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Yaxel Lendeborg gives the saddest interview at halftime of national title game

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Darryn Albert | Last updated Apr 6, 2026 10:13 PM ET

Yaxel Lendeborg was giving it straight during Monday’s national title game.

The Michigan star forward Lendeborg battled through multiple ailments to suit up on Monday against UConn at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. He did not look like himself at all though, finishing the first half with four points on 1/5 shooting and no other statistics to his name.

Lendeborg was interviewed by Tracy Wolfson of CBS at halftime and proceeded to give the saddest interview. The 23-year-old All-American admitted that he was feeling “awful” and “super weak.”

Here is the full interview clip.

"I feel awful. I feel super weak right now… I'm missing plays that I don't usually miss."@umichbball's Yaxel Lendeborg wasn't pleased with his first-half effort | @tracywolfson pic.twitter.com/5vDsUln11g
— CBS Sports College Basketball (@CBSSportsCBB) April 7, 2026

Michigan dominated Arizona in the Final Four over the weekend, but Lendeborg suffered both an MCL sprain and a twisted ankle during the game. He vowed to play in Monday’s national title game though and did just that, grinding through all 20 minutes in the first half as Michigan took a narrow 33-29 lead over UConn into the break.

That said, even Michigan head coach Dusty May seemed to hint in recent days that the reigning Big Ten Player of the Year Lendeborg was compromised . With their best player clearly at less than 100 percent on Monday (and by self-admission at that), the likes of Morez Johnson Jr., Elliot Cadeau, and Aday Mara were left to do some heavier lifting on offense for the Wolverines instead.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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