Instant reactions to Alabama's season-ending Sweet 16 loss vs Michigan

On Friday night, the Alabama Crimson Tide and Michigan Wolverines met inside the United Center in Chicago for an anticipated Sweet 16 matchup. Facing off with a trip to the Elite Eight on the line, Alabama and Michigan went back-and-forth for a large portion of the first half Friday night, with the Crimson Tide eventually owning a slim 49-47 lead going into halftime. In the second half, it was however all Michigan on both ends of the floor, which eventually propelled the Midwest Region's No.

1 seeded team to a 90-77 win to advance to the Elite Eight. Following are some instant reactions to Alabama's loss against Michigan on Friday night in the Sweet 16. Michigan's second half the difference While the Crimson Tide led for a vast majority of the first half, the second half was all Michigan, and was eventually the difference in the outcome of this game.

The Wolverines controlled the tempo during the final 20 minutes, and owned a 43-28 advantage in the second half altogether, which was one of Alabama's lowest scoring outputs of the season in a half. Labaron Philon sensational for Crimson Tide Despite the loss, Labaron Philon was once again sensational for Alabama offensively, recording yet another stellar stat line in what could've potentially been his final game in a Crimson Tide uniform. Philon finished the game with a game-high 35 points on 10-of-21 shooting from the field, as well as 6-of-14 from three, and had seven rebounds and four assists also.

Michigan size makes a difference Coming into Friday night, it was a fact that Michigan had a significant size advantage over Alabama, and it certainly played a role in the game. Michigan out-rebounded the Crimson Tide a combined 45-32, had an 8-1 advantage in blocked shots, and held a 34-20 edge in paint points. Yaxel Lendeborg stellar for Michigan Yaxel Lendeborg, the 2025-26 Big Ten Player of the Year, was at his best when the Wolverines needed it most Friday night.