NCAA Men’s Tournament: UConn, Arizona, Michigan, Illinois Head to Final Four

The Final Four Teams

The men’s NCAA Tournament has reached its final four, with the top teams in the country set to compete in Indianapolis next weekend. The four teams that have advanced are the No. 1 Arizona Wildcats, the No. 3 Illinois Fighting Illini, the No. 1 Michigan Wolverines and the No. 2 Connecticut Huskies. While this year’s tournament lacked underdogs, the lack of upsets means that these four teams are among the best in the nation.

Arizona will face Michigan, while Illinois will take on Connecticut in the semifinals at Lucas Oil Stadium this upcoming Saturday.

Arizona Wildcats: A Dominant Force

As the top seed in the West region, the Arizona Wildcats have been dominant throughout the tournament. They finished the regular season with a 36-2 record and have won each of their postseason games by double digits, with an average margin of victory of 20.5 points.

In the Elite Eight, Arizona overcame a seven-point halftime deficit against No. 2 Purdue, outscoring the Boilermakers 48-26 in the second half. The team has been led by the freshman duo of guard Brayden Burries and forward Koa Peat. Burries is averaging 17.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game, while Peat adds 17.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game.

This is Arizona’s first appearance in the Final Four since 2001. The team won its only national championship in 1997, and head coach Tommy Lloyd is in his fifth season with the program.

Illinois Fighting Illini: A Strong Presence

The Illinois Fighting Illini finished second in the Big Ten this season and have been consistent throughout the tournament. After winning their first two games by 35 and 21 points, respectively, Illinois defeated No. 2 Houston in the Sweet 16 and No. 9 Iowa in the Elite Eight.

Illinois’ win over Iowa was particularly impressive, as the Hawkeyes had upset three straight higher seeds before facing the Illini. The team is led by freshman guard Keaton Wagler, who is averaging 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game during the tournament, while shooting 44.0% from beyond the arc.

This is Illinois’ first Final Four appearance since 2005, when they lost in the national championship game to North Carolina. Head coach Brad Underwood is in his ninth season with the school.

Michigan Wolverines: A Deep Roster

The Michigan Wolverines were the top team in the Big Ten this season and entered the Final Four with an emphatic victory over No. 6 Tennessee. After winning by no fewer than 13 points in the first three rounds, Michigan defeated the Volunteers 95-62 to secure their spot in Indy.

Michigan’s depth, especially in the frontcourt, is a key strength. The team has four players who average at least double figures in points, with senior forward Yaxel Lendeborg leading the way at 15.2 points per game. Lendeborg has taken his game to another level in March, averaging 25.0 points and 8.3 rebounds since the second round.

The Wolverines last appeared in the Final Four in 2018. Head coach Dusty May is in his second season with the program after taking over from Juwan Howard. May is making his second Final Four appearance in four seasons, having led Florida Atlantic to the semifinal in 2023.

Connecticut Huskies: A Balanced Team

The Connecticut Huskies won back-to-back thrillers to make the Final Four, surviving against No. 3 Michigan State in the Sweet 16 before overcoming a 19-point deficit to defeat No. 1 Duke 73-72 in the Elite Eight.

Connecticut is perhaps the most well-balanced team left in the tournament, with five players averaging at least double figures in scoring. Senior center Tarris Reed Jr. is the team’s leading scorer and has had some standout performances, including a 31-point, 27-rebound night against Furman in the first round and a 26-point effort against the Blue Devils.

The Huskies enter the Final Four with championship pedigree, having won back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024. After a second-round exit in 2025, the team is once again on the verge of another championship under head coach Dan Hurley, who is in his eighth season with the program.