One step off the plane and it is clear \u2014 a college basketball champion will soon be crowned. Brackets are quite literally towering over. Just take a look at the JW Marriott Hotel.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Indy is #MarchMadness<\/a> ready \ud83e\udd29#MFinalFour<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/pIDCdGYFWh<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NCAA Men’s Final Four (@MFinalFour) March 19, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n What started with 68 now ends with just four: Arizona, UConn, Illinois and Michigan.<\/p>\n Arizona returns for the first time in 25 years, while Illinois is back for the first time in 21. Michigan is seeking its first national championship since 1989, plus UConn returns for the third time in four years after losing to Florida in the second round in 2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n Open practice tips off today, giving fans an close-up look at the Final Four before the games begin.\u00a0<\/p>\n Then, it’s semifinal Saturday. First up is UConn vs. Illinois at 6:09 p.m. ET on TBS<\/a>. Can Connecticut\u00a0continue its dynasty? Can Dan Hurley lead the Huskies to a third national title in four years? Illinois looks like a team that peaked at exactly the right time and earned its place on college basketball\u2019s biggest stage. Now the question is whether the Illini can keep that momentum going.<\/p>\n