Alabama’s high-octane offense gave Michigan all it could handle in a first-half shootout Friday.
But Michigan dominates both sides of the floor and ultimately took Thursday’s Sweet 16 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.
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 (38%) from beyond the arc before the break.
Michigan kept pace with its own hot shooting (8 of 15 from 3, 53%) before halftime. Then Alabama stumbled out of the break as Michigan started the half on a 28-11 run, holding the Crimson Tide to 11 points in the first 10:38.
And Alabama never recovered. After scoring 49 in the first half, Alabama struggled against a balanced Michigan team that ranks in the top 6 in offensive and defensive efficiency took the game over.
A team with few weaknesses, Michigan spent much of the season ranked No. 1 and earned the top seed Midwest region. Alabama’s a flawed team that can light up the scoreboard, but frequently struggles on defense. And that’s ultimately how Friday’s game played out.
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