In a thrilling Round of 32 matchup, ninth-seeded Saint Louis came out swinging against Michigan in Buffalo, New York. The Billikens held a 27-23 lead ten minutes into the first half, but Michigan's offensive prowess soon took center stage, leading to a commanding 95-72 victory for the Wolverines.
After the game, CBS’s Allie LaForce caught up with the Big Ten Player of the Year to discuss Michigan's impressive performance against a team coached by Dusty May’s close friend, Josh Schertz. Lendeborg’s explanation sheds light on why Michigan is a formidable contender for its first national title since 1989.
“Our physicality on defense was key,” Lendeborg noted. “We had more size, so we overloaded them and pushed the fast break. We feel we’re the more athletic team and played to our strengths.”
This dominance at the rim is Michigan’s hallmark this season. Dusty May’s strategy revolves around leveraging size, a philosophy that was evident last year with the 4-5 pick-and-rolls between Danny Wolf and Vladislav Goldin. This year, May has amplified that approach, crafting a towering lineup with Aday Mara, Morez Johnson Jr., and Lendeborg.
Reflecting on last year, Walter Clayton Jr. was the standout for the national champion Florida Gators, but Todd Golden’s blueprint mirrored May’s current strategy. Golden emphasized rim pressure, securing rebounds, and controlling the paint. When paired with effective shooting, this interior dominance becomes nearly unstoppable.
While the three-point revolution, sparked by Steph Curry’s Golden State Warriors, has influenced college basketball, it also brings variability. Teams that can dominate the inside and secure extra possessions through rebounding can counteract the high-volume three-point approach.
Unsurprisingly, all four No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament excel in paint points and rebound differential. Schertz, an FAU alum and a long-time collaborator with May, has crafted a mid-major version of Michigan’s team. The Billikens share similar metrics, but without the same caliber of athletes, they struggled against Michigan’s powerhouse performance.