Updated March 27, 2026, 8:00 p.m. ET
CHICAGO – Michigan vs. Alabama appears like a soccer fan’s dream. But Friday evening’s Sweet 16 game might be every part a basketball would need, too. Why? Expect loads of fireworks.
Michigan averages 87.4 factors per game, whereas Alabama leads the nation at 91.6 ppg. Giddy up.
Alabama has seemed spectacular with match wins over Hofstra (90-70) and Texas Tech (90-65), and even with out Aden Holloway, the backcourt pairing of Labaron Philon (29 factors vs. Hofstra) and Latrell Wrightsell (24 factors vs. Texas Tech) have been deadly.
Big Ten Player of the Year Yaxel Lendeborg leads the road for Michigan, with Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Aday Mara anchoring the submit. The Wolverines had been capable of slow down the run-and-gun, high-flying Saint Louis offense within the second spherical. Can they do the identical vs. the Crimson Tide?
The winner of tonight’s game advances to Sunday’s Elite Eight, the place it should play the winner of No. 2 Iowa State vs. No. 6 Tennessee.
Here’s what it’s good to know for tonight’s Michigan vs. Alabama Sweet 16 game, together with predictions and the right way to watch.
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Michigan vs Alabama reside rating
| TEAMS | 1H | 2H | F |
| Alabama | 11 | — | — |
| Michigan | 4 | — | — |
Michigan vs Alabama reside updates
Michigan-Alabama Sweet 16 rating: Crimson Tide 11, Wolverines 4 (1H)
Alabama jumps out to early lead
Behind three 3-pointers, Alabama holds an 11-4 lead over Michigan on the first media timeout with 15:38 left within the half. Aiden Sherrill has knocked down a pair of 3-pointers for the Crimson Tide.
Elliot Cadeau has had a pair of 3-pointers go out and in to this point on open appears.
Michigan-Alabama Sweet 16 matchup underway
The Sweet 16 matchup between Michigan and Alabama is underway on the United Center in Chicago. The winner advances to the Elite Eight.
Pregame
Michigan vs Alabama Sweet 16 beginning lineups
Alabama:
- G: Labaron Philon
- G: Latrell Wrightsell Jr.
- F: Amari Allen
- F: London Jemison
- F: Aiden Sherrell
Michigan:
- G: Elliot Cadeau
- G: Nimari Burnett
- F: Morez Johnson Jr.
- F: Yaxel Lendeborg
- C: Aday Mara
What time is Michigan vs Alabama?
- Time: 7:35 p.m. ET, Friday, March 27.
What channel is Michigan vs Alabama? How to observe, streaming information
- The game is airing on TBS/truTV, streaming through Fubo.
Michigan vs Alabama prediction, odds
Odds offered by BetMGM.
∎ Tony Garcia, Detroit Free Press: Michigan 94, Alabama 82
The Tide have the capturing and know their system to win: “Execute the game plan, make shots, protect the way to ball, find a way to rebound,” Oats stated. Saying it’s one factor. Doing it’s solely completely different. Michigan has extra avenues to victory. If the pictures aren’t falling, it could go inside. If drop protection is not engaged on pick-and-rolls, U-M can onerous hedge. If one participant is having an off day, even Lendeborg, there may be sufficient expertise to offset that. Alabama does not fairly have the identical room for error. It should hit 3s, a number of them, to win this game. With the assumption Michigan can ultimately discover a option to gradual the Tide down because the game goes on, it is affordable to suppose the Wolverines might be in a good game that they ultimately draw back in.
∎ Emilee Smarr, Tuscaloosa News: Michigan 95, Alabama 88
- Blake Toppmeyer: Michigan
- Paul Myerberg: Michigan
- Jordan Mendoza: Michigan
- John Brice: Michigan
- Matt Glenesk: Michigan
- Craig Meyer: Michigan
- John Leuzzi: Michigan
- Austin Curtright: Michigan
- Ehsan Kassim: Alabama
- Moneyline: Michigan (-500); Alabama (+375)
- Spread: Michigan (-8.5)
- Over/underneath complete: 172.5
What did Nate Oats say about UNC basketball coach opening? ‘I’m a glorified PE instructor.’
Nate Oats’ title continues to flow into for the North Carolina men’s basketball head coach job opening. Oats candidly answered questions about his future with Alabama on Thursday, March 26, sooner or later earlier than the Crimson Tide takes on No. 1 Michigan within the Sweet 16 from the United Center.
“As a young high school coach, I didn’t think I’d ever be in this spot not too long ago. I’m not a guy that’s always trying to jump around,” Oats stated. “The grass isn’t always greener. I love Alabama. My girls love Alabama.
“I’m not seeking to depart.”
Oats continued: “I nonetheless cannot imagine I get paid this a lot. I’m teaching basketball guys,” Oats said of his current contract with Alabama. “I did this factor at no cost at Maranatha [Baptist] for 3 years. … For the primary 16 years I coached basketball, [I made] lower than $500,000 complete.
“My salary goes up half a million every year. I am a glorified P.E. teacher making too much money right now. So, I’m not going to complain.”
Why is not Aden Holloway enjoying for Alabama? Latest information on guard’s arrest
Holloway was arrested on Monday, March 16 and charged with first-degree possession of marijuana and failure to affix a tax stamp after the West Alabama Narcotics Task Force discovered 2.1 kilos of marijuana in his residence.
He was transported to the Tuscaloosa County Jail and was set with a $5,000 bond, based on The Tuscaloosa News, a part of the USA TODAY Network. The University of Alabama later launched a press release and stated he was faraway from campus and will not return to the workforce till the college’s workplace of pupil conduct finishes its investigation.
What Yaxel Lendeborg stated about Alabama not recruiting him
Lendeborg performed for the University of Alabama-Birmingham for 2 years in 2023-24 and 2024-25 earlier than getting into the portal on the conclusion of final season. When he entered, he had hoped to remain in-state.
“When I entered the transfer portal out of UAB, I was hoping to get recruited by Alabama. And when I didn’t, it kind of hurt me a little bit. Not in a way that I can say ‘I hate them.’ It just bothered me a little.”
“There’s going to be juice for sure,” Lendeborg said of playing Alabama. “I know I’m going to try my best to be the best player on the floor tomorrow for sure. All it is extra motivation for sure, just not in the sense where I’m like, ‘this is what you guys missed on,’ but like you guys could have called at least, or something like that.”
Dusty May and Nate Oats refuted that Alabama by no means recruited Lendeborg, who was named Big Ten Player of the Year this season.
“Nate and I being friends, we talked through that process,” May stated. “And don’t tell Yax, but they did try to recruit him.”
Michigan PG Elliot Cadeau overcame listening to, imaginative and prescient points
Elliot Cadeau is half-deaf in a single ear, handled blurred imaginative and prescient in a single eye. That hasn’t stopped Michigan level guard from handing over his greatest season.
∎ Read extra about Cadeau overcoming adversity via USA TODAY Sports’ Paul Myerberg.
