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By Megan Armstrong
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It was a dream start for the No. 1 Michigan Wolverines. Until it wasn't.
Michigan sprinted out to a 26-10 lead over the No. 1 Arizona Wildcats in their Final Four matchup at Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday night.
However, Michigan star senior forward Yaxel Lendeborg picked up two early personal fouls and suffered an injury scare with just under nine minutes remaining in the first half.
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The Big Ten Player of the Year drove through the lane and fell awkwardly. Lendeborg immediately grimaced and screamed in pain and slapped the floor. The TBS replay showed Lendeborg slipped and turned his ankle. He was able to shoot his two free throws, making both to put Michigan up 28-14, before he limped off to the locker room.
Sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson relayed, "I just got word from Michigan that Yaxel Lendeborg is getting ice, and he's getting his ankle re-taped and should be back out here as soon as they can complete that."
As of this writing, Lendeborg had not returned to the game. The TBS broadcast showed him again with 4:35 left in the first half. Lendeborg had a towel over his head as he walked gingerly in the arena annals toward the locker room again.
"It is the same ankle he hurt in the Big Ten Tournament," Wolfson said on the broadcast with 4:27 remaining in the half. "They are going to ice it, do some treatment, and re-evaluate him and see if he can return for the second half."
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Lendeborg had five points, one rebound, and one steal in just five minutes of play before tweaking his ankle.
Given how Michigan controlled the first half against Arizona, the Wolverines might be able to survive with Lendeborg absent or hampered.
But losing Lendeborg would be a big blow to Michigan if they advance to face No. 2 UConn in the men's NCAA Tournament national championship game on Monday night.
Lendeborg has averaged a team-leading 15.2 points, seven rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 1.2 steals for Michigan.
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