2026 NCAA Tournament Recap: Michigan, UConn Win in Final Four, Advance to Title Game
Catch the best highlights and observations from the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Basketball Tournament.
Spencer | Updated on April 5, 2026 4:06 AM
UConn coach Dan Hurley and Braylon Mullins celebrate their victory in the Final Four.
What we know about Saturday’s Final Four games:
- No. 2 UConn outlasted Illinois 71-62 in Game One
- No. 1 Michigan routs No. 1 Arizona 91-73 in Game Two
Check out our recaps of every NCAA Tournament game here.
April 5, 2026 / 12:04 AM ET
All the Marbles
The national title game is set. The No. 1 seed Michigan Wolverines will take on the No. 2 seed UConn Huskies, who are playing in their third national title game in four seasons.
Tune in Monday night at 8:50 PM ET on TBS.
April 4, 2026 / 11:57 PM ET
A Full Team Performance
Michigan star Yaxel Lendeborg didn’t have his best night on Saturday, but the Wolverines got more than enough from his supporting cast in a 91-73 win over Arizona.
April 4, 2026 / 11:39 PM ET
A Packed House
More than 70,000 people were in attendance at the Final Four on Saturday.
What a day at the #MFinalFour 👏#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/vXbseYIfbx — NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 5, 2026
April 4, 2026 / 11:35 PM ET
Michigan Wins in a Rout
The collision of top-seeded teams in Michigan and Arizona resulted in a mismatch. The Wolverines opened up an early lead and were never really challenged in a 91-73 win. Michigan will now face UConn for the national title on Monday night.
Another chance at the #NationalChampionship for Michigan 🐺#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/1OdFYFCtaA — NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 5, 2026
April 4, 2026 / 11:22 PM ET
Time Ticking Away
Michigan is firmly in control down the stretch against Arizona.
Aday Mara is having a NIGHT 😤#MarchMadness @umichbball pic.twitter.com/wACprxxAUO — NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 5, 2026
April 4, 2026 / 11:06 PM ET
Running Away
The Wolverines are crushing the Wildcats in the second half.
Aday Mara handles his own put backs 🤣#MarchMadness @umichbball pic.twitter.com/fwQ4MALl7y — NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 5, 2026
April 4, 2026 / 10:51 PM ET
Michigan Pours It On
The Wolverines are up big in the second half over fellow top seed Arizona.
YAXEL AGAIN 🤯#MarchMadness @umichbball pic.twitter.com/4olHgsJlq5 — NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 5, 2026
April 4, 2026 / 10:23 PM ET
Halfway Home
Michigan leads Arizona 48-32 with a berth in the national title game on the line.
Halftime lead! pic.twitter.com/wpvHhPP2sl — Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball) April 5, 2026
April 4, 2026 / 10:07 PM ET
Get Up, Roddy Gayle Jr. 💪
pic.twitter.com/yqSQ4rVevD — Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball) April 5, 2026
April 4, 2026 / 10:03 PM ET
Poster Dunk
Michigan’s Roddy Gayle Jr. answers an Arizona run with a monster dunk.
RODDY GAYLE ELEVATED 🤯 pic.twitter.com/W8dpxZcvvE — NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 5, 2026
April 4, 2026 / 9:57 PM ET
Wolverines in Control, Wildcats Fight Back
Ivan Kharchenkov pulls Arizona within nine points, 28-19, in the first half.
Ivan Kharchenkov hits from long range 👀#MarchMadness @ArizonaMBB pic.twitter.com/rOgMgClCqH — NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 5, 2026
April 4, 2026 / 9:37 PM ET
Big Blue Up Big Early
TREY THROWS IT DOWN!! We're up 16-5! pic.twitter.com/1oLMNiYjqC — Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball) April 5, 2026
April 4, 2026 / 9:24 PM ET
Wildcats, Wolverines Have Tipped Off
We are underway with game ✌️ and Michigan is on the board early 🔥
#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/sQ5ZDv19Bh — NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 5, 2026
April 4, 2026 / 9:10 PM ET
Clash of the Titans
Top seeds Arizona and Michigan meet for a berth in the national title game.
Beat Arizona. pic.twitter.com/D3i11T4VVJ — Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball) April 4, 2026
April 4, 2026 / 9:06 PM ET
Building a Dynasty
"The culture, the expectation… just how resilient we've had to be throughout the year" 🎙️@TheAndyKatz gets a moment with Dan Hurley postgame to discuss UConn's march to ANOTHER #NationalChampionship game 🗣️#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/42geILxHh5 — NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 5, 2026
April 4, 2026 / 8:51 PM ET
Winning Ugly
The Huskies shot just 22-for-62 from the floor against Illinois, but they nailed 12 3s and answered every Illini charge down the stretch to take a 71-62 Final Four victory.
April 4, 2026 / 8:25 PM ET
UConn Is Headed to the Title Game
The Huskies earned a 71-62 win over Illinois to advance to their third title game in the last four years.
HUSKIES WILL PLAY FOR THE TITLE 🔥 pic.twitter.com/pNwu1HOSxD — UConn Men's Basketball (@UConnMBB) April 5, 2026
April 4, 2026 / 8:22 PM ET
Final Seconds
Keaton Wagler hit a huge 3 to pull Illinois within four points in the final minute.
WAGLER HAS THE ANSWER ‼️#MarchMadness @IlliniMBB pic.twitter.com/LDrco6d3ua — NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 5, 2026
April 4, 2026 / 8:06 PM ET
Close and Late
Illinois refuses to go away.
IT'S A 4-POINT GAME 😳 #MarchMadness Lock in for this finish: https://t.co/73IDsYprmk pic.twitter.com/jBK6kP0isO — NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 5, 2026
April 4, 2026 / 7:59 PM ET
Fighting Illinois
Illinois goes on an 8-0 run and makes it a six-point game down the stretch.
Tomi extends it to an 8-0 run with two made free throws 2H 6:46 | Illinois 51, UConn 57 pic.twitter.com/G6lQpZvUxO — Illinois Men's Basketball (@IlliniMBB) April 4, 2026
April 4, 2026 / 7:42 PM ET
Shooter’s Roll
Every time Illinois gets closer, UConn nails a 3. Solo Ball does the honors here to push the Huskies ahead 52-40.
A VERY friendly bounce tacks on 3️⃣ for Solo Ball 😮💨#MarchMadness @UConnMBB pic.twitter.com/Dl4nbZlUgf — NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 4, 2026
April 4, 2026 / 7:30 PM ET
Keeping Their Distance
David Mirkovic helps keep the Illini close at 44-36.
David Mirkovic dials one up 📞#MarchMadness @IlliniMBB pic.twitter.com/b46YqeKbsV — NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 4, 2026
April 4, 2026 / 7:02 PM ET
20 Minutes for Forever
UConn leads Illinois 37-29 at the half with a berth in the championship game on the line. Braylon Mullins has 12 points on 4-for-8 shooting and has nailed three 3s.
Halftime@ATT pic.twitter.com/sz7af0R1Mg — UConn Men's Basketball (@UConnMBB) April 4, 2026
April 4, 2026 / 6:59 PM ET
Advance Scouting
Michigan coach Dusty May is getting a look at UConn and Illinois.
Dusty May is keeping tabs on the first game 👀✍️#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/aPAn0WuyDf — NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadness