Just over 11 minutes into the first half of
Michigan's national semifinal romp over
Arizona on Saturday, star forward
Yaxel Lendeborg somersaulted backward in pain on the baseline, punctuating his tumble by slamming his palms in frustration on the floor.
On a Final Four night mostly devoid of compelling theater, Lendeborg's gutty return after suffering a left MCL sprain and left ankle sprain gave Michigan's blowout an adrenaline shot of drama.
Lendeborg played just 14 minutes, as he got into early foul trouble and then retreated twice to the locker room before halftime. The injuries came from stepping on the right foot of
Arizona's
Motiejus Krivas on what he later called an ill-advised dunk attempt.