In January, Curt Cignetti completed a two-year turnaround of Indiana football, turning the Hoosiers into a national champion by utilizing the transfer portal to assemble one of the most dominant teams in college football history, including likely No. 1 overall NFL draft pick Fernando Mendoza.

On Monday, Dusty May did the basketball equivalent, completing his own two-year turnaround at Michigan by utilizing the transfer portal to assemble one of the most dominant teams in college basketball history, including likely NBA lottery pick Yaxel Lendeborg.

Even in their worst offensive showing of the season, the Wolverines beat UConn for their first title since 1989. Like Cignetti, May showed how championships are won in this new era of college athletics.

A week ago, I wrote about how Duke's title aspirations were made more difficult by a philosophy of building around 18- and 19-year-old top recruits who crumble down the stretch of high-pressure games. May and the Wolverines took a different approach.

Michigan's starting lineup had an average age of just under 22, built almost entirely through the portal. Lendeborg, 23, chose to forgo the 2025 NBA draft to join the Wolverines from UAB. Tournament Most Outstanding Player, Elliot Cadeau, joined from UNC. Morez Johnson Jr. came from Illinois. Andy Mara from UCLA. All that experience relegated the team's top recruit, 2025 McDonald's All-American Trey McKenney, to the bench.

ONE SHINING MOMENT:Watch the 2026 March Madness grand finale

That's the way forward. That's how May turned a team that went 8-24 two seasons ago into a champion so fast. The same way Cignetti turned the 3-9 Hoosiers into a champion in the same span. And yeah, it helps that they're both great coaches too. Different personalities, same results.

Michigan isn't the first basketball program to use NIL and the transfer portal to help win a title. But it's the most extreme example to date. Sans rule changes to stop player movement, it'll be the model other teams follow going forward.

Victor Wembanyama's award eligibility is at risk

Just as it seemed Victor Wembanyama would cruise to a top-two finish in MVP voting, at least, and claim a few other awards along the way, a freak injury just cropped up that could put all that in jeopardy.

Wembanyama left the Spurs' win over the 76ers Monday with a bruised rib, and his status for San Antonio's final three games is unknown. That's a problem because Wembanyama still hasn't played enough games to be award eligible. He needs to play at least 20 minutes in one of those remaining games for eligibility.

Victor Wembanyama left the game with a shoulder injury and will not return 🙏 pic.twitter.com/7k4cxXADUB

— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) April 7, 2026

If I had to guess, Wembanyama will give it a go in one of these final games to make sure he's eligible. If he's unable to, though, the timing of the injury and who it happened to might just be the thing that gets the NBA to capitulate to fan pressure to scrap the 65-game rule.

Quick hits: WNBA mock draft ... Angel Reese traded ... and more

• Where do the top WNBA prospects stand post-NCAA tournament? Let Cory Woodroof catch you up with his latest 2026 mock for next week's draft.
• Angel Reese is on the move! From the Chicago Sky to the Atlanta Dream ... But it's the Mystics who are the biggest winners from the deal.
• NASA made a Project Hail Mary reference on the Artemis II broadcast and fans loved it.
• These are the 5 greatest Masters champions dinner menus of all time, guaranteed to make your mouth water.

This was For The Win’s daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Dusty May is the Curt Cignetti of college basketball

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UConn men's basketball coach Dan Hurley might be the most expressive coach in the sport.

During Monday night's national title game to cap 2026 March Madness between the Huskies and Michigan Wolverines in Indianapolis, Hurley lit up like a firework after one of his players got called for a foul.

Just watch the way Hurley reacts and how big his eyes get. He looks like the literally shocked Chevy Chase on the National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation poster. You just know the internet is going to make this a meme once it circulates a bit.

Watching Hurley go through all of the emotions while coaching is just as entertaining as the game itself.

pic.twitter.com/GFVfnzy4ZF

— @MindOfBron (@FunKneeBone) April 7, 2026

Have fun seeing this GIF all over your social media feed this week.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Dan Hurley's shocked face gave world new meme during UConn-Michigan

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Forget about the Final Four. When it comes to predicting the outcome of tonight's NCAA Championship Game we turned to the Final Three.

We asked ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude to break down the 2026 title tilt  between UConn and Michigan and make one call in each of the bets fans care about most: moneyline, spread, total, and Most Outstanding Player. The goal was simple: examine the March Madness odds, study the matchup, and see where each model lands when the stakes are highest. Some picks line up. Others split hard.

Here’s how the bots see Monday night playing out.

UConn vs Michigan ChatGPT predictions

Market	Pick
Moneyline	Michigan	-310
Spread	UConn +7.0	-110
Total	⬇️ Under 144.5	-110
MVP	Aday Mara	+175

Moneyline: Michigan

The Wolverines have looked like the best team in the country for two straight weeks, and really for most of the season. They just became the first team ever to score 90-plus points in five games in a single NCAA tournament, and they turned a loaded Arizona team into a non-competitive semifinal by halftime. UConn’s championship pedigree is real, but Michigan’s blend of size, pace, creation and rim pressure has been overwhelming.

Spread: UConn

Dan Hurley’s team is built to make this ugly for stretches, and the Huskies have now won 19 straight NCAA tournament games from the Sweet 16 on. They just beat Illinois 71-62 in a physical, defense-first game and have the interior toughness to challenge Michigan’s frontcourt. Add in the possibility that Yaxel Lendeborg is not at full strength after the ankle/knee scare, and this number feels a touch too high for a championship setting.

Total: Under 144.5

Michigan has been playing at a blistering offensive level, but national title games usually tighten up, and UConn’s clearest path is to drag this into a more physical half-court battle. The Huskies just held Illinois to 62 points and 34% shooting, and their defense plus rebounding can shorten possessions and keep transition chances down. KenPom’s projected score of 77-70 lands above the opener by only a bucket and a half, so the Under has value if UConn succeeds in slowing tempo even modestly.

Most Outstanding Player: Aday Mara, Michigan

If Michigan wins, there is a strong chance the award goes to the player who tilts the frontcourt matchup, and Mara just delivered the kind of semifinal that sticks with voters: 26 points, nine boards and control around the rim against Arizona. Lendeborg is Michigan’s biggest name, but his health adds uncertainty. Aday Mara feels like the cleaner pick because his form is peaking at the perfect time, and another dominant title-game performance would make him very hard to ignore.

UConn vs Michigan Gemini predictions

Market	Pick
Moneyline	Michigan	-310
Spread	UConn +7.0	-110
Total	⬇️ Under 144.5	-110
MVP	Yaxel Lendeborg	+400

Moneyline: Michigan

The Wolverines have been the most complete team in college basketball all season, ranking in the Top 5 of KenPom’s adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency. While UConn’s "tournament DNA" is legendary, Michigan’s sheer talent and depth are overwhelming. With an interior anchor like Aday Mara and the playmaking of Elliott Cadeau, the Wolverines have too many ways to score. Expect Michigan to withstand the Huskies' initial punch and pull away in the second half.

Spread: UConn 

While Michigan is the likely winner, a 7.0-point spread in a National Championship game feels disrespectful to a Dan Hurley-coached squad. UConn thrives on defensive grit and elite rebounding, led by Tarris Reed Jr. (who recently dominated Illinois with 17 points and 11 boards). The Huskies specialize in turning games into "muck-it-up" affairs that stay close until the final minutes. Michigan may hoist the trophy, but UConn’s ability to shorten the game and execute in the half-court should allow them to cover this generous number.

Total: Under 144.5

Championship games at Lucas Oil Stadium often see a dip in shooting percentages due to the massive sightlines of the football stadium environment. Furthermore, both teams have shown elite defensive chops in the tournament; UConn just held a high-powered Illinois team to 34% from the field. While Michigan can put up 90 on any given night, the stakes of Monday night usually lead to a more deliberate pace and tightened rotations. Look for a physical, defensive battle that finishes in the high 60s or low 70s, staying just Under the total.

