SAN DIEGO, CA – MARCH 22: The Road to the Final Four banner is shown behind a team bench before the second round game of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament between the St. John’s Red Storm the Kansas Jayhawks at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 22, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Mitchell Layton/Getty Images
Time flies when you’re having fun. And this year is no exception, as March Madness is rapidly drawing to a close. But it hasn’t come without its fair share of highlights.
One of the two games happening Saturday is something a lot of people projected to happen. Arizona has looked every bit of the team they were over the regular season. In the first weekend, they dominated LIU, which most expected. They also defeated Utah State in what turned out to be their closest result of the tournament. The second weekend saw domination over Arkansas and a test from Purdue. But Brayden Burries and company were up for the challenge, and punched their ticket to the Final Four.
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Michigan saw competition and perimeter shooting that seemed like it couldn’t end. But the Wolverines survived Howard, Saint Louis and Alabama, before proving its dominance over a Tennessee team that made its third straight Elite Eight. Big Ten Player of the Year Yaxel Lendeborg, Aday Mara, Morez Johnson Jr. and the team proved why they were the regular season Big Ten Champs, and punched their ticket to the Final Four.
The other game was something purely unexpected. Sure, UCONN had won two out of the last three championships, but that run was supposed to end, right? Not us, said Alex Karaban, coach Danny Hurley and company. Their path saw two Big Ten teams stand in their way, UCLA and Michigan State. But they stood strong, and withstood a 19-point deficit from Duke. That shot from Braylon Mullins’ is something most of us will remember for a long time, like Kris Jenkins at Villanova in 2016. On the other side, it also shows how hard it is to get this far. Duke lost three games by a total of five points. But they’re out, and UCONN remains.
Illinois is the most unlikely of the four, but don’t say that outside of the Land of Lincoln. They’re a 3 seed, but that’s also how the tournament has gone since the dawn of NIL. Cinderella may be a thing of the past, as now 3-seeds are considered “unlikely Final Four teams.” They got through Penn, VCU, a tough Houston team and Big Ten foe Iowa to punch their ticket. And while a lot of people outside Illinois can’t pronounce half of the team’s names, they’ve made their lasting mark in Champaign. Andrej Stojakovic, Zvonimir Ivisic, Mihailo Petrovic, Ben Humrichous and Tomislav Ivisic have been key for the Illini to make this run.
Ok, enough analysis, now to the games. I’ll be happily enjoying these games from Chicago, as I go on vacation for a few days:
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Final Four
UCONN vs. Illinois – UCONN 72, Illinois 65
The Huskies have beaten two Big Ten teams to get this far, who says they can’t beat a third? Not I, said the Tom. Illinois hasn’t been here since 2005. UCONN has players remaining from the national championship team. Experience and talent is what gets you through this stage of the tournament. I expect Illinois to put up a fight for 32 minutes. But in some eight-minute stretch, UCONN will make its run, and it will be big enough that the Illini can’t handle. The Huskies advance to their third National Championship game in four seasons.
Arizona vs. Michigan – Michigan 74, Arizona 72
When watching Michigan throughout the season, there was only one team I was afraid of facing. That team is the Wildcats. This has the capabilities of a “perfect storm” match-up where Arizona’s size and physicality matches that of Michigan. But Michigan has been battle-tested, seeing the best of all four teams they’ve faced in the tournament. They’ve also faced Duke in an “iron sharpens iron” February game. The Wolverines are ready for the challenge. However, the Wildcats have also faced UCONN, Florida, Alabama, and other tournament teams from the Big 12. This should be a classic, and a game I think will come down to the last possession. I’ll take the Wolverines, as they’re my only team remaining in my bracket.
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National Championship – Michigan 70, UCONN 60
There have been times this season Michigan has looked like world beaters. They looked like it against Tennessee. It’s something UCONN was accustomed to during their two straight championship runs. So this may end of a game of runs. I expect Michigan to make a run in the first half. I expect the same from UCONN in the second half. But in the end, I think the Wolverines are more destined for the prize, and while free throw shooting has been an issue, it should correct itself in the end, as the Wolverines win the national championship.
Who knows how the last weekend will go? But one thing’s for sure, I’ll be tuning in. And while the men’s championship loss will be tough for UCONN fans, they will still have something to celebrate. I think their women’s team wins the championship over Texas Sunday afternoon.
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Enjoy the weekend of basketball, and the spring weather coming – soon, hopefully.
Tom Greene is the sportswriter for the Huron Daily Tribune, and a connoisseur of sports. While his takes aren’t always accurate, he puts a lot of thought into it. Tell him who you think wins the championship by emailing tom.greene@hearstnp.com.Â