This was supposed to be a blockbuster, a showdown, a meeting between two No. 1 seeds that would potentially be a classic.
It was memorable only because of Michigan’s absolute dominance. Arizona, which entered the Final Four with two losses, didn’t belong on the same court as these Wolverines.
Michigan looked unbeatable, even with Associated Press first-team All-American Yaxel Lendeborg suffering a sprained ankle in the first half.
The result was never in doubt, with Michigan cruising to Monday night’s national championship game after this 91-73 beatdown of Arizona at Lucas Oil Stadium. Coach Dusty May’s team has now won each of its five tournament games by at least 13 points, and four of them have been decided by 18 or more. The Wolverines became the first team since 1967-68 UCLA to lead by 15-plus points at halftime in both the Elite Eight and Final Four. That team’s center was some guy named Lew Alcindor.
Lendeborg was limited to 11 points in 12 minutes, but his teammates turned his injury into a slight inconvenience. Aday Mara won his battle against Arizona 7-footer Motiejus Krivas in convincing fashion, notching 26 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Trey McKenney scored 16 points off the bench, and New Jersey’s Elliot Cadeau had 13 points and 10 assists as Michigan returned to the title game for the first time since 2018. The Big Ten school was overwhelmed by Villanova that night. Another Big East power will be waiting for them: Connecticut, a 71-62 winner over Illinois earlier Saturday.
Very little went right for Arizona (36-3). Big 12 Player of the Year Jaden Bradley was plagued by foul trouble and was a non-factor. The Wildcats’ two projected first-round draft picks, Koa Peat and Brayden Burries, shot a combined 10-of-34 from the field. Their first trip to the Final Four in 25 years was not one that anyone from Arizona would like to remember.
Michigan (36-3) led by 16 at halftime despite Lendeborg logging just five minutes due to foul trouble and an ankle injury, despite shooting 5-of-16 from 3-point range and despite shooting only 41 percent from the field.
The Wolverines raced out to a 16-5 lead and were up 26-10 exactly halfway through the opening half. Arizona was back in the game, within seven on the strength of an 11-2 burst. But with 5:09 remaining, Bradley was called for his third foul. Michigan took over from there and cruised into the break with a huge lead.
Mara (15 points, five rebounds) was the best player on the floor over the first 20 minutes, and Johnson was terrific as well in tallying eight points, four rebounds and two assists.
Little changed after halftime. Bradley picked up his fourth foul early, and the Wolverines extended the lead to 22. Even clearly hobbled, Lendeborg hit a pair of 3-pointers.
With 13:02 left, Lendeborg gingerly jogged off the court to a huge ovation. Michigan was up 21 and looking like one of the most dominant teams in recent memory.