Most Outstanding Player: Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan

If Michigan secures the title, the Big Ten Player of the Year is the logical choice for MOP. Yaxel Lendeborg has been the glue for this Wolverines run, providing elite "switchability" on defense and efficient scoring in the paint. While Aday Mara might have higher scoring peaks, Lendeborg’s two-way impact and leadership have defined Michigan's identity. As the most well-rounded player on the championship favorite, he is positioned to join the ranks of tournament legends by anchoring the Wolverines' final stand.

UConn vs Michigan Claude predictions

Market	Pick
Moneyline	Michigan	-310
Spread	UConn +7.0	-110
Total	⬇️ Under 144.5	-110
MVP	Aday Mara	+175

Moneyline: Michigan

The Wolverines are the right side here. Michigan leads the nation in net rating (+39.72) and their average margin of victory in the NCAA Tournament is 21.6 points. Yes, the price is steep, but Dusty May's squad has won each of its NCAA Tournament games by double digits, and even without a fully healthy Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan's depth has allowed them to remain elite. UConn has championship pedigree, but this Wolverines team is operating on a different level.

Spread: UConn Huskies +7.0

UConn continued in its role as a spread-covering machine in March Madness, winning and covering as a 1.5-point underdog against Illinois — their fourth straight win and cover in the NCAA Tournament. Dan Hurley's genius is in game-planning, and the key for UConn will be slowing the pace — Michigan's two losses this season came in games played at 63 or fewer possessions, nearly eight below the Wolverines' average. If the Huskies can drag Michigan into a half-court grind and keep Lendeborg, who is dealing with an MCL sprain and ankle injury, from being at full capacity, they absolutely have the defensive identity to keep this one within a possession.

Total: Under 144.5

This total is the highest of the tournament for UConn by five points — and the Huskies won games that stayed Under the total in three of their past four contests. UConn's identity is built on suffocating defense, holding opponents to 93.1 points allowed per 100 possessions, one of the nation's best marks. The Huskies held Michigan State to 33.9% shooting and Illinois to 38.8% in the tournament. Even Michigan's high-octane attack will face a pace battle. Expect a methodical, physical, 130s-range final.

Most Outstanding Player: Aday Mara, Michigan

Michigan's first-half rout of Arizona was led by a huge 15-point, 5-rebound first half from center Aday Mara, who finished with a game-high 26 points and nine boards. The 7-foot-3 Spaniard is a nightmare matchup for UConn's Tarris Reed Jr. — bigger, more offensively versatile, and capable of scoring from the mid-post and at the rim. Mara is averaging 11.8 points per game on the season, but has been dominant in tournament play. If Michigan wins, Mara's interior dominance will be the story of the night.

More UConn vs Michigan predictions

• UConn vs. Michigan prop picks
• UConn vs. Michigan predictions
• UConn vs. Michigan same-game parlay picks
• UConn vs. Michigan score prediction
• UConn vs. Michigan win probability
• Yaxel Lendeborg predictions
• Alex Karaban predictions

How to watch UConn vs Michigan

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Will Michigan Wolverines star Yaxel Lendeborg play tonight in the national championship against the UConn Huskies? Almost assuredly yes. Lendeborg is not listed on the availability report, indicating he is available to play.

Will Lendeborg be Limited?

Will Lendeborg be effective is an entirely different wonder. Joint injuries are often at their worst in the days after the initial worry, and that initial worry plagued Lendeborg quite a bit in Saturday’s rout of Arizona in the Final Four.

As Wolverines head coach Dusty May said on Sunday, “[Lendeborg] played the second half like a 38-year-old at the YMCA, and a really good 38-year-old at the YMCA.

“Whatever version of Yaxel we get, it’s going to be somebody that helps us play better basketball.”

After injuring his knee — a “low-grade” MCL sprain and a “small bone bruise,” per Michigan’s trainer — Lendeborg played nearly nine minutes in the second half. He scored six points on 2-of-2 shooting from beyond the arc and grabbed two rebounds.

Lendeborg was clearly limited. No matter the blowout nature of the game, not taking a field goal inside the arc in nine minutes of action stands out as a passive offensive approach.

Injury Impact on His Game

For context, Lendeborg took 5.3 shots inside the arc per Big Ten game, and he averaged 6.8 such shots in the first four games of this NCAA Tournament. If playing his usual game, he would have attempted two or three such shots on Saturday’s second half.

Expect Yaxel Lendeborg to take the court in Indianapolis tonight, but measure any other expectations of the Michigan star.

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Saturday night, Aday Mara was a 3-cent contract on Kalshi. As of this morning, he's at 38 cents and the MOP favorite heading into tonight's National Championship Game.

That chart doesn't lie. Traders watched Mara drop 26 points on 11-for-16 shooting against Arizona's elite interior defense while Yaxel Lendeborg played 14 minutes and left with a sprained MCL and rolled ankle. The market spent the weekend repricing what Michigan actually looks like tonight, and its conclusion is blunt: Mara is now the most likely player to win this award.

The question worth asking before tip-off isn't whether Mara can win MOP. The market has already decided he's the most likely candidate. The question is whether 38 cents is a fair price or whether the surge has overshot.

What drove the movement

Lendeborg's price tells the story. He came into the Final Four at 27 cents, surged toward 35 as Michigan dominated, then cratered to 23 after the injury news settled in. He says he's still playing "unless he can't walk," but the market has now priced him as a secondary contributor rather than the decisive force. A 4-point drop for a technically active player reflects real uncertainty about his effectiveness, not his presence.

Mara's 35-point surge in 48 hours is one of the sharpest single-player moves you'll see in a tournament MOP market. That kind of repricing usually means the market found a mispricing and corrected it hard. The starting point was absurdly low; Mara at 3 cents was the market essentially ignoring him. Now it's overcorrecting in the other direction, or fairly pricing a new reality. Which one it is depends entirely on how Lendeborg's ankle holds up tonight.

The structural case for Aday Mara

This isn't just an injury narrative. Mara has scored 14+ points in eight of the last 11 games for the Michigan Wolverines. Against UConn, he draws Tarris Reed Jr., who's an excellent player but gave up 26 points to a nearly identical offensive center profile two days ago. UConn ranks 229th nationally in opponent block rate, which means Mara will be operating in space he typically doesn't find against elite competition.

The MOP award is almost always won by the most impactful player on the winning team. Michigan is a 74% favorite to win the title on Kalshi. If the Wolverines win and Lendeborg is at 70% health, Mara is the player most likely to fill that production gap.

The honest tension in the market

Reed at 19 cents is up 10 points from Saturday, a significant move for a player on the 26% side of the title market. Traders are pricing a UConn Huskies upset scenario, and if they win, Reed is almost certainly walking away with MOP. He's averaged 21.8 points and 13.5 rebounds this tournament. The 31-point, 27-rebound performance against Furman in the first round is the kind of thing MOP voters don't forget.

If you think UConn is underpriced at 26 cents to win the title, and there's a reasonable case given their dynasty-level experience under Dan Hurley, then Reed at 19 cents is the most interesting contract on this board. You're essentially getting a leveraged play on a UConn upset.

The bottom line

The market's overnight repricing is rational. Mara at 3 cents was wrong. Whether 38 cents is right depends on one variable: how many minutes Lendeborg plays and how effective he is when he's out there.

If he's limited to 20 minutes of half-speed basketball, Mara at 38 is probably fair or even cheap. If Lendeborg plays through it and looks like himself, Mara just became expensive, and Lendeborg is a clear value trade. 

The market has done the heavy lifting of identifying the right question. Your view on Lendeborg's ankle is now the trade.

