Michigan Wolverines Advance to Third Final Four in 13 Years

The high-powered Wolverines look to capture their second national title.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 1:34am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting the dynamic action of a college basketball game, with sharp, overlapping planes of blue, maize, and red representing the Michigan Wolverines.Michigan's high-powered offense and stifling defense have propelled the Wolverines to their third Final Four appearance in 13 years.Indianapolis Today

The Michigan Wolverines have punched their ticket to the Final Four for the third time since 2013, following a dominant 95-62 victory over Tennessee in the Elite 8. Led by star senior Yaxel Lendeborg's 27 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists, Michigan has now won three of its four March Madness games by 20 or more points.

Why it matters

Michigan's return to the Final Four continues the program's recent run of success, having won national titles in 1989 and reached the semifinals in 2013 and 2018. As a No. 1 seed, the Wolverines are aiming to capture their second championship and cement their status as one of the top college basketball powerhouses of the last decade.

The details

Lendeborg has been the driving force behind Michigan's tournament run, averaging 21 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game. The Wolverines' high-powered offense has been on full display, averaging 87.5 points per game - the highest scoring Michigan team to reach the Final Four in their last five trips to the semifinals.

  • Michigan defeated Tennessee 95-62 in the Elite 8 on March 26, 2026.
  • The Wolverines will face fellow No. 1 seed Arizona in the Final Four on April 4, 2026 in Indianapolis.

The players

Yaxel Lendeborg

A star senior for the Michigan Wolverines, Lendeborg has led the team's tournament run with averages of 21 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game.

Michigan Wolverines

A college basketball powerhouse that has reached the Final Four three times in the last 13 years, winning the national title in 1989 and making semifinal appearances in 2013 and 2018.

Arizona

The Wolverines' opponent in the Final Four, Arizona is also a No. 1 seed looking to capture its first national championship since 1997.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This team has been on a mission all season long, and we're not done yet. We're excited to be back in the Final Four and ready to compete for a national title.”

— Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan Senior

What’s next

The winner of the Michigan-Arizona matchup in the Final Four will advance to the national championship game on April 6, 2026.

The takeaway

Michigan's return to the Final Four cements the program's status as one of the top college basketball teams of the last decade, with the Wolverines now aiming to capture their second national title and cement their legacy as an elite program.