March Madness final is set as Michigan routs Arizona to bring on UConn showdown
The stage is set for the 2026 NCAA championship after Michigan’s dominant 91-73 victory over Arizona on Saturday. The Wolverines took control of the game early on, establishing a 26-14 lead in the first quarter before star forward Yaxel Lendeborg suffered an injury scare.
Despite Lendeborg’s absence, the Wildcats managed to narrow the gap to seven points before Michigan’s defense stepped up to close out the first half with a commanding 48-32 lead.
In a pivotal moment, Lendeborg returned to the court in the second half after being diagnosed with a sprained MCL and ankle injury. His comeback was met with a thunderous applause from the crowd as he nailed two crucial 3-point shots, finishing the game with 11 points and three rebounds while shooting a perfect 3-of-3 from beyond the arc.
Leading the charge for the Wolverines was big man Aday Mara, who put up an impressive 26 points and grabbed 9 rebounds on an efficient 11-of-16 shooting from the field.
This victory marks Michigan’s first trip to the March Madness final since 2018 and their first under head coach Dusty May, who took over the team before the 2024 season. The Wolverines last won the NCAA Tournament in 1989, led by three-time NBA All-Star Glen Rice.
In the final showdown, Michigan will face off against UConn, who are seeking their third NCAA title in four seasons following their 71-62 triumph over Illinois in the semifinals. It promises to be an exciting clash between two powerhouse programs vying for college basketball supremacy.
