#MAGFAB: Anna Wintour and Meryl Streep for Vogue US - April 2026
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#RHOA: All About Newbie K. Michelle's Love Life
Seventeen seasons in and The Real Housewives of Atlanta is still shaking things up with new cast members. For Season 17, that includes K. Michelle, who is no stranger to reality television, having previously starred on Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta and more.
This will be K. Michelle’s RHOA debut, though, and there’s certainly a lot in her life to catch up on. In 2025, she confirmed that she had quietly gotten married, later revealing her husband to be Kastan Sims.
For the most part, the two are very private about their relationship, but we rounded up everything we know, as well as more scoop on K. Michelle’s relationship history.
Who is K. Michelle’s husband?
Kastan is a dentist in Memphis, Tennessee. He graduated from Meharry Medical College in 2007 and has been a practicing dentist since.
K. Michelle has known Kastan since she was a teenager, and they were friends for years before settling down together. In 2022, they appeared on Marriage Boot Camp together, and she revealed that they had been together for about five years at the time. Her relationship with Kastan began when she realized she wanted to date someone outside of the music industry.
The couple went on Marriage Boot Camp because they were both ready to start a family but wanted to make sure their relationship was in a healthy enough place to do so.
K. Michelle confirmed she was married during a live stream for The Shade Room in September 2025. She did not reveal her husband’s identity at the time, but said that it took him “a decade” to propose, while also noting that she was partly to blame because she feared she wasn’t “marriage material.”
Just a few a weeks later, the singer revealed that Kastan was the man she secretly married. “See I don’t usually do this,” she wrote on Instagram, along with a video montage of them together. “Thank you Dr. Sims. I love you and I’m so happy to be your wife. I know I’ve driven you insane but I’m worth it. It’s time to plan a wedding. Who would’ve thought. Been in love with you since Junior High School.”
Did K. Michelle date Idris Elba?
Yes, K. Michelle dated Idris Elba for about eight months in 2013 and 2014. They met at the 2013 Soul Train Awards. K. Michelle spilled the tea about their romance during an interview with Hollywood Unlocked in 2020.
She said that he told her she was “beautiful” at the show, but she wasn’t into him at first. “I told him to his face, ‘Your jeans too tight and your accent funny,'” K. Michelle shared. Her bodyguard wound up giving Idris her phone number, and he texted her about the after party he was going to.
Since she attended the after party with Wale, whom she said is like her “brother,” Idris thought the two were dating at first. However, K. Michelle later met up with him in Los Angeles, and their secret romance began. However, Idris told K. Michelle that he would “never be committed to one woman,” she claimed. The actor married Sabrina Dhowre in 2019.
Does K. Michelle have kids?
Yes, K. Michelle has one son, Chase Bowman. While she mostly keeps him out of the spotlight, his LinkedIn reveals that he graduated from North Carolina Central University in 2025 and now works as a consultant for Mastercard.
In 2020, K. Michelle opened up to Essence about wanting to expand her family with Kastan. After initially planning to use a surrogate, she told the outlet that she was undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments to have twin girls with her longtime love.
“I’m doing genetic editing, which means I’m able to pick the gender of my child(ren),” she explained. “I chose to do genetic editing because I knew that I wanted girls, and I knew I wanted twins. But with that decision, we’ll also be faced with the possibility of all the implanted eggs not taking to my body.”
K. Michelle also told Essence that, if she has more children, she will also keep them private. “I’ve never put my son on Love and Hip Hop. I never posted him on my Instagram page, and I’ve protected him from the Internet, the heckling, and all that kind of stuff,” she pointed out. “And when the babies are born, they probably won’t be seen much either. I’m not really with all that. People seem to believe that just because you don’t post it, it’s not happening, but it’s just my choice and my privacy.”
What happened to K. Michelle on Queens Court?
K. Michelle appeared on Season 2 of Queens Court in 2024 while she was having “issues and problems” with Kastan, she told Decider. However, she ended up not choosing a king at the end of her journey on the show. “I did not crown my king tonight, but I did what’s best for me,” she said in the finale.
