborg

“That's when our defense started clicking. We started running out on the break and started doing what we do best, and once that happened, man, I think the game was pretty much called right there.”

— Yaxel Lendeborg

“Just playing together and understanding that we all need each other to be successful. So making that extra pass, that unselfish play that leads from a good shot to a great shot, I feel like we had a lot of that, especially in the first half that built that lead.”

— Nimari Burnett

What’s next

Michigan will face Arizona in the Final Four on Saturday, with the winner advancing to the national championship game.

The takeaway

Michigan's dominant performance against Tennessee showcases the Wolverines' depth, balance, and defensive intensity as they make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. Their ability to overwhelm opponents with their size, athleticism, and unselfish play makes them a formidable contender for the national title.