The 2026 NCAA Tournament is inching toward a close as the Final Four takes center stage in Indianapolis. It’s been an entertaining tournament thus far, with upsets, buzzer beaters, memorable moments, drama, and so much more.
This year’s Final Four sees two Big Ten Conference teams, Michigan and Illinois. Arizona represents the Big 12 Conference, while UConn holds down the fort for the Big East Conference. Michigan and Illinois hope to end a 25-year drought of no National Champions coming from the Big Ten. The West Coast hasn’t won a title since 1997. Can Arizona change that? Meanwhile, UConn is looking for its third title in four years.
Check out my preview of this year’s Final Four, as the most important weekend of college basketball is upon us!
Arizona Wildcats
The top overall seed left is Arizona. The Wildcats have continued to do what they’ve done all regular season during the NCAA Tournament: win, and win convincingly. Of their four victories, they’ve won by an average margin of 20.5 and topped the 100-point mark in their Sweet Sixteen win over Arkansas. A huge reason for their success has been the freshman duo of Brayden Burries and Koa Peat. They’ve lived up to the hype all season, and March has been no different. Peat wants to grind the game out and play bully ball. He’s a strong playmaker and a double-double threat. Burries is a different type of player, versatile in all areas. In the Sweet Sixteen, he led the team with 23 points. In their Elite Eight matchup against Purdue, he helped them win with his defense, generating three steals at crucial times.
On any team, having those two only would more than likely land you a good amount of wins. But we haven’t even mentioned the Big 12 Player of the Year, Jaden Bradley. He’s had a bit of a mixed bag in the tournament, opening with just seven points against No. 16 seed LIU. He did provide support on the glass, with assists, and his defense. His offense has gotten going during the last three games, scoring double digits in each and continuing to get his teammates involved effectively.
Arizona has been virtually unstoppable in all 38 games it has played this season. They can beat you in so many different ways, and there’s a reason why they were the favorite among the general public when the bracket was revealed. Standing in their way are some big teams that will definitely challenge them. Arizona can answer that tho. They got a talented frontcourt with double-double threat Tobe Awaka. His explosiveness is uncanny at the rim. Ivan Kharchenkov and Motiejus Krivas must continue to manhandle and hold their ground on the interior, and if so, the Wildcats can cut down the nets for the first time since 1997.
Michigan Wolverines
Arizona isn’t the only No. 1 seed still standing. The Michigan Wolverines, the top team out of the Midwest Region, are headed to Indianapolis for their ninth Final Four appearance (including vacated years). Much like the Wildcats, Michigan has dominated its path through the NCAA Tournament, winning games by an average margin of 22.5 points. That stretch includes a 33-point blowout of No. 6 seed Tennessee in the Elite Eight, a performance that made it crystal clear just how dominant Michigan can be.
Over Michigan’s last three games, one player has consistently set the tone, that being UAB transfer Yaxel Lendeborg. He’s led the team in scoring in each of those contests and came close to a triple-double in their Sweet Sixteen win over Alabama. Lendeborg has proven to be a game-changer, impacting nearly every facet of play. Whether it’s scoring, rebounding, or facilitating, he can flip momentum in an instant and make it incredibly difficult for opponents to recover.
While Lendeborg’s production has been steady, questions entering March centered around Michigan’s guard depth, especially after L.J. Cason’s February injury. His absence initially exposed some vulnerabilities, but Roddy Gayle Jr. has stepped up in a big way. Providing stability and physicality, Gayle has become a reliable presence who can attack the rim and keep the offense flowing.
Beyond those contributors, Michigan boasts a well-rounded roster. Elliot Cadeau orchestrates the offense with precision, while Nimari Burnett brings veteran leadership and relentless defensive pressure. In the frontcourt, Morez Johnson adds length and scoring, and Aday Mara continues to flash the potential that made him such a highly regarded prospect. Altogether, Michigan’s size, versatility, and defensive intensity make it incredibly tough to break down. They clog the paint, limit easy looks, and force teams into uncomfortable situations. Simply put, beating Michigan requires near-perfect execution. They’ve built a team that feels like a brick wall, and breaking through it won’t come easily.
UConn Huskies
Miracles do happen…even for blue blood programs that already feel right at home on college basketball’s biggest stage. UConn added another unforgettable chapter with Braylon Mullins stunning near buzzer-beater, completing a 19-point comeback against No. 1 overall seed Duke and sending the Huskies to their third Final Four in four years. The players deserve immense credit for their resilience, but once again, head coach Dan Hurley’s impact cannot be overstated. He has built a culture of belief, and as broadcaster Ian Eagle put it so eloquently, UConn still carries that March magic.