Her final two were Nosh, who she described as a “very dedicated grown man” and “very family-oriented man,” and Ben, who she “said things to that I don’t think I would have said outside of this process to anyone.”
K. Michelle ultimately realized that the person she would end up with “would never go on TV to date me,” she revealed in the Decider interview. “I was mentally dealing with that … the very first day, seeing the first set of guys, it was like, ‘What am I doing?'” she admitted, adding that she wanted to be with somebody who “doesn’t want to be famous” or on TV.
#NewMusic: Mary J Blige Soulful New Single “Want Love”
The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, Mary J. Blige returns with a smooth, emotionally grounded groove in her latest single “Want Love.” Produced by Camper and Blige the track is wrapped in warm production and understated rhythm, the track leans into everything fans have always loved about Blige—honesty, vulnerability, and vocals that feel lived-in.
From the very first verse, she makes her intentions crystal clear. This isn’t about fleeting moments or surface-level connections. Blige is done entertaining anything temporary, instead calling for a love that’s solid, intentional, and enduring. There’s a quiet confidence in how she delivers lines about being more than just a “habit,” positioning herself as both the missing piece and the full package.
“I need more than just a habit, babe, can’t do nothing temporary, babe/ I’m a good time on a rainy day, summertime or a winter day/ Missing piece to your puzzle, babe, I can show you some other things/ Come on, yeah, come on…”
The chorus lands with emotional weight and undeniable relatability, as she declares her desire for a partner who shows up, stands firm, and fights for the relationship. It’s a bold yet familiar theme for Blige—self-worth, emotional clarity, and refusing to settle—and she delivers it with conviction.
“I want somebody who makes me feel like everything / I want want love, want love, want love/ I don’t want nobody that won’t fight for me /I want want love, want love, want lovе, oh”
Vocally, she’s in her sweet spot. That signature rasp cuts through the mellow groove effortlessly, balancing strength and tenderness in a way only she can. There’s no overproduction here—just Mary, her truth, and a vibe that lingers.
With “Want Love,” Mary J. Blige reminds us she’s not here for the games—she’s here for something real. And honestly, we’re right there with her.
Take a listen to Mary J. Blige’s “Want Love” HERE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zf_HnwtFgcM&list=RDzf_HnwtFgcM&start_radio=1
#HiupHopNews: Offset Stable After Shooting Outside Florida Casino
Former Migos rapper Offset is currently hospitalized but in stable condition after a shooting incident outside a popular Florida casino on Monday evening.
A representative for the Grammy-nominated artist confirmed to TMZ that the shooting occurred near the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. While fans were immediately alarmed by the news, the spokesperson assured the public that Offset is “fine” and is receiving medical care.
“He is stable and being closely monitored,” the rep added.
The shooting reportedly took place in the valet area of the resort shortly after 7:00 p.m. local time. According to a spokesperson for the Seminole County Police, officers were on-site immediately and were able to contain the situation quickly.
Police confirmed that the victim, identified by reps as Offset, suffered “non-life threatening injuries” and was transported to Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood for treatment.
As of Monday night, the site has been secured and authorities have stated there is no ongoing threat to the public. Law enforcement successfully detained two individuals at the scene, though their identities and potential motives have not yet been released.
“The investigation is ongoing,” a police representative stated, noting that operations at the Hard Rock continued as normal following the containment of the scene.
The news of the shooting sent shockwaves through the hip-hop community, especially given the tragic history of the Migos collective. It has been less than four years since Offset’s bandmate, Takeoff, was fatally shot in Houston in November 2022—an event that profoundly impacted the genre and the surviving members of the group.
Offset had recently been active on the performance circuit and was seen as a leading voice in the “renaissance” of Atlanta-style trap music. As he recovers, the industry remains on high alert, waiting for further updates on his condition and the progress of the police investigation.
