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It's been a terrific 2025-26 season for the Michigan Wolverines. But now, the time to cap off that strong campaign has arrived: March Madness.
Michigan is a No. 1 seed for the fourth time in program history, with Dusty May's lengthy unit becoming one of college basketball's best this season and taking a 31-3 record into the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
The Wolverines are set to have a favorable path to the Final Four, including a first-round game against either UMBC or Howard. However, as Michigan heads into the tournament, there is some injury concerns — not only is guard L.J. Cason done for the season with a torn ACL, but the team's leading scorer, Big Ten Player of the Year Yaxel Lendeborg, had some health questions coming out of the conference championship.
Here's the latest on Lendeborg's injury and status for the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
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What is Yaxel Lendeborg's injury?
Lendeborg was seen after Michigan's loss to Purdue in the Big Ten Championship with ice wrapped around his left ankle, and per MLive, he "walked to watch Michigan’s NCAA Tournament draw with a limp."
According to 247Sports, Lendeborg's ankle injury came late in the second half of the Big Ten title game. He went to the bench in discomfort, then returned.
The Wolverines star told Alejandro Zuniga postgame that he has a low ankle sprain. Lendeborg fit the floor multiple times during the matchup against the Boilermakers, and while he reportedly did not get X-rays, he didn't believe they were necessary.
“I don’t feel too good,” Lendeborg said postgame, per MLive. “It was getting to a point where it was kind of dangerous for me. I went to the ref. I told him the guys were flopping, throwing their body on the ground. I told him, ‘Somebody going to get hurt.’ It happened to be me.”
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How long will Yaxel Lendeborg be out?
Lendeborg is expected to play in Michigan's first-round matchup against either UMBC or Howard. He told Zuniga that he expects to go in the tournament-opener — as of now, there is no game-related concern for Lendeborg.
"I know no matter how I feel, I'm going to be good to go for that game," Lendeborg said, per 247Sports.
As Michigan begins its 2026 tournament run, Lendeborg should be on the floor. However, the situation with his ankle will be worth monitoring as the Wolverines continue with their season.
The Wolverines have already been dealing with an injury absence, as guard L.J. Cason tore his ACL in the weeks before the NCAA Tournament. Since Cason's injury, per Matt Fortuna, Michigan has notably gone 0-5 against the spread, albeit with a 4-1 record — potentially a sign that the team is a bit more vulnerable than expected heading into the bracket.
HISTORY OF UPSETS BY SEED:
16 vs. 1 | 15 vs. 2 | 14 vs. 3 | 13 vs. 4 | 12 vs. 5
Yaxel Lendeborg 2025-26 season stats
- Big Ten Player of the Year
- 14.6 points per game
- 7.0 rebounds per game
- 3.2 assists per game
- 1.3 blocks per game
- 1.2 steals per game
- 1.1 turnovers per game
- 50.9% field goal shooting
- 35.3% three-point shooting
- 82% free throw shooting
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