Michigan basketball established control early and never trailed in a Final Four matchup, beating top-seeded Arizona 91-73, as reported by CNN.
The Wolverines received 26 points and nine rebounds from Aday Mara, and they were backed by Yaxel Lendeborg, Trey McKenney, Morez Johnson Jr. and Elliot Cadeau, CNN reported.
Yaxel Lendeborg left the game in the first half after an awkward left-ankle landing and returned to begin the second half, CNN said. The broadcast described an MCL sprain in his left knee and an ankle injury, and the 23-year-old told TBS he would push through the injuries.
CNN added that Lendeborg finished with 11 points despite the injuries and that Michigan recorded its fifth game with more than 90 points in this NCAA Tournament, an all-time single tournament record.
Model Projections Odds And Tournament Context
The SportsLine Projection Model simulated Michigan vs Arizona 10,000 times and set Michigan as a 1.5-point favorite with an over/under of 157.5, according to SportsLine.
SportsLine reported the model landed on the Under and projected 153 combined points, with the Under clearing in 58 percent of simulations. The model projected Lendeborg to score 16.7 points and Arizona's Brayden Burries to lead that team with about 15 points in its simulations, per SportsLine.
SportsLine also listed money lines with Michigan at -111 and Arizona at -109, and the projection service said it simulated every possession before issuing picks.
Separately, CNN reported UConn advanced to the national championship game with a 71-62 win over Illinois, meaning Michigan will meet UConn for the title. CNN noted UConn coach Dan Hurley's postseason superstitions drew attention after the Huskies' Elite Eight win, and the broadcast cited freshman Braylon Mullins scoring 15 points in that game.
ESPN writers Jeff Borzello and Myron Medcalf previewed both Final Four games and offered close-score predictions, with Borzello favoring Arizona over Michigan and Medcalf favoring Michigan, and both projecting tight outcomes, ESPN reported.
