NCAA Tournament Update: Wolverines Beat Huskies For National Title

by Elias Meredith

Sportz Nation - 4/7/2026

Photo by Abbie Parr/AP Photo

Monday night, the NCAA National Championship Game was played at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Dusty May-led Michigan Wolverines has his club in the NCAA national title game for the first time since 1989. Unlike Michigan, their opponent has some experience in the final game of the season.

The UConn Huskies are not new to the biggest stage in college basketball. The Huskies are in the third NCAA Championship appearance in the last 4 seasons.

Michigan’s All-American forward Yaxel Lendeborg came into the game battling ankle and knee injuries, but junior guard Elliot Cadeau stepped in with his game-high 19 points. Cadeau also won the Final Four Outstanding Player Award, after averaging 16 points and 6 assists in the last two rounds, as he led the Wolverines to a 69-63 victory.

The first half lived up to its championship hype, as both teams grappled for the lead. There were 8 ties, 10 lead changes in the first half between the two teams. Michigan would create some separation to close the first half, closing the half on a mini 8-4 run. Senior guard Robert Gayle Jr.'s rim-rattling putback slam gave Michigan momentum heading into halftime.

Michigan would take a 33-29 lead into the locker room. Sophomore forward Morez Johnson Jr. led the Wolverines in the first half with 10 points. The Huskies were led by their 4-year starting forward Alex Karaban with 8 first half points.

Michigan would lead for the entire second half, but UConn would refuse to go down without a fight. At the 12:58 mark of the second half, Michigan took their biggest lead of 11, which was powered by an 11-4 scoring run.

Michigan’s lead did not dip below 4 points for the rest of the game. UConn made it interesting in the last 3 minutes.

Karaban would drill a three with 2:31 left in the regulation to cut the Huskies deficit to 6. They would cause a turnover on the following possession, but a missed layup by junior guard Solo Ball would come back to bite UConn, as Michigan freshman guard Trey McKinney would drill a dagger three with 1:52 remaining.

UConn’s mini 5-0 run was capped off by a Solo Ball banked-in three, which would make it a 67-63 game with 37 seconds remaining.

The game would be iced at the charity stripe by McKenney. The school known for their football programs will be bringing some basketball hardware to Ann Arbor. As Michigan Basketball would win their first national title since 1989.

Thank you for a great college basketball season 2026!

Thank you for reading!

Elias Meredith (@EAM_55)