Michigan Wolverines Earn No. 1 NCAA Seed Led by Lendeborg

Yaxel Lendeborg, a 23-year-old senior forward for the Michigan Wolverines, has guided his team to a No. 1 seed in the Midwest Region of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, capping a remarkable season that has positioned the program for a potential deep run in March Madness. The Wolverines, with a 31-3 record, earned the top seed after setting a Big Ten Conference mark with 19 wins and going undefeated in league road games, a feat not achieved since Indiana in 1976.

Michigan opens tournament play on Thursday at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York, facing the winner of the First Four matchup between No. 16 seeds UMBC and Howard. This marks the fourth time in program history the Wolverines have secured a No. 1 seed. Lendeborg, who transferred to Michigan from UAB in April 2025, has been the driving force behind the success. Averaging 14.6 points, seven rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 50.9 percent from the field and 35.3 percent from three-point range, he earned Big Ten Player of the Year honors. His contributions extend beyond numbers, as he has helped foster a cohesive team dynamic on a roster bolstered by transfers.