Michigan vs. UConn instant prediction for 2026 men’s national championship game

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 04: Elliot Cadeau #3 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts while playing against the Arizona Wildcats during the first half in the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images INDIANAPOLIS — The Michigan Wolverines have been the best team in men’s college basketball all season. The UConn Huskies have been the sport’s main character from the moment they hired Dan Hurley, and he has two national championship rings to prove it.

The 2026 national championship game is going to be a stunner, but only one team can cut down the nets on Monday night. Michigan has been throttling teams all year, but it saved its best performance of the season for its Final Four rout of Arizona. In a matchup of the top-2 teams on KenPom’s rankings, the Wolverines flexed their power even while superstar forward Yaxel Lendeborg was limited to only five minutes in the first half with foul trouble and injury.

Arizona only had two losses on its resume entering the night, and had not trailed by more than 12 points this season. Michigan was still up 18 going into halftime, and it was a blowout from there. UConn looked like it might make an early tournament exit after losing its regular season finale to a bad Marquette team, then getting crushed by 20 points by St.

John’s in the Big East tournament championship game. Dan Hurley turned it on once the NCAA tournament started, and Braylon Mullins’ miracle three to stun Duke in the Elite Eight saved the season . The Final Four win against Illinois was more proof he’s the best postseason coach in all of sports.