Lil Nas X granted mental health diversion that could lead to dropped charges in LAPD assault case
Rapper Lil Nas X was granted mental health diversion for two years in court on Monday after his arrest on suspicion of assaulting police officers while wandering nearly naked last year in Studio City.
A judge said the charges could be dismissed if the Grammy-winning artist, whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill, completes the mental health diversion program and doesn't break the law for the next two years.
"I'm thankful. Just very thankful," Hill said after the hearing. "It could have been much worse."
The 26-year-old "Old Town Road" singer was arrested in August 2025 after a bizarre stroll along Ventura Boulevard, where he was spotted walking in underwear and cowboy boots. Video taken by a witness also showed him placing an orange traffic cone on his head.
The Grammy-winning rapper Lil Nas X was arrested in Studio City on suspicion of battery on a police officer, Eyewitness News has learned.
He allegedly assaulted responding Los Angeles Police Department officers who were trying to take him into custody, injuring at least three of them, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
Hill spent the weekend in jail and later pleaded not guilty to three felony counts of battery against a police officer and one count of resisting arrest.
In a statement released shortly after the charges were filed, District Attorney Nathan Hochman said, "Attacking police officers is more than just a crime against those individuals but a direct threat to public safety. Anyone who assaults law enforcement will face serious consequences, no matter who they are or how famous they may be."
Hill was later released on $75,000 bond.
The felony charges carry a potential sentence of up to five years in prison if he fails to complete the court-ordered treatment program.
Following the incident, the rapper was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
His next court date is set for July 29.
ANIMORPHS Is Getting a Disney+ Series With Ryan Coogler Producing
There’s a new wave of YA adaptations heading to streaming, and this one taps straight into ‘90s nostalgia with a sci-fi twist. Animorphs is officially being developed as a TV series at Disney+, bringing the fan-favorite book series back into the spotlight with some serious creative talent attached.
According to reports, Bayan Wolcott is set to write and executive produce the series. He’s joined by Ryan Coogler, along with Sev Ohanian and Zinzi Coogler, producing through Proximity Media.
On the Scholastic side, Iole Lucchese and Caitlin Friedman are also executive producing, with 20th Television serving as the studio. Proximity’s Simone Harris and Dezi Gallegos will oversee development.
The story sticks close to what made the books such a hit in the first place. The official logline teases that the story “follows a group of teenagers who uncover a hidden threat lurking beneath their everyday lives, all while juggling relationships, curfews, and the chaos of High School.”
If you grew up flipping through these books, you already know things get way more intense and weird than your average teen drama.
Created by Katherine Applegate and Michael Grant, the original series centered on five teens Jake, Marco, Cassie, Rachel, and Tobias who discover Earth is under quiet invasion by parasitic aliens known as Yeerks.
Their lives change when they encounter a dying Andalite, an alien warrior fighting the Yeerks across the galaxy. Before he dies, he gives them the power to morph into any animal they touch by absorbing its DNA.
Using this ability, the group forms a secret resistance, balancing homework and high school stress with literal alien warfare. Later, they’re joined by Ax, a young Andalite stranded on Earth, expanding the scope of the fight and the mythology.
The scope of the original run is pretty massive. There were 54 mainline books, starting with Animorphs: The Invasion in 1996 and wrapping up with Animorphs: The Beginning in 2001.
Each story rotated perspectives between the core characters, which gave the series a surprisingly emotional edge. On top of that, companion titles like The Hork-Bajir Chronicles, The Andalite Chronicles, and Visser expanded the universe even further. Altogether, the franchise has sold more than 35 million copies worldwide.
Wolcott brings a solid TV background into the mix. He recently worked as a supervising producer on The Testaments at Hulu and previously wrote for Class of ’09 at FX. His credits also include The Summer I Turned Pretty and Impeachment: American Crime Story, so he’s no stranger to character-driven storytelling.
As for Coogler, he’s staying busy under his overall deal with Disney. In addition to this project, he’s developing a reboot of The X-Files starring Danielle Deadwyler and Himesh Patel. He’s also coming off major awards success with Sinners, which picked up four Oscars, including best original screenplay for Coogler.
