2026 NCAA Tournament

Recap: Michigan, UConn win in Final Four, advance to title game

Catch the best highlights and observations from the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Basketball Tournament.

Spencer

Updated on April 5, 2026 4:06 AM

UConn coach Dan Hurley and Braylon Mullins celebrate their victory in the Final Four.

What we know about Saturday’s Final Four games:

No. 2 UConn outlasted Illinois 71-62 in Game One
No. 1 Michigan routs No. 1 Arizona 91-73 in Game Two
Check out our recaps of every NCAA Tournament game here.

April 5, 2026 / 12:04 AM ET

All the marbles

The national title game is set. The No. 1 seed Michigan Wolverines will take on the No. 2 seed UConn Huskies, who are playing in their third national title game in four seasons.

Tune in Monday night at 8:50 PM ET on TBS.

April 4, 2026 / 11:57 PM ET

A full team performance

Michigan star Yaxel Lendeborg didn’t have his best night on Saturday, but the Wolverines got more than enough from his supporting cast in a 91-73 win over Arizona.

April 4, 2026 / 11:39 PM ET

A packed house

More than 70,000 people were in attendance at the Final Four on Saturday.

What a day at the #MFinalFour 👏#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/vXbseYIfbx

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 5, 2026

April 4, 2026 / 11:35 PM ET

Michigan wins in a rout

The collision of top-seeded teams in Michigan and Arizona resulted in a mismatch. The Wolverines opened up an early lead and were never really challenged in a 91-73 win. Michigan will now face UConn for the national title on Monday night.

Another chance at the #NationalChampionship for Michigan 🐺#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/1OdFYFCtaA

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 5, 2026

April 4, 2026 / 11:22 PM ET

Time ticking away

Michigan is firmly in control down the stretch against Arizona.

Aday Mara is having a NIGHT 😤#MarchMadness @umichbball pic.twitter.com/wACprxxAUO

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 5, 2026

April 4, 2026 / 11:06 PM ET

Running away

The Wolverines are crushing the Wildcats in the second half.

Aday Mara handles his own put backs 🤣#MarchMadness @umichbball pic.twitter.com/fwQ4MALl7y

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 5, 2026

April 4, 2026 / 10:51 PM ET

Michigan pours it on

The Wolverines are up big in the second half over fellow top seed Arizona.

YAXEL AGAIN 🤯#MarchMadness @umichbball pic.twitter.com/4olHgsJlq5

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 5, 2026

April 4, 2026 / 10:23 PM ET

Halfway home

Michigan leads Arizona 48-32 with a berth in the national title game on the line.

Halftime lead! pic.twitter.com/wpvHhPP2sl

— Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball) April 5, 2026

April 4, 2026 / 10:07 PM ET

Get up, Roddy Gayle Jr.

💪 pic.twitter.com/yqSQ4rVevD

— Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball) April 5, 2026

April 4, 2026 / 10:03 PM ET

Poster dunk

Michigan’s Roddy Gayle Jr. answers an Arizona run with a monster dunk.

RODDY GAYLE ELEVATED 🤯 pic.twitter.com/W8dpxZcvvE

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 5, 2026

April 4, 2026 / 9:57 PM ET

Wolverines in control, Wildcats fight back

Ivan Kharchenkov pulls Arizona within nine points, 28-19, in the first half.

Ivan Kharchenkov hits from long range 👀#MarchMadness @ArizonaMBB pic.twitter.com/rOgMgClCqH

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 5, 2026

April 4, 2026 / 9:37 PM ET

Big Blue up big early

TREY THROWS IT DOWN!!

We're up 16-5! pic.twitter.com/1oLMNiYjqC

— Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball) April 5, 2026

April 4, 2026 / 9:24 PM ET

Wildcats, Wolverines have tipped off

We are underway with game ✌️ and Michigan is on the board early 🔥#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/sQ5ZDv19Bh

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 5, 2026

April 4, 2026 / 9:10 PM ET

Clash of the titans

Top seeds Arizona and Michigan meet for a berth in the national title game.

Beat Arizona. pic.twitter.com/D3i11T4VVJ

— Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball) April 4, 2026

April 4, 2026 / 9:06 PM ET

Building a dynasty

"The culture, the expectation… just how resilient we've had to be throughout the year" 🎙️@TheAndyKatz gets a moment with Dan Hurley postgame to discuss UConn's march to ANOTHER #NationalChampionship game 🗣️#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/42geILxHh5

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 5, 2026

April 4, 2026 / 8:51 PM ET

Winning ugly

The Huskies shot just 22-for-62 from the floor against Illinois, but they nailed 12 3s and answered every Illini charge down the stretch to take a 71-62 Final Four victory.

April 4, 2026 / 8:25 PM ET

UConn is headed to the title game

The Huskies earned a 71-62 win over Illinois to advance to their third title game in the last four years.

HUSKIES WILL PLAY FOR THE TITLE 🔥 pic.twitter.com/pNwu1HOSxD

— UConn Men's Basketball (@UConnMBB) April 5, 2026

April 4, 2026 / 8:22 PM ET

Final seconds

Keaton Wagler hit a huge 3 to pull Illinois within four points in the final minute.

WAGLER HAS THE ANSWER ‼️#MarchMadness @IlliniMBB pic.twitter.com/LDrco6d3ua

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 5, 2026

April 4, 2026 / 8:06 PM ET

Close and late

Illinois refuses to go away.

IT'S A 4-POINT GAME 😳 #MarchMadness

Lock in for this finish: https://t.co/73IDsYprmk pic.twitter.com/jBK6kP0isO

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 5, 2026

April 4, 2026 / 7:59 PM ET

Fighting Illinois

Illinois goes on an 8-0 run and makes it a six-point game down the stretch.

Tomi extends it to an 8-0 run with two made free throws

2H 6:46 | Illinois 51, UConn 57 pic.twitter.com/G6lQpZvUxO

— Illinois Men's Basketball (@IlliniMBB) April 4, 2026

April 4, 2026 / 7:42 PM ET

Shooter’s roll

Every time Illinois gets closer, UConn nails a 3. Solo Ball does the honors here to push the Huskies ahead 52-40.

A VERY friendly bounce tacks on 3️⃣ for Solo Ball 😮‍💨#MarchMadness @UConnMBB pic.twitter.com/Dl4nbZlUgf

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 4, 2026

April 4, 2026 / 7:30 PM ET

Keeping their distance

David Mirkovic helps keep the Illini close at 44-36.

David Mirkovic dials one up 📞#MarchMadness @IlliniMBB pic.twitter.com/b46YqeKbsV

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 4, 2026

April 4, 2026 / 7:02 PM ET

20 minutes for forever

UConn leads Illinois 37-29 at the half with a berth in the championship game on the line. Braylon Mullins has 12 points on 4-for-8 shooting and has nailed three 3s.