Heroes and zeros from Michigan’s 69-63 victory over UConn on Monday to bring home their first national championship since 1989:
Hero
Elliot Cadeau was supposed to be Michigan’s one question mark. Instead, the West Orange, N.J. was their best player in the national championship game. The junior scored a game-high 19 points – 12 after halftime – and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four. He also had 13 points, 10 assists, five rebounds and four steals in the national semifinal rout of Illinois on Saturday.
Zero
Connecticut’s backcourt needed to have a considerable edge, but it lost the point guard battle by a wide margin. Silas Demary Jr. was in foul trouble all evening, and managed just two points and two assists in 21 impactless minutes.
Unsung Hero
Yaxel Lendeborg was far from healthy, slowed by a sprained MCL and bone bruise in his left knee. The former junior college star and projected NBA lottery pick fought through the pain and delivered nine of his 13 points after halftime.
Key Stat
18 – Connecticut’s winning streak in the Sweet 16 or later in the NCAA Tournament, dating back to 2009. That came to an end Monday night. This also marked the Huskies first loss in their seventh trip to the national championship game.
Quote
“We talked about it early in the season, to hang a center banner — Michigan has got a proud tradition, there’s a lot of banners on the side. There’s one lonely banner up in the middle.” — Coach Dusty May after Michigan won its second national championship.
