Michigan Basketball rolls past Alabama to clinch berth in Elite Eight

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 27: Yaxel Lendeborg #23 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates a basket against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the first half in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 27, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images The No. 1-seed Michigan Wolverines rolled past the No.

4-seed Alabama Crimson Tide 90-77 in the Sweet 16 in Chicago on Friday, clinching a berth in the Elite Eight for the fifth time this century and the first time since 2021. Yaxel Lendeborg scored a team-high 23 points, while also chipping in 12 rebounds and seven assists to help the Wolverines improve to 34-3 overall — a new school record for wins in a single season — and inch closer to winning a national championship. Here’s the recap, highlights and stats.

WELCOME BACK TO THE ELITE 8 @umichbball 🔥 #MarchMadness pic. twitter. com/veNeEeEcdV — NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 28, 2026 FIRST HALF Michigan got off to a slow start as Alabama knocked down three three-pointers in the opening stages to take an 11-2 lead.

The Wolverines quickly responded, going on a 9-0 run to tie the game as Lendeborg scored five consecutive points. Just moments later, Trey McKenney came off the bench and made an instant impact, hitting back to back three-pointers to put Michigan up 17-15. Lendeborg continued his hot start, drilling a three-pointer to tie it 22-22 with 9:59 left in the half.