UConn, Arizona, Michigan, Illinois Secure Final Four Spots in NCAA Men’s Tournament
The Final Four field is now set. Arizona, Illinois, Michigan and UConn will meet next weekend in Indianapolis. The games take place at Lucas Oil Stadium. Arizona will face Michigan, while Illinois draws Connecticut in the other semifinal.
Overview
This year’s bracket produced few upsets. Top teams advanced, making the semifinals a clash of elite programs. UConn, Arizona, Michigan and Illinois have secured berths to the Final Four in the NCAA men’s tournament.
Road to Indianapolis
Arizona Wildcats
Arizona entered the tournament as the West’s top seed after a 36-2 regular season. The Wildcats have won every postseason game by double digits, averaging a 20.5-point margin of victory.
In the Elite Eight Arizona trailed Purdue by seven at halftime. A dominant 48-26 second half sent them through. Freshmen Brayden Burries and Koa Peat have paced the team. Burries averages about 17.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists in the tournament. Peat adds roughly 17.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.
This is Arizona’s first Final Four appearance since 2001. The program’s lone national title came in 1997. Tommy Lloyd coaches the Wildcats in his fifth season.
Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois finished second in the Big Ten and dominated early rounds. The Illini won their opening games by 35 and 21 points, then beat No. 2 Houston in the Sweet 16.
They closed the regional by defeating No. 9 Iowa in the Elite Eight. Iowa had been on a run of upsets prior to that game. Freshman guard Keaton Wagler has led Illinois, averaging about 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists in the tournament. He is shooting near 44.0% from three.
Illinois returns to the Final Four for the first time since 2005. The program reached the Elite Eight in 2024. Brad Underwood is in his ninth season as head coach.
Michigan Wolverines
Michigan secured the Big Ten regular-season title this year. The Wolverines reached the Final Four after a 95-62 victory over No. 6 Tennessee in the Elite Eight.
They had posted wins by at least 13 points in the previous rounds. Depth is a clear strength; four players average double figures. Senior forward Yaxel Lendeborg leads the team at about 15.2 points per game for the season. Since the second round, he has surged to roughly 25.0 points and 8.3 rebounds per game.
Michigan was last in the Final Four in 2018. Dusty May is the head coach in his second season, succeeding Juwan Howard. May also led Florida Atlantic to the Final Four in 2023.
Connecticut Huskies
UConn advanced after two dramatic wins in the regional rounds. The Huskies survived a tight game with Michigan State in the Sweet 16. In the Elite Eight they erased a 19-point deficit to beat Duke 73-72.
The roster is deep and balanced, with five players averaging double figures. Senior center Tarris Reed Jr. has been a standout. He produced a 31-point, 27-rebound performance against Furman in round one. Reed also scored 26 points in the win over Duke.
Connecticut enters the Final Four with recent championship experience. The Huskies won national titles in 2023 and 2024. Dan Hurley is in his eighth season as head coach.
Filmogaz.com will provide continued coverage and analysis as the Final Four approaches.
