Arizona Champ Miles Simon Predicts Wildcats Survive Michigan, Win It All

Former Wildcats star believes Arizona has what it takes to win the national championship.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 7:05am

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A dynamic, neon-colored painting depicting the intense physicality and competitive spirit of the Arizona Wildcats basketball team as they fight for the national championship.The Wildcats' quest for a national title is fueled by the explosive energy and physical dominance that has defined their season.Indianapolis Today

Miles Simon, the 1997 NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Player and former Arizona Wildcats star, is predicting his alma mater will defeat Michigan in the Final Four and then go on to win the national championship. Simon believes Arizona and Michigan have been the two best teams in the country this season and that their matchup on Saturday will be a 'monster' game between two No. 1 seeds.

Why it matters

As a former Wildcats champion, Simon's prediction carries weight and provides insight into how Arizona's veteran leadership and 'old school' coaching approach under Tommy Lloyd could lead them to the national title. His comments also highlight the anticipation around the highly anticipated Final Four showdown between the Wildcats and Wolverines.

The details

Simon praised Arizona's frontcourt and their ability to 'pound the ball inside,' while also highlighting the Wildcats' head coach Tommy Lloyd as one of the best in the game. He believes Lloyd, who recently signed a contract extension to remain in Tucson, could follow in the footsteps of program legend Lute Olson. Despite acknowledging the strength of other Final Four teams like Illinois and UConn, Simon is confident Arizona will defeat Michigan in a tight game and then take down UConn in the national championship.

  • The Final Four matchup between Arizona and Michigan will take place on Saturday, April 5, 2026.
  • The national championship game is scheduled for Monday, April 7, 2026.

The players

Miles Simon

The 1997 NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Player and former Arizona Wildcats star, who is predicting his alma mater will win the national championship.

Tommy Lloyd

The head coach of the Arizona Wildcats, who Simon believes has quickly become one of the best coaches in the game and could follow in the footsteps of program legend Lute Olson.

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What they’re saying

“Michigan and Arizona have arguably been the two best teams in the country this year. They got these front lines that are gigantic, and like, they pound the ball inside. I can't wait to watch the game on Saturday night.”

— Miles Simon, Former Arizona Wildcats star

“You should want Tommy Lloyd. He's quickly become one of the best in the game.”

— Miles Simon, Former Arizona Wildcats star

What’s next

The winner of the Arizona-Michigan matchup will advance to the national championship game on Monday, April 7, 2026, where they will face the winner of the Illinois-UConn semifinal game.

The takeaway

As a former Wildcats champion, Miles Simon's prediction that Arizona will defeat Michigan and then win the national championship carries significant weight. His praise for head coach Tommy Lloyd and the team's physical frontcourt suggests the Wildcats have the right formula to cut down the nets in Indianapolis.