Three years removed from the San Diego State miracle Final Four game the college basketball world is getting a matchup they were denied when Lamont Butler nailed that cold-blooded jumper in Houston.
Left watching from home on the losing side of that battle was FAU head coach Dusty May.
The Aztecs made that 2023 National Title game off that shot and though they pulled to within 5 points with 5 minutes left to go, the UConn Huskies had too much firepower in the arsenal and pulled away to a decisive Championship.
Now here in 2026 head coach of Michigan, Dusty May finally gets his chance at taking down UConn. Only this time he has the power of the Big Blue in Michigan behind him.
Here are some facts to look at this National Title matchup in Indianapolis.
5. UConn, Again
UConn enters the title game having won 11 straight NCAA Tournament games (dating back to 2023) by double digits, a historically dominant stretch that underscores their control under Dan Hurley. And he truly does have control with an almost neurotic approach to his coaching style. But hey, it works—why complain about it. Not many coaches can get away with some of the antics from Hurley. And it seems to be infectious. Just look at Dusty May and Hurley exchanging fun head rubs together in their join interview with CBS Sports.
4. Underdog Michigan?
Okay, we know the Wolverines are anything but a Cinderella—they’ve been one of the best teams in the country all season. Standing at about -6 to -6.5 point favorites as it stands this morning of game day sounds contrary to the point.
But to start the season Michigan was #9 in the first AP Poll. That’s not a huge leap, but they were not the clear odds on favorite to win the whole thing or seeing this team run the whole Midwest bracket as swiftly as they have. Taking down Saint Louis by double digits is one thing, but defeating #1 Arizona by 18 points was just flat out ridiculous.
Bottim line this is just the 2nd National Title appearance in the last 37 years, dating back to when John Beilein was the coach in 2017-2018 and Steve Fisher last took them in 1992-1993.
3. Clash of Tempos
The matchup itself brings a pretty clear contrast. UConn operates with one of the most efficient offenses in the country, ranking inside the top 10 in adjusted efficiency. They do it almost surgeon like, while playing at a more controlled pace, around the mid-60s in possessions per game.
Michigan has made their run by literally running. They push tempo, often getting into the 70-possession range. That difference may not seem huge on paper, but over the course of a game it wears on teams. Michigan has been rolling through the tournament with an offense that’s been nearly impossible to slow down, scoring 90+ points in every NCAA Tournament game so far.
Can UConn devise a gameplan that can keep their offensive executionn up and simultaneously slow the Wolverines down? Should be exciting to watch.
2. Star Power vs Depth
Another layer to this game is how each team gets its production. UConn’s depth stands out—they’ve got five players averaging at least nine points per game, which makes them hard to key in on defensively. Tarris Reed Jr. hits over 60% from the field and Alex Karaban is that extra experienced weapon that averages around 13 points per game.
Michigan has similar depth as well, but over the course of the season has leaned more on top-end production, with Yaxiel Lendeborg as the primary scorer carrying a heavier load night to night. In a one-game setting like this, can Michigan get a repeat performance of what they did vs Arizona is the question.
Lendeborg went down with what is believed to be an MCL sprain. The Wolverines carried on with Aday Mara’s huge 26 points in his absence and never slowed down. But in a title game anything can happen. Resetting with or without him at full effectiveness will only add to the weight and which side can hold up under the pressure.
1. Redefining a Legacy in this Portal Era
For UConn a win would not only elevate the school to even further new blue blood status since their initial title in 1999. But for Hurley, a third championship would thrust him into elite coaching status with three in the last four years. Doing that in the portal/NIL era is doubly impressive.
For Michigan’s program, a championship would mark a major return to national prominence and reshape its trajectory in the modern era of college basketball. Michigan is trying to win its first national championship since 1989, which would also end a long drought for the Big Ten at the top of the sport. (Michigan State’s Tom Izzo in 2000).
Will this game be the cementing of a dynasty in college basketball or the long waited arrival to the promised land for a notorious Big Ten powerhouse.
Michigan vs UConn • Monday, April 6, 2026. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:50PM PST
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