Final Four finally here, but will Michigan prevail? The picks
Three Free Press sports writers peer into their crystal balls and make their predictions for Michigan basketball and the Final Four in Indianapolis.
1-seed Michigan basketball takes on 1-seed Arizona on Saturday, April 4 (8:49 p. m. , TBS), in the 2026 NCAA Tournament national semifinal at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
The Wolverines opened as 1½-point favorites and have stayed there throughout the week. Here's how three Free Press sports writers see the game going down, as well as the rest of the weekend's matchups: SHAWN WINDSOR: Only blue Dusty May should worry about is worn by Michigan basketball Michigan vs Arizona prediction Tony Garcia: Michigan has felt all year that if it plays its "A" game, it can beat anyone in the country. Arizona will certainly put that to the test.
But this Michigan team, led by Lendeborg (coming off his best month of the season), remains on a mission. Onto the title game the Wolverines go. The pick: U-M 86, Arizona 83.
Carlos Monarrez: Another tournament game, another 90-point, double-digit win for Michigan, which is playing better in each round. Yaxel Lendeborg is taking over games at just the right time. U-M coach Dusty May and Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd should make a gentlemen’s bet before the game: Whoever wins gets the UNC job.