Michigan cools off hot-shooting Alabama, outguns Crimson Tide into Elite 8
Alabama's high-octane offense kept things interesting for a half. But Michigan dominates both sides of the floor and ultimately took the game over.
Alabama’s high-octane offense gave Michigan all it could handle in a first-half shootout Friday night in the Sweet 16. But Michigan dominates both sides of the floor and ultimately took the game over. The Wolverines held Alabama to a season-low 28 second-half points and pulled away for a 90-77 win .
They advance to take on the winner between No. 2 Iowa State and No. 6 Tennessee in the Elite Eight.
All-American Yaxel Lendeborg paced the Michigan effort with 23 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists while shooting 8 of 12 from the field and 4 of 5 from 3. The Wolverines advance to the Elite 8 as one of the favorites to win the national title. Alabama red-hot before halftime Alabama, the nation’s highest-scoring offense, took a 49-47 lead into halftime.
A Michigan defense that ranks second in KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency had few answers for Alabama’s 3-point shooting as the Crimson Tide shot 9 of 24 (37. 5%) from beyond the arc before the break. But Michigan was even better from 3 (8 of 15 from 3, 53%) before halftime to keep pace.