May leads Wolverines into first Final Four since 2018

Michigan coach Dusty May has the Wolverines back in the national semifinals for the first time in eight years.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 12:48am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the action of a basketball game, with players and the court broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color, capturing the intensity and energy of the Final Four matchup.Michigan's high-powered offense and stifling defense collide with Arizona's depth and athleticism in a compelling national semifinal matchup at the Final Four.Indianapolis Today

Michigan is heading to the Final Four for the first time since 2018 after routing Tennessee 95-62 on Sunday. Led by versatile star Yaxel Lendeborg, the Wolverines became the first school to win at least four games in an NCAA tournament by double digits while scoring at least 90 points in each. Coach Dusty May, who took Florida Atlantic to the Final Four in 2023, has engineered a quick turnaround at Michigan, which went 27-10 in his first season after the team's worst record since 1960-61.

Why it matters

Michigan's return to the Final Four marks a resurgence for the storied program, which has a rich history of success including a national championship in 1989 and the cultural impact of the Fab Five in the early 1990s. Coach Dusty May has quickly rebuilt the Wolverines into a national powerhouse, utilizing the transfer portal to assemble a deep, talented roster.

The details

Led by Yaxel Lendeborg, the Big Ten player of the year and Most Outstanding Player in the Midwest Region, Michigan routed Tennessee 95-62 to reach the Final Four. The Wolverines became the first team to win at least four NCAA tournament games by double digits while scoring 90+ points in each. Michigan's turnaround under May has been fueled by key transfers like Lendeborg (UAB), Elliot Cadeau (North Carolina), Morez Johnson Jr. (Illinois) and Aday Mara (UCLA). Cadeau, with 1,005 career points, has provided steady play at point guard, while the 7-foot-3 Mara has set a school record with 100 blocks this season.

  • Michigan last reached the Final Four in 2018.
  • May took over as Michigan's head coach in March 2024 after the team's 8-24 season, the school's worst record since 1960-61.
  • May led Florida Atlantic to the Final Four in 2023 before being hired by Michigan.

The players

Dusty May

The 48-year-old head coach of the Michigan Wolverines, who previously took Florida Atlantic to the Final Four in 2023 before being hired by Michigan in March 2024.

Yaxel Lendeborg

The versatile star player for Michigan, who was named the Big Ten player of the year and the Most Outstanding Player in the Midwest Region of the NCAA Tournament.

Elliot Cadeau

The steady point guard for Michigan, who has 1,005 career points and has become even more important since teammate L.J. Cason was sidelined by a season-ending knee injury.

Aday Mara

The 7-foot-3 center for Michigan, who has set a school record with 100 blocks this season.

Morez Johnson Jr.

The forward for Michigan, who is averaging 13.2 points per game.

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What they’re saying

“Very, very grateful that all those people have poured in to allow us to represent Michigan, to have all the resources necessary to get here. And I think we're all carrying the flag for all those old guys.”

— Dusty May, Michigan Head Coach

“He just sets the pace and the tone of the game. … He sees things that we don't even see ourselves. So, super unselfish guy. So the success that he has, he deserves it and more.”

— Nimari Burnett, Michigan Guard

What’s next

Michigan will face Arizona in the national semifinal on Saturday in Indianapolis.

The takeaway

Michigan's return to the Final Four under coach Dusty May showcases the program's ability to quickly rebuild and reestablish itself as a national powerhouse, tapping into the transfer portal to assemble a deep, talented roster capable of making a championship run.