CHICAGO – The No. 1-seeded Michigan Wolverines (34-3) have advanced to their first Elite 8 since 2021, where they will take on the No. 6-seeded Tennessee Volunteers (25-11) inside the United Center in Chicago.
Tipoff is scheduled for Sunday, March 28, at 2:15 p.m. EST, 1:15 CT, and the winner will advance to the Final Four, which would be Michigan’s first appearance since 2018.
Recommended Videos
Michigan made history in its Sweet 16 victory over the No. 4-seeded Alabama Crimson Tide, 90-77, improving to 34-3, breaking former head coach John Beilein’s record for most wins in a season (33).
But a win on Sunday will be bigger for the program.
The No. 1 seed Michigan Wolverines have already made program history. Now, they are one win away from something even bigger.
Michigan trailed 49-47 at halftime before taking control in the second half behind a balanced offensive effort.
Yaxel Lendeborg led the way with 23 points and 12 rebounds, recording his seventh double-double of the season.
Elliot Cadeau added 17 points and seven assists, while Trey McKenney (17 points) and Roddy Gayle Jr. (16) provided a spark off the bench.
The Wolverines have reached the Elite Eight 16 times in program history and are making their fifth appearance in the round over the last 15 NCAA Tournaments.
Michigan holds an 8-7 all-time record in Elite Eight games.
Second-year head coach Dusty May has quickly added his name to the program’s postseason history.
May became the seventh coach to lead Michigan to an Elite Eight, joining a list that includes Steve Fisher, Beilein, and Fab Five legend Juwan Howard. May previously guided Florida Atlantic to the Elite Eight in 2023.
Michigan’s success this season has been driven by both production and efficiency.
In all three NCAA Tournament games, the Wolverines have recorded at least 90 points, 30 field goals, 20 assists, 10 3-pointers, and eight blocks, a reflection of their depth and balance on both ends of the floor.
Lendeborg has been a centerpiece of that surge, posting back-to-back 20-point performances in the tournament while shooting 68% from the field and 70% from beyond the arc over his last two games.
He is the first Michigan player since Howard in 1994 to score at least 23 points in consecutive NCAA Tournament games.
Cadeau also approaches a milestone, entering Sunday’s game just three points shy of 1,000 for his collegiate career and seven assists away from 600.
Meanwhile, center Aday Mara continues to rewrite the record book. With 98 blocks this season, he has already set Michigan’s single-season record, surpassing Roy Tarpley’s mark of 97 set in 1985-86.
Mara now needs just two more blocks to become the first Wolverine to reach 100 in a season.
Michigan’s tournament consistency has been notable.
The Wolverines have reached the Sweet 16 in each of their last seven NCAA Tournament appearances and are now seeking their ninth Final Four berth in program history, and third in the last decade.
Standing in their way is a Tennessee team that has built a reputation for physicality and consistency, making three straight Elite Eight appearances.
With a record-setting season already secured, Michigan now looks to take the final step toward Indianapolis and a chance to compete for a national championship.
McKenney has already been part of a Michigan season unlike any other.
After the Wolverines set their program record with 34 wins, McKenney said the opportunity to push even further is something the team doesn’t take lightly.
“It’s definitely really amazing,” McKenney said. “There’s been a lot of talented teams that have come through Michigan, and we’re definitely one of them. We’re putting ourselves in position to reach things that a lot of teams haven’t been able to do.”
Michigan now turns its focus toward an even bigger goal, a national championship, with McKenney emphasizing the challenge ahead.
“One team in program history has won a national championship, so we’re definitely on the journey to do that,” McKenney said. “It’s going to take a lot.”
Coming into the season, McKenney said he wasn’t focused on individual accolades, even after a decorated high school career that included being named Mr. Basketball in Michigan.
“I don’t think I really had any specific goals,” McKenney said. “One of them was definitely to win a national championship, and that dream is still alive.”
Instead, McKenney centered his freshman campaign on steady improvement and finding ways to contribute across the board.
“I just came into the season trying to get better,” McKenney said. “I think I’ve done a really good job of that, learning from the coaches and the players, and trying to impact the game offensively and defensively, whether that’s scoring, rebounding, or playing defense.”
That growth has shown in his development as a playmaker.
“I think I’ve gotten tremendously better on the ball and just making decisions and reads for myself and my teammates,” McKenney said. “The biggest thing is learning from your mistakes. That’s how you become better throughout your journey.”
