By Garin Turner
Two number one seeds battle it out Saturday night with a trip to the National Championship game on the line when the Michigan Wolverines, 35-3 take on the Arizona Wildcats 36-2 at 8:49 PM EST on TBS, HBO Max and truTv. The winner of this game will face the winner of UConn and the Fighting Illini on Monday.
Michigan’s road to the Final Four
Michigan defeated 16 seed Howard 101-80 in the first round of the tournament. Howard hung around for the first 20 minutes, only trailing 50-46. Michigan would then outscore Howard 51-34. Morez Johnson Jr. had 21 points on 8/8 shooting and 10 rebounds to lead the Wolverines. In the second round, Michigan beat 9 th seed Saint Louis 95-72. Yaxel
Lendeborg had 25 points on 9/13 shooting. He hit three, three-pointers and had six assists. Aday Mara added 16 points, five rebounds and five assists. He also had four blocks. Johnson Jr. had 15 points for the Wolverines.
In Sweet 16 action, Michigan faced 4 th seed Alabama, defeating them 90-77. The Crimson Tide held a 49-47 lead at the half before Michigan took over, scoring 43 points in the second to Alabama’s 28. While Michigan was only 55% from the free throw line, they shot 50% from the field and 48% from three. Lendeborg had 23 points, 4/5 from three, 12 rebounds and seven assists. Elliot Cadeu and Trey McKenney each had 17 points while Roddy Gayle Jr. added 16.
In the Elite 8, Michigan overwhelmed 6 th seeded Tennessee 95-62. The Wolverines held Tennessee to 32% from the field and 19% from three. Lendeborg led the way again for Michigan, scoring 27 points, including three, three pointers and seven assists. Johnson Jr., Mara, Nimari Burnett, and McKenny all scored in double figures. Michigan came out of the Midwest
Region.
Arizona’s road to the Final Four
Arizona opened the tournament in the West Region defeating 16 seed Long Island 92-58. Arizona shot 53% from the field and 46% from three. Brayden Burries had 18 points and five rebounds. Koa Peat scored 15 points with seven rebounds and Ivan Kharchenkov had a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
In the second round, Arizona won 78-66 against 9 th seed Utah State. Four out of the five starters for Arizona scored in double figures led by Jaden Bradley with 18. Burries just missed a double-double with 16 points and nine rebounds. Peat and Motiejus Krivas had double-doubles. Peat went 14/10 and Krivas 11/14.
In the Sweet 16 game, the Wildcats beat 4 th seed Arkansas 109-88 behind 64% shooting and 63% from three. All five starters were in double figures and Tobe Awaka added 14 off the bench along with seven rebounds. Burries (23), Peat (21), Kharchenkov (15), Krivas (14), and Bradley (14).
In the Elite 8, Arizona had to come back from a 38-31 halftime deficit against second seeded Purdue. The Wildcats would go on to win 79-64. Once again, the starting five carried the load with four out of five in double figures. Peat led the team with 20 points. Kharchenkov added 18 while Burries and Bradley had 14 apiece.
The Matchup
Who wins in the paint on both sides of the ball will win this one. Both teams shoot 50% from the field. Arizona averages more steals 7.3-5.5 but Michigan holds the edge on blocks and assists. The Wildcats have the advantage with rebounds 42-40. Both teams are similar in points scored and points allowed. Michigan has had problems at times with turnovers and defending the three. Neither team are good free throw shooters.
Verdict
This is going to be another back-and-forth game. This won’t be a double-digit win for either team. I think Michigan outlasts Arizona 86-84.