Prices as of 1:30 PM ET. This market is live and moves continuously until tip-off, check current prices at Kalshi before trading.

Trade the MOP market on Kalshi.

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On Sunday, a Big Ten team won the NCAA women's basketball tournament championship for the first time since all the way back in 1999, with conference newcomer UCLA thumping South Carolina 79-51.

Tonight at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, the league will hope a similarly long drought will come to a merciful end.

Michigan men's basketball's matchup against UConn in the championship game of the 2026 NCAA Tournament is more than just an opportunity for the Wolverines to earn their second championship (and first since 1989) and for coach Dusty May to complete one of the more remarkable turnarounds in the history of the sport.

REQUIRED READING: 5 reasons Michigan will beat UConn for national championship — and one reason it won't

For all the Big Ten's money, influence and power in the broader world of college athletics, the conference hasn't seen one of its men's basketball programs win an NCAA championship since all the way back in 2000. Since then, UConn, Michigan's opponent on Monday night, has won five national championships by itself.

What’s made the drought so confounding is Big Ten teams haven gotten close to winning a championship. It’s not as if this is the Patriot League or the WAC, where it has a single representative in the tournament that’s fortunate to win a game. Big Ten teams regularly reach the biggest and brightest stages in college basketball; they just haven’t been able to close the deal.

Since Michigan State’s title in 2000, and not including Michigan this year, 15 teams from the conference have made it to the Final Four. Eight of those squads advanced to the national championship game, but in each instance, they lost. A couple of them came agonizingly close, with Illinois losing to North Carolina, 75-70, in 2005 and Wisconsin coming up short against Duke, 68-63, in 2015.

It’s not like its teams haven’t been in advantageous spots entering the tournament in recent years, either. Since the NCAA Tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985, 35 of the 40 national champions (87.5%) have been a No. 1, No. 2 or No. 3 seed. Since 2018, Big Ten teams have accounted for 17 of those 84 spots on the bracket (20.2%).

Even if current Big Ten compatriot Maryland, which won the national championship in 2002 while a member of the ACC, was included as one of the Big Ten’s championships, the conference has still gone nearly a quarter-century without a title.

During that same stretch, other power conferences have repeatedly had its teams hoist a trophy at the end of the Final Four.

Since 2000, the Big East and ACC have each had eight teams win championships. During that same stretch, the SEC has had four champions and the Big 12 three. Even the American, which has disintegrated in recent years into a one- or two-bid league, had a title-winner on its resume, thanks to UConn in 2014.

When did Big 10 last win men's basketball national championship?

A team representing the Big Ten hasn't won an NCAA men's basketball national championship since Michigan State all the way back in 2000.

The Spartans' 89-76 victory against Florida in the NCAA tournament title game capped off a 32-7 season under Tom Izzo, who was then just in his fifth season leading the program.

That year's Michigan State team was built around three players — Morris Peterson, Charlie Bell and Final Four most outstanding player Mateen Cleaves — nicknamed "The Flintstones," as all three members of the trio were from Flint, Michigan, about 50 miles northeast of Michigan State's East Lansing campus.

Interestingly, the Spartans' triumph took place in Indianapolis, where this year's Final Four is being held.

Why has Big Ten basketball gone so long without winning a national championship?

There are a number of factors that have contributed to the Big Ten’s tournament woes.

For one, it’s a single-elimination format that can create unexpected results and doesn't necessarily always reward the best teams. For years, the league's physical style of play was cited as a possible cause for the drought, with referees who don't consistently work Big Ten games getting assigned to the tournament and calling those teams' games with a tighter whistle.

Beyond that, many of the Big Ten teams that lost the national championship game had the misfortune of running up against some of the best teams in modern college basketball history. The North Carolina team Illinois lost to in 2005 was 33-4 and had four of the top 14 picks in that year’s NBA draft. Two years later, a Greg Oden and Mike Conley-led Ohio State team lost to a Florida team that brought back the entire starting five from its national championship team the year before. In 2009, Michigan State was blown out by a North Carolina team that was 34-4. Wisconsin came up short against a 2015 Duke team that won 35 games and had two top-10 NBA draft picks. Michigan was handled by a 2018 Villanova squad that won 36 games and had Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges and Donte DiVincenzo on its roster. Two years ago, Zach Edey and Purdue weren’t able to hang with a buzzsaw of a UConn team that had won 27 of its previous 28 games, including five NCAA Tournament games that were decided by an average of 25 points.

REQUIRED READING: How Dusty May built Michigan into this behemoth. He aced transfer portal

Big Ten basketball national championship losses

Here’s a look at Big Ten teams that have lost in the national championship game in the years since Michigan State’s NCAA title in 2000:

• 2002: Maryland 64, Indiana 52
• 2005: North Carolina 75, Illinois 70
• 2007: Florida 84, Ohio State 75
• 2009: North Carolina 89, Michigan State 72
• 2013: Louisville 82, Michigan 76
• 2015: Duke 68, Wisconsin 63
• 2018: Villanova 79, Michigan 62
• 2024: Connecticut 75, Purdue 60

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When did Big Ten last win men's basketball national championship?

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The Michigan Wolverines and UConn Huskies face off in the National Championship Game tonight.

This should be a terrific game between a dominant Wolverines squad anchored by transfers, and a Huskies program aiming for a third title in four years under Dan Hurley. 

My UConn vs. Michigan predictions and March Madness picks are betting on the Wolverines to cut down the nets thanks to their strong interior play and outside shooting.

See how that factors into my UConn vs. Michigan same-game parlay picks for April 6.

Our best UConn vs Michigan SGP

The UConn Huskies are a well-coached program with championship experience and a strong starting lineup. That said, they had some struggles down the stretch, losing twice to Saint John's while also dropping games against bad Creighton and Marquette teams.

They had razor-close wins against Michigan State and Duke before beating Illinois 71-62 in the Final Four.

Meanwhile, the Michigan Wolverines are the highest-rated team in KenPom history and have looked unstoppable in the tournament, winning every game by more than 12 points. That includes their 91-73 Final Four beatdown of Arizona, which was widely considered the second-best team in the country.

The Wolverines clobbered the Wildcats despite leading scorer Yaxel Lendeborg playing just 14 minutes due to ankle and knee injuries. Lendeborg will play in the Final, and even if he isn't at full strength, the Wolverines have the size, athleticism, and depth to give UConn fits.

Two of the biggest reasons for the Wolverines' recent domination has been their red-hot perimeter shooting, and the offensive improvement of Aday Mara.

Five-star freshman Trey McKenney went 4-for-6 from deep against Arizona, and has drained more than 1.5 threes in eight of the last 12 games.

UConn's best perimeter defender Silas Demary Jr. will likely guard PG Elliot Cadeau, giving McKenney a more favorable matchup against Braylon Mullens or Solo Ball, the latter of which is dealing with a foot sprain.

Meanwhile, Mara has scored 14+ points in eight of the last 11 games, including a 26-point performance against Arizona's elite interior defense. Michigan will need the 7-foot-3 center on the floor as much as possible to battle Tarris Reed Jr, and he could carry more of the offensive load if Lendeborg is limited.

With Mara controlling the paint and McKenney bombing threes, the Wolverines should win their first title since 1989.

UConn vs Michigan SGP

• Michigan moneyline
• Aday Mara Over 13.5 points
• Trey McKenney Over 1.5 threes

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Monday night's NCAA men's national championship game in Indianapolis will feature two excellent teams in UConn and Michigan in a fight for a title.

Who will be on the call for CBS Sports, you might wonder. Well, it's the network's top broadcasting team.

The main group of play-by-play announcer Ian Eagle, analysts Bill Raftery and Grant Hill and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson will be on the call for the national title game. Gene Steratore will be on hand as the rules analyst.

