Michigan and Michigan State Fans Gear Up for Final Four Clash

Longtime Wolverines fan returns to Final Four 62 years after first appearance

Apr. 4, 2026 at 11:35pm

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As the University of Michigan Wolverines and Michigan State Spartans prepare to face off in the NCAA Final Four, longtime Wolverines fan Tom Ludwig, 82, is back at the national semifinals wearing the same watch he got the first time Michigan played in the Final Four in 1964.

Why it matters

The Michigan-Michigan State rivalry is one of the most intense in college sports, and this matchup in the Final Four will add another chapter to the storied history between the two programs. The game will draw national attention and showcase the passion of fans from both schools.

The details

Ludwig, who played on the 1964 Michigan team that made the Final Four, is returning to the big stage over six decades later to support his beloved Wolverines. The 82-year-old will be wearing the same watch he received when Michigan last reached this point in the NCAA Tournament.

  • The 2026 NCAA Final Four is taking place in Indianapolis.
  • Michigan and Michigan State will face off on April 5, 2026.

The players

Tom Ludwig

An 82-year-old lifelong University of Michigan fan who played on the Wolverines' 1964 Final Four team.

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What they’re saying

“Dusty is doing a great job,”

— Tom Ludwig, Michigan Fan

What’s next

The winner of the Michigan-Michigan State matchup will advance to the national championship game on April 7, 2026.

The takeaway

This Final Four clash between the in-state rivals Michigan and Michigan State will showcase the enduring passion and loyalty of fans from both schools, with longtime Wolverines supporter Tom Ludwig serving as a living link to the program's storied past.