This isn’t the first time Animorphs has hit the screen. A live-action series aired on Nickelodeon from 1998 to 2000, starring Shawn Ashmore, Brooke Nevin, Boris Cabrera, Nadia Nascimento, Christopher Ralph, Paulo Costanzo, and Eugene Lipinski. There was also an attempt to launch a film adaptation back in 2020, but that project never came together.
Disney+ has been leaning hard into YA adaptations lately, and it’s paying off. Percy Jackson and the Olympians is already heading into its third season, while a live-action Eragon series is in the works. The platform also previously ran a Goosebumps series based on R.L. Stine’s books.
Now we just have to wait and see how wild those morph sequences get.
NSYNC’s ‘Bye Bye Bye’ Choreographer Darrin Henson Files Lawsuit Against Sony Over Viral ‘Deadpool’ Dance Break & Fortnite Emote
Choreographer Darrin Henson is taking legal action after his iconic routine for NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye” resurfaced in major pop culture moments without his approval.
According to a federal lawsuit filed March 27, Henson accuses Sony Music Entertainment of licensing the choreography for use in “Deadpool & Wolverine” and Fortnite without his consent. He claims he owns the routine and never signed away his rights.
The dance, known for its puppet-inspired moves, gained renewed attention in the film’s opening sequence and as a viral in-game emote. Henson alleges others are benefiting while he has not received proper credit or payment.
“The reality is that the work belongs to Henson,” the complaint states.
Henson is now seeking a declaratory judgment to confirm ownership and recover profits tied to the choreography’s recent use.
Zendaya Believes “Euphoria” Will End With Season 3, Says ‘Closure Is Coming’
Zendaya is opening up about the future of Euphoria. During a recent appearance on The #DrewBarrymore Show, the actress shared that she believes the show’s upcoming third season could be its last, saying, “I think so, yeah,” and adding, “That closure is coming.” While #HBO has not officially confirmed whether Season 3 will mark the end, Zendaya’s comments reflect what many viewers have already suspected following the long gap between seasons.
Euphoria, which first premiered in 2019, returns for its third installment after several delays on April 12. Despite the uncertainty around the show’s future, #Zendaya made it clear that the series has had a lasting impact on her. Reflecting on her time playing Rue, she said, “Euphoria, it cracked my heart open,” and added, “Rue taught me so much about life.” She continued, “I owe so much to that show,” emphasizing the deep connection she has built with both the character and the cast over the years.
Jonathan Majors’ Film Set Accident Sparks Crew Strike Over Safety Issues
Jonathan Majors, the former Marvel star, is currently filming his first movie in four years, an untitled action project produced by The Daily Wire and Bonfire Legend in South Carolina. However, production recently encountered a major setback when crew members walked off the set, triggering an IATSE strike centered on safety and labor concerns.
According to a report by Deadline, the strike was prompted by a dangerous accident involving Majors and fellow actor JC Kilcoyne. During the filming of a scene, both actors accidentally fell through a window. The window in question had been replaced with a loosely secured sheet of tempered glass, intended to be shattered later in a stunt that did not involve any actors. Unfortunately, the glass was not properly fixed in place, causing both men to fall approximately six feet to the ground.
The incident resulted in Kilocoyne sustaining injuries that required stitches to his hands. Video footage shared by Deadline captured the crew’s shocked reaction as they rushed to assist the actors. Crew members were seen advising the actors to be cautious around the broken glass, highlighting the immediate safety risks present on set.
This accident has brought to light a broader set of safety concerns among the crew. Reports from Deadline detail additional issues such as props falling on crew members and the presence of black mold in some of the filming locations. These hazardous conditions, combined with worries about healthcare coverage—especially for below-the-line crew who are not covered under the actors' SAG-AFTRA contract—have amplified tensions on set.
