Big men, bigger lineups power Final Four teams

Illinois, UConn, Arizona, and Michigan rely on size and length to reach college basketball's biggest stage

Apr. 2, 2026 at 11:05pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the intense physicality and overlapping movements of tall, powerful college basketball players battling for position in the paint.The Final Four's towering lineups showcase the growing emphasis on size and length in college basketball's elite.Indianapolis Today

The 2026 NCAA Final Four features the biggest collection of tall, physical teams in recent memory, with Illinois, UConn, Arizona, and Michigan all boasting rosters filled with 6-foot-6 or taller players who dominate the interior and control the glass. From UConn's Tarris Reed Jr. to Arizona's Koa Peat, these teams are using their size and length to overwhelm opponents on both ends of the floor.

Why it matters

The prevalence of big, physical lineups in this year's Final Four represents a shift in college basketball strategy, as teams are prioritizing size, strength, and wingspan to gain an advantage. This style of play creates matchup problems for opposing teams and allows the Final Four squads to control the paint, rebound effectively, and protect the rim.

The details

Illinois, the tallest team in Division I, features 7-footers Tomislav and Zvonimir Ivisic, along with 6-foot-9 forward David Mirkovic. UConn is led by 6-foot-11 center Tarris Reed Jr., who is averaging a double-double in the tournament. Michigan utilizes the 7-foot-3, 255-pound Aday Mara, flanked by 6-foot-9 forwards Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr. Arizona counters with 7-foot-2 center Motiejus Krivas and 6-foot-8, 235-pound freshman Koa Peat.

  • The 2026 NCAA Final Four takes place this weekend in Indianapolis.
  • Illinois, UConn, Arizona, and Michigan all reached the Final Four by winning their respective regional tournaments.

The players

Tarris Reed Jr.

A 6-foot-11, 265-pound senior center for UConn who is averaging 21.8 points and 13.5 rebounds per game in the NCAA Tournament.

Braylon Mullins

A freshman guard for UConn who hit a game-winning shot to send the Huskies to the Final Four.

Aday Mara

A 7-foot-3, 255-pound center for Michigan who anchors the Wolverines' imposing frontcourt.

Koa Peat

A 6-foot-8, 235-pound freshman forward for Arizona who is considered a strong NBA prospect.

Tomislav Ivisic

A 7-foot-1 forward for Illinois, part of the Illini's towering frontcourt.

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What they’re saying

“Guards are the ones that hit the big shots. We just do our job, we do the dirty work — and we're used to doing it our whole life so we have fun doing it.”

— Tarris Reed Jr., UConn center

“If you don't have the big to defend other bigs, you can't compete at this level in my opinion.”

— Luke Hancock, ACC Network analyst

“Our size definitely makes it tougher for smaller guards. Because we're so versatile … we can switch and guard point guards, make their life a little harder. And you know, we're all strong bodies too. So we try to wear down teams.”

— Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan forward

What’s next

The Final Four matchups will take place on Saturday, April 5, 2026, with the championship game scheduled for Monday, April 7, 2026.

The takeaway

This year's Final Four showcases the growing importance of size and length in college basketball, as the top teams have built rosters filled with tall, physical players who can dominate the interior and control the game on both ends of the floor. The success of these big lineups could signal a shift in how teams approach roster construction and playing style in the years to come.