Big men, bigger lineups: How length, size got Illinois, UConn, Arizona, Michigan to the Final Four

The Final Four features some of the biggest rosters in recent memory, with teams relying on dominant interior play to reach college basketball's biggest stage.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 3:38pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting the intense battle for position in the paint between towering college basketball players, their bodies and movements fractured and abstracted into sharp, overlapping planes of color.The Final Four features some of the most physically imposing rosters in recent memory, with teams relying on dominant interior play to reach college basketball's biggest stage.Indianapolis Today

The 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four features some of the tallest and most physically imposing rosters in recent memory, with teams like Illinois, UConn, Arizona, and Michigan relying on their size and length to overwhelm opponents. From 7-footers anchoring the paint to versatile 6-9 forwards who can stretch the floor, these teams are showcasing the premium placed on building rosters with elite size and length to control the game on both ends of the court.

Why it matters

The prevalence of super-sized lineups in this year's Final Four reflects a broader trend in college basketball, where teams are prioritizing length, height, and bulk to gain an advantage. This style of play can lead to more physical, defensive-minded games that limit scoring, but also creates matchup nightmares for opposing teams trying to counter the sheer size of these rosters.

The details

Illinois leads the way with an average roster height of nearly 6-foot-7, including 7-foot-1 Tomislav Ivisic and 7-foot-2 Zvonimir Ivisic patrolling the paint. UConn features 6-foot-11, 265-pound senior Tarris Reed Jr., who has been dominant in the tournament. Arizona boasts 7-foot-2 center Motiejus Krivas and 6-foot-8, 235-pound freshman Koa Peat, while Michigan leans on the 7-foot-3, 255-pound Aday Mara and a pair of 6-foot-9 forwards.

  • The 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four takes place on April 5-7 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The players

Tarris Reed Jr.

A 6-foot-11, 265-pound senior center for UConn who has been a dominant force in the paint during the NCAA Tournament, averaging 21.8 points and 13.5 rebounds per game.

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 who, along with his 7-foot-2 twin brother Zvonimir, gives the Illini one of the biggest frontcourts in the country.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

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 want to win championships, you need a big 4 and a monster 5.”

— Luke Hancock, ACC Network analyst

“He's a monster. He's been so dominant. He's really playing like the most dominant player in college basketball right now.”

— Alex Karaban, UConn senior

“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 April 5, with the national championship game scheduled for April 7 in Indianapolis.

The takeaway

The prevalence of super-sized lineups in this year's Final Four reflects a broader trend in college basketball where teams are prioritizing length, height, and bulk to gain an advantage. This style of play can lead to more physical, defensive-minded games that limit scoring, but also creates matchup nightmares for opposing teams trying to counter the sheer size of these rosters.