Big men, bigger lineups power Final Four teams

Illinois, UConn, Arizona, Michigan rely on size and length to dominate inside and out

Apr. 3, 2026 at 5:56pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting the action of a college basketball game, with players' bodies and the ball fragmented into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette, conveying the size, length, and athleticism of the Final Four teams.The towering big men and versatile lineups of this year's Final Four teams are redefining the game's strategic landscape.Indianapolis Today

The 2026 NCAA Final Four features some of the biggest rosters in recent memory, with teams like Illinois, UConn, Arizona, and Michigan relying on towering centers, versatile forwards, and lengthy perimeter players to overwhelm opponents. Anchored by dominant big men like Tarris Reed Jr. of UConn, Aday Mara of Michigan, and the Ivisic twins of Illinois, these teams are using their size advantage to control the paint, rebound ferociously, and stretch defenses with their shooting range.

Why it matters

The emphasis on size and length in this year's Final Four represents a shift in college basketball strategy, as teams prioritize building rosters with multiple players over 6'6" who can impact the game in the post and on the perimeter. This trend could signal a new era of big-man dominance in the sport, challenging the traditional notion that guards win championships.

The details

Illinois has the tallest roster in Division I, with an average height of nearly 6'7". The Illini feature 7'1" Tomislav Ivisic and 7'2" Zvonimir Ivisic, along with 6'9" forwards David Mirkovic and Ben Humrichous. UConn is led by 6'11", 265-pound senior Tarris Reed Jr., whose tournament averages of 21.8 points and 13.5 rebounds are the best of any player still standing. Michigan counters with the 7'3", 255-pound Aday Mara, flanked by 6'9" forwards Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr. Arizona also boasts size with 7'2" center Motiejus Krivas and 6'8", 235-pound freshman Koa Peat.

  • The 2026 NCAA Final Four takes place in Indianapolis, Indiana.
  • The tournament semifinals are scheduled for Saturday, April 5, 2026.

The players

Tarris Reed Jr.

A 6'11", 265-pound senior center for UConn whose scoring (21.8) and rebounding (13.5) averages in the tournament are the best of any player still standing.

Aday Mara

Michigan's 7'3", 255-pound center who anchors a frontcourt that also features 6'9" forwards Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr.

Koa Peat

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

Tomislav Ivisic

Illinois' 7'1" center who, along with his 7'2" twin brother Zvonimir, gives the Illini one of the tallest rosters in Division I.

Zvonimir Ivisic

The 7'2" twin brother of Tomislav Ivisic, who together anchor Illinois' imposing 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

“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 semifinals are scheduled for Saturday, April 5, 2026. The championship game will take place on Monday, April 7, 2026.

The takeaway

This year's Final Four showcases the growing importance of size and length in college basketball, as teams have built rosters with multiple players over 6'6" who can impact the game at both ends of the floor. The dominance of big men like Tarris Reed Jr., Aday Mara, and the Ivisic twins could signal a shift in the sport's strategic landscape, challenging the traditional notion that guards win championships.