College Hoops Weekend Update: March 7-8
- emeredith55
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
by Elias Meredith
Sportz Nation - 3/9/26
SATURDAY:
22MIAMI VS LOUISVILLE
Saturday afternoon, the Louisville Cardinals traveled south to Coral Gables, Florida to face the Miami Hurricanes. Senior guard Ryan Conwell finished with 24 points in the 92-89 road victory. The Cardinals finished off their regular season on a 3-game winning streak.
In the first half, Louisville started the game on a 13-2 scoring run, including 8 unanswered points. Louisville would lead as much as 12 points in the first half, but Miami would attempt to cut the lead down many times throughout the first half to cut the Louisville lead down.
Michigan transfer, Tre Donaldson, played a huge role in cutting the deficit down to single digits at halftime. The Tallahassee, Florida native scored 10 first half points for the Hurricanes, while Ryan Conwell had a monster first half. The ACC all-conference candidate scored 18 points as the Cardinals took a 46-37 lead into the locker room.
In the second half, Louisville picked up right where they left off, getting their lead up to 12 twice within the first ten minutes.
With 6:25 left in regulation, Miami would finally make a breakthrough. Down 77-70, Miami would go on a 9-1 run to give them their first lead of the game, 79-78.
Down by 1 with 29 seconds left in regulation, sophomore guard Adrian Wooley drilled a game-winning step back three to put the Cardinals ahead for good. This win snapped a 14-game losing streak that Louisville had against ranked opponents.
Key to Victory: Wooley second half performance
The Cardinals sophomore guard stepped up for his club. Adrian Wooley notched his second double digit scoring performance in the last three games, and hit the biggest shot of the game.
Next for the Cardinals: The ACC Tournament second-round at 2:30 PM EST. Opponent to be determined.
Next for the Hurricanes: The ACC Tournament quarterfinal round at 2:30 PM EST. Opponent to be determined.
SUNDAY:
3MICHIGAN VS 8MICHIGAN STATE
Sunday afternoon, state powerhouses meet for the season finale in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Michigan State Spartans and the Michigan Wolverines face off for the second time this season for a top 10 face off at the Crisler Center. The Wolverines were led by the 27 points of Yaxel Lendeborg in a 90-80 victory to notch their 19th conference lead, which leads all Power Four schools.
In the first half, both offenses were all full throttle. Four players finished the half in double digits. Michigan State relied on their big three to keep them competitive. Jaxon Kohler, Jeremy Fears Jr., and Carson Cooper combined for 33 of the Spartans 41 first half points, while Michigan led by their leading scorer. Yaxel Lendeborg led the Wolverines in the first half with 17 points.
In the second half, each team had no more than a two possession lead in the first ten minutes until the Wolverines changed that.
With 10:32 left in regulation, tied at 61, Michigan broke the tie between the rivals and did not relinquish the lead again. Michigan would go on a 10-3 run to give themselves some breathing room as they went up 71-64.
With 3:08 left in regulation, the Wolverines would go on a game-sealing 7-2 run to put them up by 11 with 54 seconds left.
Michigan closed the game, converting on all 6 of their free throw attempts to close the game.
Michigan now looks ahead as the top seed in the Big Ten tournament, looking to win their second consecutive conference championship.
Key Victory: Michigan’s bench
Michigan outscored Michigan State’s bench 29-8. Senior guard Roddy Gayle Jr. and freshman guard Trey McKinney combined for 27 points off the bench for the Wolverines.
Next for the Wolverines: The Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal round is Friday, March 13 at 9 PM. Opponent to be determined.
Next for the Spartans: The Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal round is Friday, March 13 at 9 PM. Opponent to be determined.
Thank you for reading!
Elias Meredith (@EAM_55)