That's as good of a crew as you can ask for as we prepare for what's shaping up to be a battle for the bracket.

What time does the game start?

The game will start at 8:50 p.m. ET on TBS.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: UConn-Michigan announcers: Who will call the men's title game?

The men’s college basketball season comes to a close Monday night with two accomplished programs set to square off for the 2026 NCAA national championship at the Final Four in Indianapolis.

In this corner, we have a potent Michigan squad that dominated the loaded Big Ten during the regular season and has seemingly flipped the switch to activate juggernaut mode in the NCAA tournament. The Wolverines hope to hoist a second championship banner and overcome a history of championship game disappointments.

Then there’s UConn, the most successful March Madness operation of the 2020’s thus far. The Huskies have already called upon some tourney magic to reach this point and are now seeking a third title in four years and seventh overall.

PREDICTIONS: Our picks for Michigan-Connecticut title game

PORTAL KING: How Dusty May built Michigan basketball into this behemoth

Here’s all you need to know about how, when, and whom to watch.

No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 2 Connecticut

Time/TV: 8:49 p.m. ET, TNT

If you’re a casual observer hoping to see a competitive event, there’s a strong possibility you’ll be disappointed given what we’ve witnessed over the last couple of weeks from the Wolverines. Their well-oiled offensive machine has made them the first team in tournament history to crack 90 points in their first five games. Michigan’s biggest concern is the health of standout forward Yaxel Lendeborg, but even if his minutes are limited by his bad left knee he will make the most of his time on the court. Meanwhile, Elliot Cadeau has been able to control the action on the floor even with a majority of his own shots not falling, and Aday Mara has dominated the paint on both ends. Those performances in turn have allowed Morez Johnson Jr. to orchestrate some spectacular finishes at the rim and helped emerging star Trey McKenney find open looks from the arc.

The Wolverines can be beaten – they’re not undefeated after all –, and UConn is capable of it if a lot of things go right. First and foremost, the Huskies have to hit three-pointers. Braylon Mullins seems to have worked through his mini slump, but now Solo Ball and Alex Karaban must do the same. Another thing the Huskies must do is win the turnover battle. Their relentless ball pressure is effective against many opponents, but Michigan’s experienced handlers will be ready for it. Finally, Tarris Reed and Co. will at least have to hold their own for the Huskies on the glass and not allow Michigan to generate second-chance points.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: March Madness games today: Michigan, Connecticut clash leads schedule

When Connecticut basketball announced its return to the Big East ahead of the 2019-2020 season, it was a moment that signified the return of one of the original members and powerhouses of the conference.

It came at a time when relative newcomer Dan Hurley was working on bringing the winning culture and toughness of the Jim Calhoun era back, and was trying to find the right players to execute his vision and playbook.

Since then, in spite of his lone losing record at UConn in his first season, Hurley has not just restored those two things. He's returned the program to its national prominence. ... And has done it at an exceptional level.

REQUIRED READING: Is UConn a blue blood? Huskies may be the bluest. Ranking college basketball's top programs

Hurley has the Huskies sitting in the Men's NCAA Tournament title game for the third time in the last four seasons on April 6 vs. No. 1 Michigan. It's a level of work by Hurley that had former Auburn coach Bruce Pearl saying he's doing "stuff that John Wooden did" on TNT after UConn's Final Four win over No. 3 Illinois on April 4.

Should the Huskies be able to stop the Wolverines, the No. 1 team in KenPom, inside Lucas Oil Stadium, it'd be a remarkable and historic feat for the program, since not many Division I men's college basketball programs have done what they'll look to do in a four year span.

Here's what to know on UConn's national championship titles:

How many national championships does UConn men's basketball have?

UConn has won six national championships in men's basketball, with three of them coming under Calhoun, who is responsible for the Huskies' initial rise to a powerhouse program inside the Big East and the country.

The Huskies' first men's national championship came in 1999, when Calhoun's squad defeated Duke 77-74 inside Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. Richard Hamilton finished with 27 points against the Blue Devils, which featured NBA talent in Trajan Langdon and Elton Brand. To get to the finals, the Huskies defeated Ohio State in the national semifinals, the first Final Four in program history.

Calhoun would lead the program to two more national titles in 2004 and 2011, with the latter coming during the Kemba Walker postseason run that featured a famous step-back jumper in the Big East Tournament championship vs. No. 3 Pitt.

UConn's last two national championships under Hurley in 2023 and 2024 have made the Big East responsible for four of the last nine Men's March Madness titles heading into Monday's game.

Here's a breakdown of when the Huskies have won the Men's NCAA Tournament:

• 1999: beat Duke, 77-74
• 2004: beat Georgia Tech, 82-73
• 2011: beat Butler, 53-41
• 2014: beat Kentucky, 60-54
• 2023: beat San Diego State, 76-59
• 2024: beat Purdue, 75-60

UConn basketball record in Men's NCAA Tournament national championship game

UConn is an impressive 6-0 in the Men's NCAA Tournament national championship game. The Huskies are 2-0 in the title game under Dan Hurley.

Which team has most NCAA Tournament national championships?

UConn is tied for the third-most Men's NCAA Tournament titles with North Carolina at six. Only UCLA and Kentucky have more national titles than the Huskies.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: UConn men's basketball national championships: Huskies looking to add

Both Michigan and UConn are banged up entering the national championship game on Monday, April 6.

Wolverines star Yaxel Lendeborg, a first-team All-American this season, was limited to 14 minutes in Michigan's Final Four win over Arizona after suffering a knee injury in the first half. He also re-aggravated his ankle, stemming from earlier in the season in the Big Ten Conference Tournament.

Meanwhile, multi-year starting UConn guard Solo Ball's status is also unknown. Ball was seen with a boot on his foot during April 5's walkthrough, and coach Dan Hurley said he was unavailable for practice.

REQUIRED READING: Michigan vs UConn prediction, spread: Who is favored to win national championship?

Both teams could look a bit different when they square off at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, or at least less than 100% healthy for the final game of the season.

Here's a look at our six most important players for the national championship between No. 1 seed Michigan and No. 2 UConn:

Most important players of Michigan vs UConn national championship game

Yaxel Lendeborg

In one way or another, Lendeborg's presence will be felt — or it won't.

The 6-foot-9 forward was one of the best players in college basketball this season, averaging 15.1 points with 6.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game after transferring from UAB. While Michigan still defeated Arizona 91-73 in the Final Four without Lendeborg only playing 14 minutes, the Wolverines are still — obviously — a much better team with Lendeborg in the fold.

Lendeborg was playing his best basketball heading into the Final Four, with consecutive performances of 25, 23 and 27 points against Saint Louis, Alabama and Tennessee respectively. He might not be as mobile against UConn as in prior NCAA Tournament games but can potentially still impact the game old-head style.

"He played the second half like a 38-year-old at the YMCA, and a really good 38-year-old at the YMCA," Michigan coach Dusty May said April 5. "Whatever version of Yaxel we get it's going to be somebody that helps us play better basketball."

Tarris Reed Jr.

UConn's offense runs through Tarris Reed Jr., a who has an argument as the most impactful player in the NCAA Tournament this season. The 6-foot-11 center is also facing his former team, adding potential fuel to the fire.

The first-year Huskies starter is averaging 14.8 points with 8.8 rebounds per game, although those totals have jumped to 20.8 points with 13 rebounds per contest in March Madness. He outdueled likely national player of the year Cameron Boozer and top-seeded Duke in the Elite Eight, finishing with a ridiculous stat line of 26 points with nine rebounds, three assists, four blocks and two steals on 10-of-16 shooting.

It's hard to imagine UConn having a path to winning without Reed.

Aday Mara

Aday Mara saved his career-best performance for a perfect time against Arizona in the Final Four, scoring a career-high 26 points with nine rebounds, three assists and two blocks on 11-of-16 shooting.