Michigan’s next challenge comes against a Tennessee program that has reached three straight Elite Eights, a run McKenney attributes to consistency and culture.
“They have a great coach, and when you establish a certain culture like that, your program tends to be consistent,” McKenney said. “Tennessee has been really consistent, so it’s going to be exciting playing against a legendary coach like that.”
Despite the high stakes, McKenney has remained composed in big moments, something he credits to the trust of Michigan’s coaching staff.
“My coaches trusted me,” McKenney said. “They gave me a lot of opportunities early in the season, and they let me play through mistakes. I think that’s the biggest thing, being able to learn throughout the course of the season.”
Senior guard Nimari Burnett has seen both ends of the spectrum during his time with Michigan, from an eight-win season to a historic run that now has the Wolverines on the doorstep of even more.
As Michigan prepares for another high-stakes postseason matchup, Burnett pointed to the growth of his teammates, particularly their poise, as a key factor in the team’s success.
“You can just see how mature we’ve gotten,” Burnett said. “Seeing the game and slowing it down, making reads, those reads have gotten better because we’ve slowed down a little bit.”
Michigan faces a Tennessee team that has reached three consecutive Elite Eights, a level of consistency Burnett attributes to discipline and leadership.
“Tennessee does things the right way,” Burnett said. “They put a lot of time in the gym and in film work, and they have coach Rick Barnes, who’s been extraordinary for them the past few years. That’s a huge part of their success. They’ve created an identity that’s allowed them to have success late in the season.”
The Wolverines, meanwhile, are coming off a record-setting 34th win, the most in program history, and have a chance to add to that milestone.
“I take great pride wearing that block ‘M’ across my chest,” Burnett said. “It makes me happy. I’m super joyful to be able to play for Michigan, especially on a team where we’re making history every single game.”
For Burnett, the moment carries added significance.
Playing in Chicago, where his basketball journey began, has brought a sense of reflection as his collegiate career nears its conclusion.
“It’s been a little surreal,” Burnett said. “I didn’t really feel it until after the game, like, I’m really playing in Chicago, where it all started for me. This is part of the finish of my collegiate career. It’s amazing.”
When asked to compare Tennessee to familiar opponents, Burnett cited physical Big Ten teams that emphasize rebounding and toughness.
“They remind me of teams like Maryland or Illinois,” he said. “Just being physical on the glass — crashing the offensive and defensive boards at a high level. That’s part of their late-season success.”
The contrast from earlier in his career remains striking.
Just two seasons removed from an 8-24 campaign, Burnett acknowledged he couldn’t have predicted Michigan’s rapid turnaround.
“Not at all,” Burnett said. “When we went 8-24, I didn’t know what was next, whether it was to stay or leave. But to be in this position now, in the Elite Eight after that, it’s amazing. It’s a testament to staying locked into your craft and trusting the people around you.”
Now, with history already made and more within reach, Burnett and the Wolverines are embracing the opportunity in front of them.
Gayle Jr. smiled as he reflected on a friendship that had come full circle on one of college basketball’s biggest stages.
Gayle Jr. will face former Ohio State teammate and close friend Felix Okpara in the Elite Eight, a matchup that carries meaning far beyond the game itself.
“He became one of my closest friends in college,” Gayle Jr. said. “For two years, we were roommates, ate together, slept in the same space, just did everything together. That bond will never go away.”
The two had even discussed traveling together after the season, long before realizing their teams could meet with a Final Four berth on the line.
“Once we figured out we might play each other, we had to limit contact,” Gayle Jr. said with a grin.
There’s been little trash talk between them, though one brief exchange stood out.
“We saw each other before their Sweet 16 game,” Gayle Jr. said. “He told me, ‘We’ll see you Sunday.’ It’s just crazy, two guys from the same freshman class at Ohio State playing in the Elite Eight for different teams.”
Gatle Jr. described Mara as lighthearted and energetic, someone whose personality helped build chemistry.
“He’s never really serious unless you make him mad,” Gayle Jr. said. “He’s goofy, but that’s what makes him who he is. It made it easy to bond with him and brought people together.”
That ability to connect extended beyond the court.
Gayle Jr. said he has embraced learning more about his friend’s background, even working through occasional language barriers.
“At times there’s a little bit of a language barrier, but he understands,” Gayle Jr. said. “I’ve actually been learning Spanish this past semester, and he’s helped me a lot with that. It’s been big for me, just understanding the culture and the language.”
