Post by : Maya Rahman

No. 7 Michigan showcased an authoritative performance on Monday night, easily toppling San Diego State with a score of 94-54 in the first round of the Players Era men’s championship in Las Vegas. The Wolverines exhibited exceptional teamwork and solid defense, asserting their dominance from the outset.

With six players notching double figures, Michigan highlighted a well-rounded and confident offense. Yexel Lendeborg led the charge with 15 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Morez Johnson Jr. and Elliot Cadeau contributed with 13 points each, affirming Michigan’s steady offensive output from various positions. Off the bench, Nimari Burnett and Roddy Gayle added 11 points apiece, while Will Tschetter also chipped in 10 points, providing crucial support.

The Wolverines not only excelled offensively but also showed their physical prowess. Their size and strength posed continual challenges for the Aztecs. Michigan shot 50% from the field and converted 11 out of 33 attempts from beyond the arc. They dominated the boards, out-rebounding San Diego State 49-34 and scoring 38 points in the paint compared to the Aztecs' mere 12. Additionally, Michigan capitalized on turnovers, producing 28 points from San Diego State's mistakes—demonstrating an effective defensive strategy.

San Diego State faced challenges from the beginning, struggling to find their footing. The Aztecs recorded a mere 27.4% shooting from the field, complicating their scoring efforts. Elzie Harrington was the standout for the team with 15 points while BJ Davis added 11, nonetheless, the lack of support from the rest of the squad impeded their progress. In the second half, San Diego State converted only 5 of 28 shot attempts and committed 17 turnovers, allowing Michigan to widen their lead.

The Wolverines came out strong after the break, scoring eight consecutive points that quickly snuffed out any chance of a comeback. With just 90 seconds remaining, Michigan commanded a staggering 42-point lead, emphasizing their dominance.

Before the match, questions lingered over how Michigan’s robust roster would fare against San Diego State’s agile defense. However, as the game unfolded, it became evident that Michigan’s defensive prowess effectively stifled the Aztecs’ offensive attempts, leaving them unable to adapt.

Michigan took an early lead, embarking on a 12-point scoring spree in the first half. Tschetter’s back-to-back three-pointers pushed the Wolverines ahead at 17-7. From that moment onward, Michigan maintained a double-digit advantage for the majority of the game. San Diego State attempted to rally towards the end of the first half, with Davis and Harrington combining for 15 consecutive points, narrowing the gap to single digits on three occasions. However, Burnett sank a crucial three-pointer just before halftime, extending Michigan’s lead to 45-33.

From start to finish, Michigan’s sharp shooting, tight defensive strategy, and deep bench proved insurmountable for San Diego State, illustrating why they maintain their status as a top contender in the tournament.

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