The 7-foot-3 first-year transfer from UCLA will be tasked with stopping Reed, who has been a force to be reckoned with during the NCAA Tournament. Mara vs. Reed will be a strength-vs.-strength matchup for Michigan and UConn.

Solo Ball

Ball has been one of UConn's most-reliable 3-pointer shooters for three seasons, but the veteran starter could potentially miss the national championship due to injury.

The 6-foot-4 junior is a vital part of the Huskies' offense and is attempting 9.4 3-pointers per game in March Madness. Losing Ball would be a huge blow and would put added pressure on true freshman Braylon Mullins and fourth-year starter Alex Karaban, UConn's other top 3-point shooters.

"I'm just listening to the medical staff," Ball said when asked if he'll play Monday night against Michigan. "I've been preparing and doing rehab already. So definitely just preparing the same way as (if) I'm playing."

Alex Karaban

Alex Karaban is the "best babysitter," according to coach Dan Hurley. The fourth-year starter has been with the program for five years after redshirting as a true freshman, and is looking for third national championship as a player.

The NCAA Tournament's all-time wins leader among players is 3-of-18 shooting in UConn's last two wins over Duke and Illinois, and the Huskies will need its leader for their best shot at Michigan.

The 6-foot-8 wing stepped up and made a huge shot in UConn's upset win over Duke in the Elite Eight, although the 3-pointer to pull within two points with under a minute left was overshadowed by Braylon Mullins' heroic game-winning 3-pointer. Mr. UConn will be relied on in his final collegiate game.

Elliot Cadeau

A former five-star recruit, Michigan point guard Elliot Cadeau didn't live up to his potential in two seasons at North Carolina. The junior has been outstanding for the Wolverines in March Madness, though.

The 6-foot-1 guard is averaging an NCAA Tournament-leading 8.6 assists per game, serving as an offensive hub for Michigan's potent attack. He's also averaging 11 points per game and shooting 40.7% from 3-point range, and could be asked for more responsibility if Lendeborg is limited due to injury.

Regardless, the ball will be in his hands a lot in the national championship game.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Michigan vs UConn national championship game most important players

Dan Hurley is on the doorstep of history.

The Connecticut men's basketball coach could make history with another win on Monday, April 6, against No. 1 Michigan in the national championship game of the 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament.

REQUIRED READING: NCAA championship game predictions: AI picks winner of UConn vs Michigan

Hurley led the Huskies to back-to-back national titles in 2023 and 2024, pushing UConn to six titles in program history (all of which occurred from 1999-onward). If he wins another, he would join a short list of elite men's college basketball coaches to win at least three NCAA championships.

Here's what you need to know about coaches who have won at least three national titles in NCAA history:

How many coaches have won three NCAA championships?

Sixteen NCAA coaches have at least two NCAA titles during their coaching careers, which includes Hurley. However, only six coaches have ever won more than three national championships during their careers.

The list that Hurley is looking to join includes UCLA's John Wooden; Duke's Mike Krzyzewski; Kentucky's Adolph Rupp; North Carolina's Roy Williams; UConn's Jim Calhoun; and Indiana's Bob Knight. Rupp was the first to achieve the feat in 1951, with Williams the most recent three-time national champion following the Tar Heels' 2017 championship.

With a win on Monday, Hurley would tie Calhoun with three titles, the most in Huskies' program history.

Men's college basketball coaches with most national championships

Here's a look at the list of NCAA men's college basketball coaches with the most national championships. Of note, current St. John's coach Rick Pitino is not on the list after having his second title, with Louisville, in 2013 vacated by the NCAA.

• 1. John Wooden, 10 (UCLA)
• 2. Mike Krzyzewski, 5 (Duke)
• 3. Adolph Rupp, 4 (Kentucky)
• T-4. Bob Knight, 3 (Indiana)
• T-4. Roy Williams, 3 (North Carolina)
• T-4. Jim Calhoun, 3 (UConn)
• T-7. Dan Hurley, 2 (UConn)
• T-7. Billy Donvoan, 2 (Florida)
• T-7. Denny Crum, 2 (Louisville)
• T-7. Henry Iba, 2 (Oklahoma State)
• T-7. Ed Jucker, 2 (Cincinnati)
• T-7. Branch McCracken, 2 (Indiana)
• T-7. Dean Smith 2, (North Carolina)
• T-7. Phil Wollpert, 2 (San Francisco)
• T-7. Jay Wright, 2 (Villanova)
• T-7. Bill Self, 2 (Kansas)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How many coaches have won three or more national championships?

The national championship game of the 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament between No. 1 Michigan and No. 2 Connecticut will have a lot on the line.

Obviously, the biggest thing on the line will be who wins the national title for the 2025-26 men's college basketball season. But, while a title would be significant for both programs, not all national championships are created equal: A win would mean something different for the Huskies as opposed to the Wolverines.

REQUIRED READING: Yaxel Lendeborg is best player in Final Four. Toughest, too. | Opinion

A win for the Huskies would cement them as a modern-day dynasty and move them further up the list of all-time national championship winners, while the Wolverines would break a historic title drought for the Big Ten Conference while becoming one of only a few programs to win multiple championships.

Ahead of their national championship meeting, here's a look at which programs have the most national titles in NCAA Tournament history:

Who has the most March Madness national titles?

UCLA leads all Division I men's basketball programs, with 11 championships. The Bruins' last championship came in 1995, when they defeated Arkansas 89-78.

The vast majority of UCLA's championships came under John Wooden between 1964 and 1975, when the program held a chokehold on the sport by winning 10 national titles in 12 seasons. That included a window of seven straight championships between 1967 and 1973.

Teams with most NCAA championships

While UCLA has the most national championships, Kentucky is a close second, with eight national titles. UConn enters its championship game appearance vs. Michigan with six championships, putting it in a tie for third with North Carolina.

Here's a look at the men's programs with the most NCAA Tournament national championships:

• 1. UCLA, 11 (1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1995)
• 2. Kentucky, 8 (1948, 1949, 1951, 1958, 1978, 1996, 1998, 2012)
• T-3. UConn, 6 (1999, 2004, 2011, 2014, 2023, 2024)
• T-3. UNC, 6 (1957, 1982, 1993, 2005, 2009, 2017)
• T-5. Duke, 5 (1991, 1992, 2001, 2010, 2015)
• T-5. Indiana, 5 (1940, 1953, 1976, 1981, 1987)
• 7. Kansas, 4 (1952, 1988, 2008, 2022)
• T-8. Villanova, 3 (1985, 2016, 2018)
• T-8. Florida, 3 (2006, 2007, 2025)
• T-10. Louisville 2* (1980, 1986)
• T-10. Michigan State (1979, 2000)
• T-10. Cincinnati (1961, 1962)
• T-10. North Carolina State (1974, 1983)
• T-10. Oklahoma State (1945, 1946)
• T-10. San Francisco (1955, 1956)

* Does not include Louisville's 2013 national championship, which was vacated by the NCAA

NCAA Tournament champions by year

Here's a look at the year-by-year NCAA Tournament national champions in men's basketball, since 2006. The full list can be found here:

• 2025: Florida defeats Houston, 65-63
• 2024: UConn defeats Purdue, 75-60
• 2023: UConn defeats San Diego State, 76-59
• 2022: Kansas defeats North Carolina, 72-69
• 2021: Baylor defeats Gonzaga, 86-70
• 2020: Canceled due to COVID-19
• 2019: Virginia defeats Texas Tech, 85-77, OT
• 2018: Villanova defeats Michigan, 79-62
• 2017: North Carolina defeats Gonzaga, 71-65
• 2016: Villanova defeats North Carolina, 77-74
• 2015: Duke defeats Wisconsin, 6-63
• 2014: UConn defeats Kentucky, 60-54
• 2013: Louisville defeats Michigan, 82-76 *
• 2012: Kentucky defeats Kansas, 67-59
• 2011: UConn defeats Butler, 53-41
• 2010: Duke defeats Butler, 61-59
• 2009: North Carolina defeats Michigan State, 89-72
• 2008: Kansas defeats Memphis, 75-68, OT
• 2007: Florida defeats Ohio State, 84-75
• 2006: Florida defeats UCLA, 73-57

* vacated by NCAA

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Which team has most NCAA championships? Ranking March Madness title winners

There will be a new men's basketball champion in 2026 — or, at least, there won't be a repeat champion.