Beyond the iconic shot, UConn’s tournament run has been powered by Tarris Reed Jr. He’s averaging nearly 22 points per game through four contests, a significant jump from his regular-season production. His dominance in the paint has been undeniable, highlighted by a staggering 31-point, 27-rebound performance against No. 15 seed Furman in the opening round. Reed has become a monster in the paint and is a presence opponents should do everything in their power to figure out how to stop. If the Huskies want to make another title run, they’ll need more from Solo Ball. The talented guard has struggled to find his rhythm during the tournament. If he heats up, UConn’s ceiling rises dramatically, making them even more dangerous and unlocking that unlimited potential we’ve seen glimpses of throughout the season.
What truly separates this team, though, is Alex Karaban. A four-year veteran who has played his entire career at UConn, he has etched his name into program and NCAA history as the winningest player the school has ever seen and the all-time leader in March Madness wins as a starter. Karaban is the glue that holds everything together. This program is built for moments like this. It’s a winning culture with elite leadership, and players ready to go to war to win. UConn once again finds itself on the brink of history.
Illinois Fighting Illini
The lowest seed left remaining, the No. 3 seed Illinois, won the South Region, prevailing over conference rival and No. 9 seed Iowa. There are a lot of words to describe this Illinois team. The most obvious one, though, would be length. This is the tallest team in college basketball, and they use that to their full advantage. Seven-foot twin brothers, Tomislav and Zvonimir Ivisic, are having themselves a tournament. They’re entertaining to watch both on and off the court, and jolt the Illini with energy that is hard for other teams to replicate. Zvonimir may not stuff the stat sheet, but his mere presence is impactful as is. David Mirkovic, another frontcourt piece, is a boss inside too, with two double-doubles this tournament (nearly three), and 29 points in their win over Penn. The Illini have international flair and experience on their side.
It’s been a long 20 years for Illinois. Their last Final Four was in 2005, when they lost the national title game to North Carolina, 75–70. Much of this season’s success comes from star freshman Keaton Wagler. The 4-star recruit has exceeded expectations and become an NBA lottery pick.
Many power conference schools likely regret passing on him; he’s sensational. Wagler is efficient, an elite scorer, and a natural playmaker. The 6’6″ guard also rebounds well, grabbing 12 in their Sweet Sixteen win over Houston. He can break out even more in the Final Four, with the ability to get hot anytime, like his 46-point game against Purdue.
He’s joined in the backcourt by Kylan Boswell, the senior Champaign native who plays like a Swish Army knife. Andrej Stojakovic, who takes after his father, Peja Stojakovic, attacks the basket and plays smart. He’s more than a complementary piece. He’s key to keeping the Illinois offense flowing and enters the Final Four with strong momentum.
Illinois may be looked at as the underdog, but trust me, they are far from that. This is a team that has impressed all season long. It’s an exceptionally strong No. 3 seed, and their Final Four berth shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. They are focused and ready to bring Champaign its first-ever National Championship.
Predictions
In the first National Semifinal, UConn and Illinois will kick things off. This is tough. There’s a lot of momentum right now on UConn’s side as the popular pick in this contest. There’s no shock if the Huskies win (or win the whole tournament, for that matter). Dan Hurley and UConn have won two of the last three National Championships. It’s hard to bet against them. But, since I’m not the greatest at betting, let’s spice it up and throw a bit of a curveball in the Final Four. UConn gave it their all in their win over Duke, coming back and pulling off a miracle. Illinois hasn’t flinched. I think they start strong and don’t give UConn an easy road in retaking the lead. Earlier in the season, UConn beat Illinois. The Fighting Illini get their revenge and Illinois marches on to the National Championship game.
Prediction: Illinois 71, UConn 67
The second National Semifinal game feels like the main event of the weekend, in all honesty. Arizona and Michigan have a combined record of 71-5, matching the highest combined record between two teams since 2008, when Kansas and North Carolina went head-to-head in the Final Four. Safe to say, this is a must-watch TV show and truly a difficult game to predict. Both squads are so good, neither really has flaws, so it’s virtually a toss-up. At the end of the day, I’m going with who I think is the most all-around team. I might have originally gone with Michigan winning it all in my bracket, and even though they trailed Purdue at halftime, I like that Arizona got tested, and I believe this is finally the year the Wildcats get back to the promised land.
Prediction: Arizona 82, Michigan 77
So, the National Championship game of 2026. Arizona. Illinois. Who cuts down the nets in Indy? I teased it, and I’m sticking with my gut. Illinois has had a terrific run. Brad Underwood is a hell of a coach. But, this feels meant to be. Tommy Lloyd just signed a massive and important contract extension. His future is solidified. And he celebrates all of that by bringing a title back to Tucson for the first time since 1997. The drought ends on Monday night.
Prediction: Arizona 75, Illinois 69