That balance of personality, knowing when to stay loose and when to lock in, has been a defining trait for Michigan this season.
“We have guys who know when it’s time to be serious,” Gayle Jr. said. “But having those personalities helps chemistry. They break the ice, bring people together. And even for me, when you get in your own head, having teammates who can make you laugh and forget about everything else is important.”
Gayle Jr. also praised McKenney, pointing to his rapid development and high ceiling.
“Trey is extremely talented,” Gayle Jr said. “His ability to be a sponge and learn in any situation stands out. With a good summer, I think you’ll see him become a really strong playmaker. He’s already grown so much — sometimes you forget he’s still a teenager.”
Michigan’s opponent, Tennessee, presents another significant challenge.
Gayle Jr. credited the program’s identity and experience for its sustained success, including three straight Elite Eight appearances.
“It’s their identity,” Gayle Jr. said. “They bring the best out of their players, especially on the glass. They’re physical, and it’s frustrating when you give up second-chance points. They’re big, fast, and strong.”
For Gayle Jr., the moment is also personal.
After beginning his career at Ohio State, Gayle Jr. said wearing Michigan’s jersey now carries deep meaning, especially during a historic season that has already produced a program-record 34 wins.
“It means a lot more to me,” Gayle Jr. said. “Everything we’ve been through, the adversity, and the foundation the guys before us set, I don’t take that for granted. I’m appreciative of the opportunity to wear this jersey and go out and fight for Michigan.”
Now, with a Final Four berth within reach, Gayle Jr. and the Wolverines are embracing both the magnitude of the moment and the journey that brought them there.
May doesn’t believe in overloading his players with film, but he knows exactly when a lesson is worth revisiting.
Ahead of Michigan’s latest NCAA Tournament test, May reflected on a game from three years ago, when his Florida Atlantic Owls men’s basketball squad knocked off Rick Barnes’ Volunteers in 2023.
The takeaway wasn’t just the result; it was how his team responded under pressure.
“For the first 17 minutes of that game, we were completely overwhelmed,” May said. “We were trying to do too much individually. Then right before halftime, we made a couple of really good plays and felt like there was a solution.”
That experience, he said, serves as a reminder of the physicality and intensity teams like the Tennessee Volunteers men’s basketball bring, traits Michigan must be ready to match.
“They’re very active with their hands. It’s difficult to throw a direct pass anywhere on the court,” May said. “Their size and athleticism show up immediately.”
Navigating a changing landscape
While preparing for opponents is routine, navigating the modern realities of college basketball is anything but.
May addressed the steady stream of rumors that circulate around players, particularly in the transfer portal era.
His approach is simple: go directly to the source.
“If we hear something, we call the head coach,” May said. “There’s so much that gets said, you don’t know what’s real, what’s leverage, what’s not.”
With agents now playing a larger role across rosters, May acknowledged that back-channel conversations are common — and often unavoidable.
“I’d say 90% of good players have representation now,” May said. “That’s just part of it. I don’t take it personally. It’s more work, but it’s the system we’re in.”
Trust in young contributors
Michigan’s postseason run has featured key contributions from younger players, including McKenney.
May said that trust isn’t given lightly; it’s earned daily.
“He’s earned the right to take those shots through his preparation and how he’s performed,” May said. “If we generate an open three, we want him to take it, whether it’s early or late in the shot clock.”
That philosophy reflects a broader belief in empowering players who demonstrate consistency and confidence.
Respect for Barnes’ consistency
May also spoke at length about his respect for Barnes, whose sustained success has made an impression on him dating back years.
“The level of consistency, especially in this era, is remarkable,” May said. “They have an identity every year.”
May has studied Barnes’ program closely, even adopting small details from afar to build his own culture.
“I’ve tried to absorb as much as I could,” May said. “There’s a level of intentionality in everything they do.”
Built on competition and connection
At the core of Michigan’s roster construction is a simple formula: competitors who love the game.
“We value competitors first,” May said. “We believe they’ll figure out a way to win.”
That mindset has helped shape a team capable of adapting to different styles, whether fast-paced or physical, and one that has developed strong internal chemistry during its tournament run.
“It’s the best part of all this,” May said. “Just being around this group, seeing how they’ve grown and connected, that’s what makes it special.”
As Michigan prepares for its next challenge, May isn’t focused on what comes after.
“We’re not consumed with winning tomorrow so we can move on,” May said. “We’re just trying to keep this journey going.”