Following the conclusion of the Final Four national semifinal games, the 2026 Men's NCAA Tournamentnational championship game will feature No. 1 seed Michigan — looking for its second-ever NCAA Tournament title and first since 1989 — and No. 2 seed UConn, which is aiming for its third in four seasons under coach Dan Hurley.

REQUIRED READING: Yaxel Lendeborg is best player in Final Four. Toughest, too. | Opinion

Regardless of who wins between the Wolverines, college basketball was guaranteed a new champion this season as early as the first weekend of March Madness, when last year's national champion was shocked with a second-round exit.

Here's what you need to know about who won the 2025 men's national championship, who has the most championships and past champions:

Who won NCAA championship last year?

Florida won the 2025 Men's NCAA Tournament national championship last season. The Gators defeated Kelvin Sampson's Houston 65-63 in the championship round at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

The Gators also defeated No. 16 Norfolk State (95-69), No. 8 UConn (77-75), No. 4 Maryland (87-71) and No. 3 Texas Tech (84-79) in their path to the 2025 Final Four. Florida defeated No. 1 Auburn 79-73 in the national semifinal.

The Gators entered the 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament having won the SEC regular season championship and earning a No. 1 seed in March Madness for the second straight season. The Gators opened March Madness with a dominant win over No. 16 seed Prairie View A&M (114-55) in the South Region.

However, No. 9 seed Iowa bounced Florida in the second round, 73-72, on a game-winning shot by Alvaro Folgueiras. The Gators had a shot at their own buzzer-beater, but ran out of time when guard Xavien Lee attempted to get to the basket and find one of his big men for a layup down low.

Todd Golden and Co. were seeking to become just the second program in NCAA history to repeat twice after winning national championships in 2006 and 2007.

REQUIRED READING: Braylon Mullins keeps hitting big shots for UConn in Final Four win

Most men's NCAA championships

UCLA leads all men's programs with 11 NCAA Tournament championships, the last of which came in 1995. Kentucky is No. 2 all time with eight titles, while UConn is tied with North Carolina with six (all of which came from 1999 onward).

Here's a look at the men's programs with the most NCAA Tournament national championships:

• 1. UCLA, 11 (1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1995)
• 2. Kentucky, 8 (1948, 1949, 1951, 1958, 1978, 1996, 1998, 2012)
• T-3. UConn, 6 (1999, 2004, 2011, 2014, 2023, 2024)
• T-3. UNC, 6 (1957, 1982, 1993, 2005, 2009, 2017)
• T-5. Duke, 5 (1991, 1992, 2001, 2010, 2015)
• T-5. Indiana, 5 (1940, 1953, 1976, 1981, 1987)
• 7. Kansas, 4, (1952, 1988, 2008, 2022)
• T-8. Villanova (1985, 2016, 2018)
• T-8. Florida (2006, 2007, 2025)

REQUIRED READING: Michigan overcomes Yaxel Lendeborg injury in Final Four demolition of Arizona

NCAA Tournament champions by year

Here's a look at the year-by-year NCAA Tournament national champions in men's basketball, since 2006. The full list can be found here:

• 2025: Florida defeats Houston, 65-63
• 2024: UConn defeats Purdue, 75-60
• 2023: UConn defeats San Diego State, 76-59
• 2022: Kansas defeats North Carolina, 72-69
• 2021: Baylor defeats Gonzaga, 86-70
• 2020: Canceled due to COVID-19
• 2019: Virginia defeats Texas Tech, 85-77, OT
• 2018: Villanova defeats Michigan, 79-62
• 2017: North Carolina defeats Gonzaga, 71-65
• 2016: Villanova defeats North Carolina, 77-74
• 2015: Duke defeats Wisconsin, 6-63
• 2014: UConn defeats Kentucky, 60-54
• 2013: Louisville defeats Michigan, 82-76
• 2012: Kentucky defeats Kansas, 67-59
• 2011: UConn defeats Butler, 53-41
• 2010: Duke defeats Butler, 61-59
• 2009: North Carolina defeats Michigan State, 89-72
• 2008: Kansas defeats Memphis, 75-68, OT
• 2007: Florida defeats Ohio State, 84-75
• 2006: Florida defeats UCLA, 73-57

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who won 2025 Men's NCAA Tournament championship? NCAA championship history

Michigan star Yaxel Lendeborg is dealing with multiple injuries heading into the national championship game against Connecticut on Monday, April 6.

The first-team All-American forward and Big Ten Player of the Year was held to 14 minutes in the Wolverines' 91-73 dominant win over Arizona in the Final Four, as he dealt with ankle and knee injuries that were re-aggravated in the first half against the Wildcats.

REQUIRED READING: Michigan overcomes Yaxel Lendeborg injury in Final Four demolition of Arizona

Lendeborg, a first-year transfer from UAB, was the most sought-after transfer portal recruit last season and he has proved it in 2025-26. The 6-foot-9 forward is averaging 15.1 points with 6.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game this season, and his points-per-game average has risen to 19 points per contest in the NCAA Tournament.

Lendeborg returned late in the second half of Michigan's win, and will spend the next day preparing for his final collegiate game.

Here's everything to know of Lendeborg's injury before the national championship game:

Will Yaxel Lendeborg play vs UConn in national championship game?

Lendeborg is dealing with a sprained MCL and a tweaked ankle, which he has been playing with since the Big Ten Conference Tournament. He said he will play against UConn in the national championship game, although likely not at 100%.

"I'm sure he'll give it a go tomorrow, but that'd be entirely up to him and the medical staff," Michigan coach Dusty May said April 5.

Lendeborg explained what happened on the play after the game on April 4, and also said he's playing no matter what.

"I tried to go up for a dunk in between three people like a dummy," Lendeborg told CBS Sports after the game. "I stepped on (Arizona forward Motiejus) Krivas' foot, turned (and) felt the pain right away. My knee, at worst is like an MCL sprain. ... My ankle got re-rolled, so that's bothering me a little bit.

"But I'm going to feel good, I'm going to do a lot to work on it and I'm playing on Monday for sure, no matter what."

Yaxel Lendeborg injury update

Lendeborg exited the floor and entered the locker room with 8:51 in the first half against Arizona after injuring his knee and ankle. He didn't return for the first half but did start the second half with a brace on his knee, playing 14 total minutes.

Lendeborg, a projected first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, said his agent and his mom both said he should sit out the first half, but he declined. His imaging and MRI came back clear after testing on April 5.

When Lendeborg returned in the second half, he was clearly hobbled. May said whatever version of Lendeborg they get still makes the Wolverines a better team, though.

"He played the second half like a 38-year-old at the YMCA, and a really good 38-year-old at the YMCA," May said. "Whatever version of Yaxel we get it's going to be somebody that helps us play better basketball."