Despite these problems and the strike, production on the film appears to be ongoing. Majors has not publicly commented on the incident, and Kilocoyne has reportedly returned to work. Representatives for Kilocoyne released a statement affirming that he received medical care and continues to have a “positive experience on the project.”
On the other side, producer Dallas Sonnier dismissed the strike as “illegitimate,” arguing that the production team is too busy to be distracted by the labor action. Sonnier stated, “We are too busy being bad as***, blowing sh*t up, flying helicopters, and killing movie terrorists to concern ourselves with four as**h*les with signs on the sidewalk and their illegitimate 'strike.’”
The strike has not escalated further at this time, but the underlying safety and labor concerns remain a significant issue for the film’s crew. The incident involving Jonathan Majors and Kilocoyne has brought renewed attention to the working conditions on film sets, especially for productions operating outside the protections of union contracts.
As Majors seeks to revitalize his career with this comeback role, the production’s ability to address crew safety and labor issues will be critical for the project’s continuation. The situation highlights ongoing challenges in the industry related to workplace safety, labor rights, and the treatment of crew members behind the scenes.
Readers are encouraged to share their thoughts on the matter and engage in discussions about film production safety and labor rights within the ComicBook Forum community.
Blake Lively And Justin Baldoni Trial Moves Forward Despite Settlement Talks
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni remain on course for a court trial concerning the actress's retaliation and defamation allegations. Despite efforts by a federal judge to encourage a settlement, the legal dispute between the former co-stars continues unabated.
On Monday afternoon, both parties' attorneys were instructed to participate in a conference call with Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave. The purpose of this discussion was to clarify their client's updated settlement position, aiming to assess whether any new grounds for resolving the case existed before the trial date.
Although there had been hopes for a last-minute agreement to avoid court proceedings, no definitive resolution has been reached. The upcoming trial remains scheduled for next month, where the claims of retaliation and defamation made by Lively against Baldoni will be examined thoroughly.
This ongoing litigation has attracted significant attention, with both parties represented by prominent legal teams. Support for Blake Lively has notably been strong, including backing from her agency, WME, after portions of the lawsuit were dismissed by a judge ahead of the trial.
As the litigation progresses, the entertainment industry watches closely to see if a settlement might still emerge or if the trial will proceed as planned, potentially setting important precedents for similar cases in the future
Brandy’s Memoir Reveals Musical Breakup With Darkchild Over Beyoncé, Her Stolen Signature Sound & Creative Clashes With Kanye
For fans of Brandy, revelations about collaborators like Darkchild taking her signature sound for other singers after their split over Beyoncé and Kanye West hijacking creative control might as well be blasphemy for the Vocal Bible. For the first time, the perfectly polished singer gets vulnerable about the silent battles that shaped her personal and professional life in the new memoir, Phases.
The fallout continues from from details about Wanya Morris “using” Brandy in their relationship when he was 22 and she was only 16. However, the Boyz II Men singer isn’t the only man in the industry she said betrayed her behind the scenes. In the book, she discusses the game-changing partnerships between singers and producers, like Janet Jackson and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, or Aaliyah and Timbaland. Brandy forged a similar sacred bond with Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, but she claims things took a treacherous turn after they became romantically involved.
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In Phases, Brandy recalled the moment she knew her relationship was over Darkchild after an argument ended with a jab about Beyoncé.
“We were going at it like usual, the way siblings do when they know exactly which buttons to push. Only this time, he looked me dead in the eye and said, ‘Go do what you’re gonna do while I go sell 5 MILLION records with Beyoncé.’ The words landed like a gut punch. I stormed out of the studio; humiliation burned through me like a wildfire. Left behind in the ashes was a sad realization that it was time for me to move on,” she wrote.
The working relationship started with Brandy’s admiration for his work on Mary J. Blige’s 1997 song, “I Can Love You.” The pair quickly became a powerhouse, with Darkchild producing some of her biggest hits, including “The Boy Is Mine.” Brandy discussed the synergy that defined her unique sound. Once the relationship was over, so was the exclusivity for the musical magic they made in the studio together. Darkchild not only went on to sell millions of records with other artists like he threatened, but also took their trailblazing techniques with him. Meanwhile, she claims the super producer prohibited her from continuing with the sound that made Brandy “Brandy.”
