The Michigan Wolverines win National Championship for the first time since 1989

Michigan guard Trey McKenney (1) reacts to a play during the second half of the NCAA national championship game against Connecticut at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Monday, April 6, 2026. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images The Michigan Wolverines are national champions for the first time since 1989! The Wolverines defeated the UConn Huskies, 69-63, in the National Championship of the NCAA Tournament in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Elliot Cadeau was phenominal in the ultimate win, scoring 19 points to help Michigan finish its historic season. Here’s how it all went down. FIRST HALF The National Championship started at a slow pace, with both teams using the entire shot clock to find the perfect look as tension and anxiety pierced through the atmosphere.

Morez Johnson Jr. broke the scoring open with a basket down low, Tarris Reed Jr. followed with one of his own, and Elliot Cadeau cut through the defense to get on the board as well.

Defense was on full display early, as Reed and Mara battled inside the arc and neither team could connect from three. Trailing 11-10, UConn put together a small run. Malachi Smith got inside for two, Alex Karaban drained his first three-pointer, and Smith made a nice move on Cadeau to help the Huskies take their biggest lead of the game at 18-15.