Michigan and Arizona Set for Epic Final Four Clash

Top-seeded teams with a combined 71-5 record face off for a spot in the national championship game

Apr. 2, 2026 at 10:11pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the action and energy of a college basketball game, with the players and court rendered in sharp, overlapping planes of color and form.The highly anticipated Final Four clash between Michigan and Arizona promises to be a masterpiece of college basketball, with the top-seeded teams' contrasting styles and star players colliding on the court.Ann Arbor Today

The NCAA Tournament's Final Four will feature a highly anticipated matchup between the top-seeded Michigan Wolverines and Arizona Wildcats. Both teams have been dominant throughout the season, with Michigan averaging 87.7 points per game and Arizona allowing just 68.8 points per game. The game is expected to be closely contested, with the Wolverines being slight favorites. The teams feature a wealth of talent, including several All-America players, and will showcase a variety of intriguing individual and team-level matchups.

Why it matters

This Final Four showdown between the nation's top two teams in the KenPom rankings is a rare occurrence, with only the second such matchup since 2015. The game promises to be a March Madness masterpiece, with the winner advancing to the national championship game on Monday night.

The details

Michigan and Arizona have both been dominant throughout the season, with the Wolverines averaging 87.7 points per game and the Wildcats allowing just 68.8 points per game. Michigan is led by Associated Press All-America player Yaxel Lendeborg, who has scored 20-plus points in three straight games. Arizona's balanced offense features honorable mention AP All-America players Brayden Burries and Jaden Bradley, who combine to average nearly 30 points per game. The Wildcats' size and interior presence, anchored by 7-foot-2 center Motiejus Krivas, will be tested by Michigan's length and shot-blocking ability, led by 7-foot-3 center Aday Mara.

  • Michigan opened the season by scoring 69 points in the first half of a 121-78 win over Oakland.
  • The Wolverines are the first team to score 90-plus points in four double-digit wins in the NCAA Tournament, scoring 381 points entering the Final Four.
  • Arizona has made more free throws than opposing teams have attempted in the tournament, a testament to their disciplined defense.

The players

Yaxel Lendeborg

An Associated Press All-America player who has scored 20-plus points in three straight games for Michigan, including a 27-point performance against Tennessee in the regional final.

Brayden Burries

An honorable mention AP All-America player who, along with Jaden Bradley, combines to average nearly 30 points per game for Arizona.

Jaden Bradley

An honorable mention AP All-America player who, along with Brayden Burries, combines to average nearly 30 points per game for Arizona.

Motiejus Krivas

Arizona's 7-foot-2 center who anchors the team's defense and will likely square off against Michigan's 7-foot-3 center Aday Mara.

Aday Mara

Michigan's 7-foot-3 center who has blocked 100 shots this season, setting a single-season record for the Wolverines.

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What they’re saying

“A March Madness masterpiece might be on tap. Get your popcorn, kick up your feet and get ready for what shapes up to be an epic showdown in the Final Four nightcap on Saturday night.”

— Larry Lage, AP Sports Writer

“The Wildcats seem to play better when there's more at stake or in the face of adversity. Arizona opened the season with a six-point win over reigning national champion Florida and took down a gauntlet of ranked opponents the rest of the season.”

— Larry Lage, AP Sports Writer

What’s next

The winner of the Michigan-Arizona matchup will advance to the national championship game on Monday night, where they will face the winner of the earlier semifinal between Connecticut and Illinois.

The takeaway

This Final Four clash between the top-seeded Michigan Wolverines and Arizona Wildcats promises to be a thrilling and high-stakes affair, with the two teams combining for a 71-5 record this season. The game features a wealth of individual talent and intriguing team-level matchups, making it a must-watch event for college basketball fans.