Yaxel Lendeborg stats

Here are Lendeborg's per-game averages in 2025-26, along with his final stats from each of Michigan's NCAA Tournament wins this season:

• 2025-26: 15.1 points with 6.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game on 52.3% shooting

NCAA Tournament

• vs. No. 16 Howard: 9 points with 4 rebounds and 4 assists on 40% shooting
• vs. No. 9 Saint Louis: 25 points with 6 rebounds and 2 assists on 69.2% shooting
• vs. No. 4 Alabama: 23 points with 12 rebounds and 7 assists on 66.7% shooting
• vs. No. 6 Tennessee: 27 points with 7 rebounds and 4 assists on 52.6% shooting
• vs. No. 1 Arizona: 11 points with 3 rebounds and 1 assist on 75% shooting

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will Yaxel Lendeborg play in national championship game for Michigan?

Dusty May will be the coach at Michigan beyond Monday's Men's NCAA Tournament championship game.

In a statement to Tony Garcia of the Detroit Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network, Wolverines athletic director Warde Manuel put speculation and rumors around May as North Carolina's potential next head coach to bed.

It had been reported by multiple outlets on April 5 that May, a reported top candidate in the Tar Heels' search, had told Michigan he was not looking to take a different job.

Yaxel Lendeborg injury update: Michigan star says he'll play in national championship

"We had a great conversation about his future at Michigan and my commitment to him, his staff and his team," Manuel told the Detroit Free Press on Sunday evening. "Thrilled to have him continuing to lead our men's basketball team and to have Anna [his wife] and his family remain in Ann Arbor.

"His focus and mine is on the game Monday night versus UConn."

May fielded multiple questions about his name being tossed into the North Carolina job search at the Final Four in Indianapolis, but never named the Tar Heels directly in his responses.

"After last year, I decided I'll never respond to any job speculation. I had already agreed to terms with Michigan, was 100% done, and I made the comment that I was flattered about a certain job opening because of my background, and that was misconstrued, so I just decided I'm never going to comment on any job that I don't have," May said on Friday, April 3 in a media availability.

REQUIRED READING: Can UConn beat Michigan? Huskies have a better chance than you think

"I think it's well documented how happy I am at Michigan. Obviously, my private life, my personal life, my family, their happiness is very important. I love it at Michigan, but you'll never hear me comment on any other job unless Michigan lets me go, and then I'll comment on every job."

In two seasons under May, the Wolverines have quickly jumped back up to the top of the Big Ten standings. Last season, Michigan improved its win total by 19 games under May from a year prior and made it to the Sweet 16, where it lost to Auburn.

This year, the Wolverines have been one of the top programs in the country for much of the season. He led the program to the Big Ten outright regular season title and a No. 1 seed in the Big Dance for the fourth time in program history.

As noted by USA TODAY, May signed a new contract with Michigan in February 2025, just under a year after he became the Wolverines' next coach. His current deal is through the 2030 season, according to his contract obtained by USA TODAY Sports.

His base salary for the 2025-26 season was $4.6 million and will see an increase to $4.85 million next season if his current deal doesn't change, which seems likely to happen after the type of season the Wolverines have had.

Monday night's national championship game at 8:50 p.m. ET inside Lucas Oil Stadium against No. 2 UConn will be the first May has coached in, and the program's first since they lost to Villanova in 2018. The Wolverines cruised through their Final Four semifinal over No. 1 Arizona, even with Yaxel Lendeborg sustaining multiple injuries and playing through them.

Should the Wolverines win Monday night, it will be the first men's basketball title for the Big Ten in over two decades, with the last one coming from their in-state rival, Michigan State, in 2000.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dusty May staying at Michigan, won't seek UNC basketball or other jobs

INDIANAPOLIS – The men’s national championship game has Dan Hurley feeling like he’s in “Space Jam.”

Not because he feels like he’s got Michael Jordan and his secret stuff. Yes, he does have Bill Murray on his side, but he won’t be a last-minute substitution. 

It’s because Connecticut is about to face the “Monstars.”

The Final Four magic Hurley has crafted — 5-0 in his career — will face its toughest challenge yet with the vaunted No. 1 seed Michigan awaiting the Huskies in Lucas Oil Stadium, playing like it gained some basketball superpower to make them supersized and on a warpath to make UConn its final victim to punctuate a dominant season.

“Their size kind of do remind you of the Monstars,” said UConn guard Silas Demary Jr.

Michigan vs UConn prediction, spread: Who is favored to win national championship?

Monstrous would be one way to describe Michigan’s performance against Arizona. A game billed as the true national championship between the two heavyweights of the season looked like a buy game in December, with the Wolverines overwhelming the Wildcats from the start for their fifth straight tournament win by double-digits.

UConn staff and players made sure to watch the game following their win over Illinois, and it was just as much of a shock to them.

“I kind of didn't see that happening,” Demary said. “Everybody was just hitting shots… They pretty much kind of dominated the game throughout the whole game.”

Whether it’s knocking down 3-pointers, turning the game into a dunk contest or leaving opposing offenses helpless, Michigan is “scary,” Hurley said, adding “you've got to have a plan A, a plan B and a plan C” against it.

Michigan is the first team to score at least 90 points in five straight March Madness games.

UConn has built a reputation on succeeding on the biggest stage, one win away from its third national title in four years. However, that run didn’t come with a whole bunch of struggle. 

The best seed the Huskies saw in the 2023 title run was a No. 3, and the 2024 championship team was so talented, not even the Zach Edey-led Purdue team stood much of a chance. UConn came close to beating eventual champion Florida in the second round last season, but it’s not farfetched to say the Wolverines are the best team Hurley will have ever faced in the tournament. 

Everything (including the 7.5-point spread) screams Michigan running away with this one to cement one of the most impressive seasons, especially with fresh UConn's injury issues. But if there is one team to spoil it all, it would be UConn.

After all, remember how they got here?

“We shot 1-for-18 vs. Duke, down 19. Nobody in the country, in the whole wide world, thought we were going to win that game,” said UConn center Tarris Reed Jr.. “The second half, we promised each other we're gonna go out with fighting honor, no matter what the result is. We knew there was going to be a slight chance that Duke will slip up, we're going to have a small window for us to really win this game, and we have to take advantage

“We kept fighting, kept running through the fences, and we ended up winning that game,” he added.

The Huskies may in fact be the perfect team to spoil Michigan’s title hopes. While Michigan is capable of delivering a knockout blow like Mike Tyson, UConn is able to make it an extremely ugly — perhaps boring — bout that can frustrate the other side.

That’s why even though they’re the clear underdog, Hurley actually sees advantages on his side.

“Every team has some vulnerabilities. No teams are perfect,” he said. “We're going to do things to make our opponents move defensively maybe more than they are accustomed to, and then hopefully that has a compounding effect for us during the course of the game where it could just wear an opponent down a little bit, just having to run around and chase people and off-ball movement more than they're accustomed to.”

The evidence supports it. Illinois came into the Final Four the top offensive efficiency team in the country, and the Huskies' defense made it uncomfortable to grind out the win. Even with UConn’s own middling offensive showing, the Fighting Illini shot 33.9% from the field and scored 62 points, its worst performance since — playing UConn in November, when it shot a season-low 31.7% and scored 61. 

That 90-point benchmark Michigan has reached, UConn has only allowed twice this season, and one of those games ended in overtime.

Plus, you have to account UConn has been here before. Hurley is undefeated in the Final Four and has guys who have won titles with him. In a tournament that has proven how valuable experience is, it doesn’t get better than championship expertise.

That’s why May isn’t counting on his team to coast to the title.

“We never ride momentum. It's ‘What do we need to do to prepare to play well against UConn?’ They have championship DNA. They're conditioned to win. This run they're on is one of the best — probably the best since John Wooden,” May said. “If we think any momentum or wave, riding in on a wave is going to take care of UConn, then we're going to be very disappointed at about 11 p.m. (Monday) night.”

Remember why we love March Madness? A whole season gets thrown out the window the moment the ball tips. Who is more talented doesn’t matter. It’s all about being the better team for 40 minutes, surviving and advancing. Hurley and May reminded everyone this isn’t a seven-game series where the best team typically wins.

