Michigan Beats Wisconsin 68-65 as Yaxel Lendeborg Hits Game Winning Three to Send Wolverines to Big Ten Championship

CHICAGO — Yaxel Lendeborg delivered a dramatic finish with a three point shot with 0.4 seconds remaining as No. 3 Michigan defeated No. 23 Wisconsin 68-65 on Saturday in the Big Ten Tournament semifinal at the United Center.

The last second shot secured Michigan’s place in the conference championship game and marked a key moment in the latest Big Ten tournament timeline as the Wolverines moved within one win of a second consecutive title.

Michigan improved to 31-2 with the victory while also avenging its only conference loss of the season. Wisconsin defeated Michigan 91-88 earlier in the regular season on January 10 in Ann Arbor. The semifinal result restored momentum for the Wolverines as they continue their postseason push.

Lendeborg, the Big Ten Player of the Year, struggled early but delivered the decisive moment when it mattered most. After a slow start similar to his performance in the quarterfinal win against Ohio State, Lendeborg asserted himself late and finished with the game winning basket that sent Michigan to the final.

Aday Mara led Michigan with 16 points while controlling the interior with eight rebounds and five blocked shots. Elliot Cadeau added 15 points and played a key role in the final sequence that led to the winning shot.

With the score tied in the closing minute, Michigan created a key offensive opportunity when Lendeborg grabbed an offensive rebound and kicked the ball out to Cadeau. Cadeau converted a three point shot with 45 seconds remaining to give Michigan a 65-62 lead.

Wisconsin answered quickly. Nick Boyd responded with a three point basket that tied the game at 65 and set up the final possession.

On Michigan’s final offensive sequence the Wolverines attempted to feed Lendeborg inside. Wisconsin’s defense collapsed in the paint forcing Lendeborg to rotate back to the perimeter. Cadeau delivered the pass and Lendeborg calmly converted the three point attempt that sealed the win.

The game featured strong defensive play and difficult shooting stretches from both teams early. Michigan shot 26.7 percent from the field in the first half while Wisconsin finished the opening period at 32.3 percent. Despite the slow start, both teams found offensive rhythm during the second half.

Wisconsin was led by Austin Rapp, who scored 18 points and connected on six three point shots. All of Rapp’s scoring came during the second half as he helped keep the Badgers within striking distance.

Boyd finished with 14 points on 6 of 20 shooting a day after his career performance against Illinois in the quarterfinal round when he scored 38 points during Wisconsin’s overtime victory.

The loss ended Wisconsin’s pursuit of a third consecutive appearance in the Big Ten Tournament championship game. The Badgers entered the semifinal with a 24-10 record and had reached the final in each of the previous two seasons, including a loss to Michigan in the 2025 championship game.

Michigan now advances to the Big Ten Tournament final with an opportunity to capture its fifth conference tournament title in program history. The Wolverines will face No. 18 Purdue, which advanced after defeating UCLA 73-66 in the other semifinal.

The outlook for the championship matchup carries additional significance for NCAA tournament seeding. Michigan entered the tournament as one of the top ranked teams in the nation and a potential No. 1 seed in the national bracket.

The Wolverines also hold a recent victory over Purdue, defeating the Boilermakers 91-80 on February 17. In that game Cadeau scored 14 of his 17 points in the second half to lead Michigan to a road win.

Sunday’s championship game will determine the Big Ten tournament champion and could influence final NCAA tournament seeding as both programs prepare for the final stage of conference postseason play.