LL Cool J’s Wife Simone Smith Reflects on Being Cancer-Free: ‘You Can’t Take Life for Granted’
LL Cool J’s wife, Simone Smith, has been cancer-free for over 20 years.
The jewelry designer recently sat down on the Tamron Hall Show, where she reflected on her Stage 3 bone cancer diagnosis of chondrosarcoma in 2004, how she made it through her illness, and how her diagnosis gave birth to her jewelry brand, Simone I. Smith, in 2011.
“I wake up every morning thankful. I thank God for waking me up in my right mind. You can't take life for granted…because life will throw you some curves,” Smith said.
She explained that at the time of her diagnosis, her and LL’s daughter, Nina, was four years old.
“I was just like, ‘Ain't nobody going to raise these kids with [LL] but me. So you know you wake up and you and you fight, and I trusted God, and I knew that God had me,” Smith added. “My grandmother was still alive at the time, and I was on her 4 a.m. prayer call every single morning while I was going through it.”
She said that she kept her “faith” and instilled a “willpower” within herself to “wake up.”
“You can't surround yourself with negative people,” she continued. “I just woke up, and I was like, ‘Thank you, Jesus, for waking me up this morning. What do I need to do?’”
She also revealed that it took her two and a half years to learn how to walk again. In that time, she created her jewelry brand’s first piece: a lollipop pendant based on a tattoo she had that was disfigured during her surgery.
“I named it a sweet touch of hope. Because the candy represents how sweet life is, the bite represents what cancer does to the person, and then I have my logo that comes out of the bite that just shows my journey from being diagnosed with cancer and living cancer-free.”
Smith and LL have been married since 1995, and in that time, have welcomed four children together: a 36-year-old son named Najee, a 35-year-old daughter named Italia, a 30-year-old daughter named Samaria, and a 25-year-old daughter named Nina.
Tori Spelling and Four of Her Kids Involved in Car Crash
Tori Spelling was recently involved in a car accident in Temecula, California, with seven passengers in the vehicle.
On April 2, a speeding driver allegedly ran a red light, crashing into Spelling’s vehicle. Four of the passengers were her children, while the other three were their friends.
As reported by TMZ, “Everyone is doing alright... And, our sources say that might be due to Tori's quick thinking—and the way she maneuvered the vehicle to minimize a more severe impact.”
Spelling’s group was transported to a hospital in three separate ambulances. They were treated for cuts, bruises, and concussions. According to the sheriff’s office, no arrests were made.
This is not the first time Spelling was involved in a car crash. In 2011, she ran her vehicle into a wall while trying to flee from paparazzi. After the crash, the same paparazzi still tried taking photos of her and her two children, who were only three and four. Spelling was also pregnant with her third child at the time.
She tweeted about the incident shortly after it occurred. “Paparazzi chased me with the kids to school,” she said. “I was trying to get away from him and had a pretty big accident. Took down whole wall of school. He then STILL got out to try to get pics. 10 school moms chased him away. What will it take? Someone dying for paparazzi to stop?”
Spelling shares five children with her ex-husband, Dean McDermott. McDermott is also an actor and the host of Chopped Canada. The pair split in 2023, after over 15 years of marriage. They called their separation an amicable split and agreed to joint legal custody, although Spelling has primary physical custody of their children, Liam, Stella, Hattie, Finn, and Beau, who range in age from nine to 19.
#MENSNCAA: Michigan basketball wins its first national title since 1989 with 69-63 win over UConn
It wasn’t pretty, but Michigan has its first national title in 37 years.
The Wolverines beat UConn 69-63 to win the 2026 NCAA men’s tournament. It’s the second national championship in program history and snaps a 25-year title drought for the Big Ten. Before Michigan’s win on Monday night, Michigan State’s title in 2000 was the last time a Big Ten team had won a men’s basketball championship.