It will be a de facto Game 7, and anything can happen in the final 40 minutes of the college basketball season — like UConn shocking the college basketball world.

After all, the "Monstars" did end up losing.

“There's been plenty of times in the history of this tournament where the best team hasn't won it,” Hurley said. “You've just got to be better for one night.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Michigan favored to win national championship, but UConn won't fold

As college basketball fans monitor the status of Michigan star Yaxel Lendeborg ahead of the national championship game Monday, another injury has cropped up that could have big implications on the matchup.

UConn guard Solo Ball suffered a foot sprain in the team's Final Four win over Illinois, head coach Dan Hurley said Sunday. The junior was in a boot and unable to practice, placing some real doubt on his availability for the title game.

UConn's third-leading scorer at 12.9 points per game, Ball would be a huge loss for a Huskies team currently considered a 6.5-point underdog to the Wolverines.

Significant update on UConn's Solo Ball. Dan Hurley says he has "some kind of foot sprain" and will not practice today. He's in a boot. Will be something to monitor for tomorrow night.

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) April 5, 2026

Is Solo Ball playing vs. Michigan in the national championship?

As of Sunday, there is no update on Ball's status. He said he feels "all right right now" and he's "doing everything I can to prepare for tomorrow."

One encouraging sign is that Ball was able to finish Saturday's game after suffering the injury, though he credited adrenaline for that.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Solo Ball injury: Will UConn guard play in title game vs. Michigan?

INDIANAPOLIS – Michigan star Yaxel Lendeborg is expected to "give it a go" in the national championship game after he was injured in the Final Four on Saturday, April 4.

Coach Dusty May provided an update to his player on Sunday, April 5, after Lendeborg suffered a sprained MCL of his left knee and an injured ankle, per CBS Sports' Tracy Wolfson. Lendeborg had an MRI earlier in the day and all imaging came back clean and he'll be receiving treatment.

"I'm sure he'll give it a go tomorrow, but that'd be entirely up to him and the medical staff," May said.

While concerning, Michigan was able to continue without its star as it dominated Arizona in the semifinal to punch its ticket to the national championship game. After the win, Lendeborg told reporters he is "playing Monday night regardless" against Connecticut, going for the Wolverines' second national championship, and first since 1989.

Michigan vs UConn prediction, spread: Who is favored to win national championship?

What happened to Yaxel Lendeborg?

Lendeborg got hurt with just under nine minutes left in the first half of the semifinal game, appearing to have twisted his ankle after stepping on the foot of Wildcats forward Motiejus Krivas while going to the basket for a layup.

He left the game and headed to the locker room, not returning for the remainder of the first half despite coming back to the bench. Lendeborg went through warm-ups out of halftime and despite walking gingerly, he started the second half and played roughly nine minutes, knocking down two 3-pointers in the second half.

The Wolverines had a commanding lead over Arizona, up by at least 20 points for nearly all of the second half. There was questions why May let a clearly injured Lendeborg play, and the Michigan coach said it had to with not wanting a late comeback from the No. 1 seeded Wildcats.

"You're playing Arizona, one of the best teams — statistically, the number one or two team all year in the country and you're up 20 with 10 minutes left, with eight and a half minutes left.  We didn't feel quite as confident as you guys did that we could just put the kids to bed.  And he came in and Elliot [Cadeau] was in foul trouble, and so he just held it down," May said after the game.

Michigan will play UConn on Monday, April 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:50 p.m. ET.

This story will be updated.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Yaxel Lendeborg injury: Michigan star updates status for championship game

From 68 teams, to just two.

The 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament is down to its final game: the national championship game between No. 1 seed Michigan and No. 2 seed UConn.

ARMOUR: Yaxel Lendeborg is best player in Final Four. Toughest, too.

Michigan, seeking its second national championship and first since 1989, is also looking to become the first Big Ten Conference men's basketball team to win the NCAA Tournament since rival Michigan State knocked off Florida in the 2000 national championship game.

Meanwhile, UConn is looking to become the first team to win three national championships in four seasons since UCLA won 10 in 12 seasons from 1964-75. No other team has won more than two in three seasons in the 50-plus seasons since John Wooden's Bruins dynasty ended.

What does artificial intelligence think about the 2026 national championship game? Here's how AI predicted the matchup between Michigan and UConn will go:

REQUIRED READING: Michigan vs UConn prediction, spread: Who is favored to win national championship?

AI predicts NCAA championship game between UConn, Michigan

Microsoft Copilot notes that Michigan ranks No. 1 across major efficiency models (KenPom, Torvik, EvanMiya) entering the national championship game and following a historic run of five straight NCAA Tournament games scoring 90-plus points (all featuring double-digit wins).

Copilot also pointed out that Michigan will want a game with a score in the 80s or low 90s, while UConn prefers a slower game with scores in the 60s or low 70s — which was the case for the Huskies' last four tournament games.

However, Yaxel Lendeborg's injury changes the equation of the game: "If Lendeborg is limited, UConn gains a rebounding and rim‑protection edge," Copilot says. "If he’s close to full strength, Michigan’s offense remains nearly unguardable."

Despite Copilot's note that Dan Hurley is 18-1 in his last 19 NCAA Tournament games — and a predicted score that veers more toward the Huskies' style of play than the Wolverines' — the AI predicted Michigan and its higher ceiling will ultimately beat out the experience of UConn.

• Score prediction: Michigan 78, UConn 72

"A heavyweight fight where Michigan’s offensive ceiling ultimately outweighs UConn’s championship pedigree — but not without a deep push from the Huskies," Copilot said.

"Michigan’s historically dominant offense meets UConn’s championship‑tested defense, but the Wolverines’ overwhelming firepower and efficiency give them a narrow but decisive edge. This prediction reflects Michigan’s unprecedented scoring run and UConn’s proven ability to drag elite opponents into lower‑scoring, grind‑heavy games."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: AI predicts UConn-Michigan winner in NCAA Tournament championship game

INDIANAPOLIS – Solo Ball is in a walking boot a day before UConn plays in the NCAA men's basketball championship game.

Ball has "some type of a foot sprain," UConn coach Dan Hurley said Sunday, April 5.

"Solo just sprained a foot early in the game," Hurley said. "So he was able to finish in the game. He won’t participate in anything today. We’ll see how he’s feeling tomorrow."

Michigan vs UConn prediction, spread: Who is favored to win national championship?

UConn is trying to win its third title in four years. But it will have to get through a dominant Michigan team, which has scored 90 or more points in all five of its NCAA tournament games and blew out Arizona, the only other No. 1 seed left, by 18 points in the Final Four.

Ball will be key to that. He's UConn's third-leading scorer, at 12.9 points a game, and had 13 in the Huskies' win over Illinois in the Final Four.

"Thankfully it's not a seven game series," Hurley joked. "Tough to get an MRI on Sunday."

Meanwhile, Michigan is also dealing with an injury to a key player as Yaxel Lendeborg was limited to 14 minutes in the Wolverines' Final Four win over Arizona on Saturday night after tweaking his ankle and knee in the first half.

This story will be updated.

When is national championship game?

• Date: Monday, April 6
• Times: 8:50 p.m. ET
• Location: Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis)

Stream men's Final Four with Sling TV

What TV channel is national championship on? How to stream Final Four

• TV channels: TBS/truTV
• Streaming options: NCAA March Madness Live | HBO Max | Sling TV

Every game remaining in the Men's NCAA Tournament will air on TBS and simulcast on truTV, with Ian Eagle, Bill Raftery and Grant Hill calling the game courtside and Tracy Wolfson reporting from the sidelines.

Streaming options include the March Madness Live app (with a TV login), HBO Max and Sling TV.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Solo Ball injury: UConn guard status unclear for national championship game