No. 3 Michigan Wolverines Knock Off No. 23 Wisconsin Badgers To Advance To Big Ten Title Game Behind Yaxel Lenderborg’s Heroics

Sometimes, the best players save their best moments for when it matters most. That’s exactly what Yaxel Lendeborg did on Saturday afternoon at the United Center, burying a cold-blooded 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds left to lift No. 3 Michigan past No. 23 Wisconsin, 68-65, in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals.

Lendeborg caught a pass from Elliot Cadeau on the wing, set his feet, and let it fly from 24 feet out with the game tied at 65. Nothing but net. United Center erupted. Wisconsin stood there in disbelief, helpless as the final buzzer sounded.

“I live for those moments,” Lendeborg said on the CBS broadcast. “I’ve always dreamed of hitting a shot like that, so today was my moment to hit a shot like that, and I did.” Yeah. He did.

Michigan Overcomes a Sluggish Start

This one was far from a masterpiece early on. Both teams looked like they’d forgotten how to play basketball in the opening minutes, combining for 4-of-22 shooting to start the game. Seven turnovers. Six points apiece after seven minutes. It was ugly.

Michigan’s problems ran deeper than just cold shooting. Elliot Cadeau, the Wolverines’ only true point guard, picked up his second foul at the 11:38 mark of the first half and spent most of the opening 20 minutes watching from the bench. Without him, Michigan turned the ball over six times in the final 10 minutes of the half, missed eight consecutive three-point attempts, and fell behind by eight before scrambling back to tie it at 28 at the break.

The bright spot? Lendeborg, who hadn’t scored all game, swished a corner 3 with 11 seconds left in the half just to keep things honest.

Aday Mara Takes Over In the Second Half

Michigan came out of the locker room looking like a completely different team. Cadeau returned and immediately made his presence felt, scoring 12 of his 15 points in the second half. Meanwhile, Aday Mara started dominating the paint with authority.

Mara finished with 16 points, 8 rebounds, 5 blocks, and a general sense of chaos for anyone who dared to drive the lane. At one point, Michigan pushed the lead all the way to 15 points. It looked like it was over. It was not over.

Austin Rapp Nearly Stole the Show For Wisconsin

The Badgers were cooked. Down 54-39 with under 10 minutes to go, legs looking tired from three games in three days, Wisconsin had no business being in this game at that point. Then Austin Rapp went absolutely haywire.

The Australian sophomore, who hadn’t scored a single point in the first 30 minutes, suddenly couldn’t miss. He hit five consecutive three-pointers. Five. In a row. All 18 of his points came in a 5:36 stretch that powered a 17-2 Wisconsin run and gave the Badgers a 62-58 lead with 3:50 to play. The United Center went quiet. Michigan looked rattled. Wisconsin had all the momentum.

Lendeborg Delivers When Michigan Needed It Most

Michigan responded with a Mara layup and a clutch 3 from Cadeau to go back up 65-62. Then Nick Boyd answered with a tying 3 for Wisconsin with 29 seconds left.

65-65. Under 30 seconds. One possession to decide it all.

Michigan didn’t call a timeout. They ran the clock down, worked the ball to the corner, and found Lendeborg curling off a Mara screen with just enough space to get a clean look. Cadeau delivered the pass. Lendeborg delivered the dagger.

Play-by-play commentator Ian Eagle called it a “triple Yaxel.” That nickname might just stick. Wisconsin called a timeout but couldn’t get off a meaningful final shot, and Michigan improved to 31-2 on the season — avenging their only conference loss from January, a 91-88 setback in Ann Arbor.

Michigan Now Chasing a Second Straight Big Ten Title

The Wolverines will face the winner of UCLA and No. 18 Purdue in Sunday’s Big Ten Championship Game. A win would give Michigan its second consecutive Big Ten Tournament title and fifth overall. It is a statement that would all but lock up the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament heading into March Madness.

Michigan has now beaten both of those opponents this season. They routed UCLA 86-56 in February and won 91-80 at Purdue in back-to-back outings. The road to a second straight title doesn’t get easier, but after what Lendeborg pulled off on Saturday, you get the feeling these Wolverines aren’t too worried about it.