Michigan head coach Dusty May scouted their potential next opponents less than 90 minutes before tipoff of Saturday night’s national semifinal game against Arizona. Michigan then dispatched top-seeded Arizona 91-73.
The Wolverines advance to face UConn in Monday night’s championship game with an opportunity to win the program’s first national championship since 1989.
Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd said, “They were outstanding tonight. Really had us on our heels tonight. We never could get into a rhythm. No one’s been able to do that to us all year.”
Lendeborg Injury Scare
There will be concern over the next 48 hours about All-American and Big Ten Player of the Year Yaxel Lendeborg, who suffered a left MCL sprain and ankle injury in the first half after getting fouled on a drive. He was in visible pain when he left the court and was moving gingerly when he returned to play nine minutes in the second half.
Mara’s Dominant Performance
Even without Lendeborg, Michigan imposed its will on Arizona from the opening tip. It was Arizona that looked overwhelmed.
Aday Mara had his best overall game of the season, finishing with 26 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two blocks, while shooting 11-for-16 from the field. Morez Johnson Jr. had 10 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Michigan matched Arizona in points in the paint, and the Wolverines outscored the Wildcats in second-chance points 19-12.
“We’ve played with great physicality all year,” May said. “We’ve done a great job in the weight room. We’ve done, I think, a real solid job of not beating our guys up in practice but yet preparing them for the mental and physical wear and tear of these types of games. But it’s a mindset. It’s not as if Morez Johnson needs to get souped up to go bang against those guys. That’s who he is by nature.”
Mara’s Impact on Both Ends
Mara put on a virtuoso display, using his 7-foot-3 size to establish his low-post presence at both ends of the floor. Michigan consistently threw the ball over the Arizona defence to an open Mara, while the big man was also a factor on the offensive glass. Defensively, he helped force arguably the nation’s most efficient paint offence into shooting 7-for-15 on layups and dunks.
“Aday was sensational,” May said. “He was at the rim, catching lobs. He was a force down low. He was a pressure release up top. I mean, he’s such a smart basketball player.
Michigan will face UConn in Monday night’s championship game.