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Michigan beat UConn 69-63 to win their first NCAA men's basketball title since 1989

Michigan won the NCAA men's basketball national championship on Monday, 6 April, beating UConn 69-63 in Indianapolis. The Associated Press report carried by FOX 13 said it was Michigan's second national title and its first since 1989. The Wolverines finished the season 37-3.

It was not a shooting night. AP reported that Michigan made only 2 of 15 three-pointers but went 25 of 28 from the free-throw line. UConn shot 30.9% from the floor and missed its first 11 threes of the second half. Elliot Cadeau scored 19 points, and freshman Trey McKenney hit a late three that put Michigan nine points ahead with 1:50 left. Alex Karaban led UConn with 17. Dan Hurley's team had been trying to become the first since John Wooden's UCLA to win three titles in four seasons.

Our Esquina told the story through Yaxel Lendeborg, the Dominican American Big Ten Player of the Year, who scored 13 points while playing hurt. It said Michigan became the first champion to start five transfers, a roster critics had called “mercenaries” all season. Cadeau was named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player.

“The mercenaries showed up.” — Yaxel Lendeborg, via Our Esquina

How each outlet framed it

• FOX 13 (AP) — a hard, low-scoring final: free throws, missed threes and the end of UConn's dynasty bid.
• Our Esquina — a family and heritage story: Lendeborg's path from junior college and the transfer-built team.

Where the numbers differ: AP said Lendeborg played through a hurt knee and foot. Our Esquina described left knee and ankle injuries from the semi-final against Arizona.