At the Buzzer: Michigan 90, Alabama 77

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CHICAGO — Rapid reaction to Michigan’s 90-77 win over Alabama in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16.

THE MOMENT

The 3-point competition that occurred during Friday’s Sweet 16 matchup between No. 1 seed Michigan and No. 4 seed Alabama persisted the entire game. The Crimson Tide shot their usual volume of 3-pointers with 47, and the Wolverines converted at an absurd 48.1% from deep.

But two runs started the downfall for Alabama. A 8-0 run in the first few minutes, broken up by two Crimson Tide 3-pointers, then another 8-0 run topped off by a deep shot from junior guard Elliot Cadeau gave Michigan a 70-57 lead with 12:51 to go. The Wolverines never really lost that 10-plus point lead for the remainder of the game and the set of runs was indicative of Michigan’s success from deep all night long.

THE TAKEAWAY

Everything was exactly as advertised. Alabama is known for pushing the pace and shooting a high volume of 3-pointers, and it did exactly that. But Michigan followed along, frequently pushing in transition after a miss or a make to set up its sets as quickly as possible.

In the first half, the Wolverines simply kept pace. The Crimson Tide shot 9-for-24 from deep in the first frame with Michigan shooting less shots but at a higher mark at 8-for-15. As a result, Michigan gave up the second most points in a first half all season by trailing 49-47, and it wasn’t involving its big men the same way it had all season long as sophomore forward Morez Johnson Jr. and junior center Aday Mara each had just four points on under 50% from the field.

In the second half, the Wolverines pulled ahead. What seemed like an unlikely act to follow up — going over 50% from deep in the first half — ended in Michigan going XX% from beyond the arc and beating Alabama at its own game. 

Defensively, the Wolverines did almost exactly what it needed. Michigan knew Alabama would shoot a high amount of threes, but getting over every screen possible, switching with hands up and creating contact on any attempted dribble drives made it harder for the Crimson Tide to move the ball and get open looks from range. Nearly every shot was contested and Alabama was making them in the first half, but not in the second.

THE STAR

On a night when Michigan’s front court as a collective struggled, graduate forward Yaxel Lendeborg certainly did not. Ending with 23 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists and two steals, Lendeborg looked like the Big Ten Player of the Year and star player for the Wolverines that they needed.

Out of Lendeborg’s 23 points, 12 of them came from threes as he shot 4-for-5 from deep including in key moments to sustain or reclaim momentum. He also made his impact defensively, with multiple steals, including one that was off of an inbound that led to a near full-court pass to graduate guard Nimari Burnett for dunk early in the second half.

Lendeborg displayed his versatility in a game that needed it most. As Alabama’s spread offense required smart, quick switching on the perimeter and the Crimson Tide’s double-heavy defense aimed to trap everything in the post, Lendeborg’s ability to play like both a guard and a forward meant Alabama had no answer.

THE STAT

It’d be hard not to pick Michigan’s 3-point shooting percentage or makes as the deciding stat. But another major factor in Friday’s game was the bench — most importantly the bench points. In a fast-paced game, getting crucial contributions from depth players becomes even more important as each team has to alleviate some of the pressure and physical demand off of their starters. 

The Wolverines’ bench had 33 points compared to the Crimson Tide’s bench having six points. Led by senior guard Roddy Gayle Jr. and freshman guard Trey McKenney with 16 points and 17 points, respectively, the two contributed heavily to Michigan’s successes from beyond the arc as well as in general. Combined the two shot 6-for-9 from deep in 55 total minutes, also allowing the Wolverines’ switch heavy defense to stay active.

FOUR FACTORS