Michigan entered the game scoring at least 90 points in each of its first five NCAA tournament games. The Wolverines became the first team ever to achieve that feat. And it was quickly apparent that 90 would be well out of reach in the title game.
Though Michigan stretched its lead out in the second half, UConn had the chance to start a comeback that would have rivaled the one it pulled off in the Elite Eight against Duke when Tarris Reed made a steal and got the ball to Solo Ball for a layup to cut the lead to four as he fell out of bounds.
However, Ball’s shot didn’t go in. And as Michigan went the other way, freshman sixth man Trey McKenney buried a step-back 3-pointer that put the Wolverines up nine with 1:50 to go
A banked-in Solo Ball 3-pointer with less than a minute to go cut Michigan’s lead back to four, but after Roddy Gayle missed two free throws, UConn’s Alex Karaban missed a 3-pointer with less than 20 seconds to go that would have made it a one-point game.
McKenney then buried two free throws after he was fouled to give the Wolverines a lead that UConn couldn’t threaten again as it came up short in its bid for a third national title in four seasons.
Yaxel Lendeborg’s bucket with 5:44 to go put Michigan up 11 for the second time in the second half. The basket came after UConn’s Alex Karaban missed consecutive free throw attempts as the Huskies could have cut the lead to seven.
And after UConn got the lead back down to eight, Lendeborg was there again for Michigan by tipping in his own missed shot.
Lendeborg was hardly himself throughout Monday night’s title game. After spraining his left MCL and rolling his ankle on a drive to the hoop in Saturday’s semifinal win over Arizona, the Michigan star said there was no way he was missing the title game.
But it was clear that he was far from 100% as soon as the game began. At halftime, Lendeborg said that he felt “awful” and “super weak” but he played all 20 minutes of the first half and had a much better second half with a sleeve on that left leg.
Neither team cracked 40% from the field and they nearly set a record for the worst shooting night behind the 3-point line in national title game history.
With UConn going 9-of-33 from behind the arc and Michigan just 2-of-15, the two teams shot 22.9% from deep. That’s just a fraction better than the 22.7% that UConn and Butler shot in the Huskies’ 2011 title game win.
“If you would have told me we would shoot it this poorly and get dominated on the glass, but this team’s just found a way all season,” Michigan coach Dusty May told CBS after the game.
Michigan entered the game with a massive size advantage over UConn in the frontcourt. But the Huskies finished the game with 46 rebounds to Michigan’s 39.
The Wolverines missed their first nine shots from behind the arc before Elliot Cadeau finally hit one to give Michigan its first 11-point lead of the game with 12:56 to go.
However, Michigan made up for its struggles behind the 3-point line with its shooting at the foul stripe. The Wolverines made over 20 straight free throws before Gayle missed two in a row and they finished the game 25-of-28 on free throws.
Michigan shot so many free throws because UConn had key players in foul trouble for much of the game.
Starters Solo Ball, Silas Demary Jr. and Tarris Reed all had at least three fouls, while Jaylin Stewart also had three fouls off the bench.
Ball and Demary played a combined 17 minutes in the first half after they each picked up two fouls. Ball was big when he was on the court — he made three of his four field goal attempts and had eight points.
Both players quickly picked up a third foul in the opening minutes of the second half, too. And Ball quickly got a fourth foul when he needlessly went for the ball when Cadeau was driving to the lane.
He avoided picking up a fifth foul the rest of the game, but Demary fouled out with 1:07 to go.
UConn shot just 31% as a team as no player shot better than 50% from the floor. Karaban’s shooting struggles continued as he was just 5-of-14 overall and 3-of-10 from the 3-point line. Elite Eight hero Braylon Mullins was also 3-of-10 from behind the arc and shot 4-of-17 from the field. Reed posted another double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds, but he missed eight of his 12 shots.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
Courtesy of P.O.Wm
Charlene The Cabbage Patch Lady!
That's The Same Lady Who Had The Milk & Oreoes!
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
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