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The Michigan Wolverines men’s basketball team will return to the national championship for the first time since 2018 after beating the Arizona Wildcats, 91-73, in the Final Four.
Michigan jumped out to a 16-point lead midway through the first half and never looked back from there. The high percentage shooting from Aday Mara and Elliott Cadeau’s ability to knock down the long shot was more than enough for the Wolverines to win.
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Michigan guard Nimari Burnett celebrates a basket against Arizona in the first half of an NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal at the Final Four in Indianapolis, April 4, 2026. (Abbie Parr/AP)
Wolverines star Yaxel Lendeborg was saddled with two fouls early in the first half and then suffered a tough-looking ankle injury in the period to keep him on the bench. He started the second half and hit two 3-pointers before calling it a night.
He looked like he was struggling with the pain. He managed to score 11 points, including three 3-pointers in 14 minutes of play. While struggling, Trey McKenney stepped up big time.
McKenney was hot from long range. He finished with 16 points on 4-of-6 from 3-point range.
Mara led Michigan with 26 points and nine rebounds. Cadeau had 13 points and 10 assists.
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Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg reacts after an injury during the first half of an NCAA Tournament semifinal game against Arizona at the Final Four in Indianapolis, April 4, 2026. (Abbie Parr/AP)
Arizona was unable to find its rhythm all night and the continued misses sucked the air out of the building. The Wildcats shot just 37% from the floor.
Wildcats freshman Koa Peat scored 16 points to lead the team. He also had six rebounds.
Brayden Burries and Jaden Bradley each had 13 points. Motiejus Krivas had 11 points.
Michigan lost in the 2018 national championship to Jay Wright’s Villanova squad. Their appearance in the Final Four on Saturday night was their third since 1993. The team last won a national championship in 1989 when Glen Rice and the Wolverines knocked off Seton Hall in overtime.
The Wolverines will take on the UConn Huskies in the national championship game on Monday night. The Huskies defeated the Illinois Fighting Illini to receive the opportunity at the title.
Arizona’s Jaden Bradley reacts during the first half of an NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal against Michigan at the Final Four in Indianapolis on April 4, 2026. (Michael Conroy/AP)
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If UConn wins, it will be the Huskies’ third title in four years.
