| The Detroit News
Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg on 95-72 win over Saint Louis to reach Sweet 16
Bob Wojnowski talks to Yaxel Lendeborg’s about his 25-point outing against Saint Louis on Saturday in Buffalo.
James Hawkins, Connor Earegood, John Niyo and Bob Wojnowski of The Detroit News predict the outcome of Friday’s Michigan vs. Alabama NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 game at the United Center in Chicago (7:35 p.m., TBS/TruTV).
▶ James Hawkins: How high will the score go in this one? The Crimson Tide like to run, gun and bomb away from deep. The Wolverines are at their best when they push the pace and get out in the open floor. Both teams are down a key piece — Alabama is without second-leading scorer Aden Holloway and backup point guard L.J. Cason is out for Michigan — but have rolled, putting up at least 90 points in each of their first two NCAA Tournament wins. Michigan can win the race to that mark as long as it dominates in the paint on both ends. This is the time of the year when being able to beat teams in different ways matters, and when living and dying by the 3 is a dangerous dance. Pick: Michigan, 90-84
▶ Connor Earegood: I took a lot of heat for refusing to rank Alabama in my AP ballot after Nate Oats tried to bring in pro player Charles Bediako via court order. And after that whole debacle wound up with a judge declaring Bediako ineligible anyway (I was right), turns out Alabama is still pretty good. Good enough to beat Michigan? That’s the question. Labaron Philon Jr. earned All-American honors averaging 21.6 points per game. Aden Holloway’s messy legal situation takes away the Crimson Tide’s second leading scorer, but Latrell Wrightsell has proven more than capable of being even more of a scorer with a big game against Texas Tech. This one could be a firefight against two potent offenses, especially Crimson Tide’s quick break, but I bet the score is lower than some would expect. Pick: Michigan 84-78
▶ John Niyo: Alabama plays as fast and furious as any team in college basketball, and Nate Oats wants his players to shoot first – preferably from behind the 3-point line – and ask questions later. So it’ll be interesting to see how Michigan tries to defend the Tide when Aday Mara is on the court. But the flipside is even more problematic for Alabama, because Michigan’s thrives in an up-tempo game and Oats’ team doesn’t spend much time defending. Alabama ranks 358th nationally in defensive turnover rate and 287th in defensive rebounding, so unless they’re raining in the 3s, the Wolverines should keep rolling. Pick: Michigan, 91-84
▶ Bob Wojnowski: The Crimson Tide score a lot of points and shoot a lot of 3s – the most in the country. In fact, they made 19 against Texas Tech, and leading scorer Labaron Philon Jr. only hit two. Yes, Alabama presents unusual problems, but Michigan has unusual answers, including superior size, rebounding and defense. The Blue Wall frontline of Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara should control the paint. The Wolverines are 10-point favorites, and as long as they stick to their strengths and Elliot Cadeau runs an efficient floor game, this should go according to form. Pick: Michigan, 93-82
NCAA Tournament
NO. 1 MICHIGAN VS. NO. 4 ALABAMA
▶ What: Sweet 16 NCAA Tournament game
▶ When: Friday, 7:35 p.m.
▶ Where: United Center, Chicago
▶ TV: TBS/TruTV
▶ Records: Michigan 33-3, Alabama 25-9
