Michigan’s Champs Celebrate Title, Look to Future

Michigan Hoists National Championship Trophy, Star Yaxel Lendeborg Reflects on Season

The confetti has settled, the cheers have faded, but the feeling of victory remains for Michigan’s national champions. Star player Yaxel Lendeborg, fresh off a dominant performance in the NCAA title game, joined The Pat McAfee Show to celebrate the monumental win and look back on a season that defied expectations. “Man, a lot of hugs, a lot of kisses,” Lendeborg described the moments after hoisting the trophy. “I tried to give him a little celebratory drink, man. He didn’t take it. But, you know, it was super fun.” The trophy, it seems, is already a beloved teammate.

Dusty May: The Perfect Fit for Ann Arbor

A key figure in Michigan’s resurgence is head coach Dusty May. Lendeborg spoke glowingly about May’s impact, calling him “super super special” and a “super genuine guy.” What sets May apart, according to Lendeborg, is his focus on players as people first. “He cares about you more as a person than a basketball player, which I feel like is kind of rare,” Lendeborg explained. He recalled a time when he was struggling emotionally, and May encouraged him to take a mental break from basketball, showing a level of care that goes beyond the Xs and Os.

The decision to play his final college year under May was an easy one for Lendeborg. He was inspired by May’s run to the Final Four in his first year, witnessing the energy and support he brought to his players. “Just seeing how much life he brought to the guys and how much support he gave them, it’s like, man, why wouldn’t I want to play for a guy like that?” Lendeborg pondered. This connection between coach and player proved vital, especially during the championship game.

Playing Through Pain for the Prize

The championship game itself was a testament to the team’s grit. Lendeborg revealed he played through significant injuries, including to his ankle and knee. He downplayed making excuses, but his halftime interview hinted at the pain he was enduring. “I’m pretty [expletive] up right now,” Lendeborg admitted, translating his words for McAfee. “I am in a lot of pain. It’s a national championship. I’m not playing my best right now, but we need to go do this thing.” This level of sacrifice resonated deeply with his teammates.

“Yeah, man, they asked me so many times how I was feeling. I told them I felt like crap,” Lendeborg shared. “And man, like, you know, them boys just supported me the whole way, man. Honestly, I know everybody on this team was going to sacrifice their body for this.” The team’s focus was singular: winning the championship. “We all don’t care about the future. We’re all going to live in the moment. We talked all year about getting the championship. So, you know, now that we’re there, nothing’s going to stop us, man.”

The Big Ten Gauntlet Prepared Them

The path to the national title was paved with tough competition, largely thanks to the grueling Big Ten conference schedule. Lendeborg emphasized how the Big Ten prepared them for the NCAA Tournament. “Every game was a dog fight. You got to figure out ways to win,” he said. He specifically mentioned games against Iowa and Michigan State as examples of physical, hard-fought battles that taught the team valuable lessons in resilience and finding ways to secure victories.

“It definitely helped us out in this tournament, just figuring out ways to win against different opponents,” Lendeborg stated. This experience was crucial in their tournament run, where they faced diverse styles of play and overcame challenges. The team’s defensive prowess was also highlighted as a key factor in their success, especially in the championship game where offense struggled. “We we sucked on offense. Nobody can make a shot. I definitely wasn’t helping the team out offensively. So, man, we just had to grind it out like we’ve been doing all season.”

A Sea of Maize and Blue: Home Court Advantage

The championship game felt more like a home game for Michigan, with a significant portion of the crowd sporting maize and blue. Lendeborg felt the energy and support from the Michigan alumni, calling it “a big big factor why we kept winning games.” He proudly declared, “This is the best fan base in the world. Obviously, I think we definitely have way more support than Yukon did last night.” This overwhelming fan support provided a significant boost throughout the tournament.

Legacy and the Future

Lendeborg also addressed the talk about this Michigan team being the best ever, even compared to the legendary Fab Five. He acknowledged the goal was to etch their names in history. “The Fab Five members said, you know, we got to get the championship. We got it done. I’m waiting to hear what they think now and then, you know, I’ll be able to run with it if they say we are.” He even met with members of the Fab Five, who offered their support and encouragement.

Looking ahead, Lendeborg acknowledged his upcoming transition to the NBA. He plans to take at least two weeks off to recover from his injuries and mentally reset before beginning his NBA draft preparation. “This is going to be a big big offseason for me,” he stated. “But after those two weeks, I’m going to start, you know, to focus my mind on making sure that I’m right in the head space physically and, you know, try to put myself in the best position to be drafted to the best team possible.”

“We all don’t care about the future. We’re all going to live in the moment. We talked all year about getting the championship. So, you know, now that we’re there, nothing’s going to stop us, man.”

— Yaxel Lendeborg

The conversation also touched on the broader impact of coaches like Dusty May and the success of Michigan’s athletic programs. The panel discussed how May’s player-first approach and ability to attract talent through the transfer portal could make Michigan a dominant force in the Big Ten for years to come. While acknowledging the unpredictability of college sports, the consensus is that Michigan, under May, is poised for continued success.

Source: Michigan Star & National Champion Yaxel Lendeborg Joins The Pat McAfee Show | Full Interview (YouTube)