May later told the reporters that he “wanted to see things live, especially because he’s not familiar with UConn.” He spent the moments before the biggest game of his career studying a potential opponent - without even knowing if his own team would advance. Fortune favours the bold.
A few hours later, the biggest stage in college basketball – the national championship – was set.
After starting with 68 teams dreaming about dancing their way to the title game, March Madness is down to two final contenders who prevailed and found their way through multiple playing rounds. On Monday night, the NCAA will crown a new champion.
No. 2 UConn advanced with a statement win over the third-seeded Illinois. With their performance, the Huskies iced all the doubts about their worthiness in the Final Four after Braylon Mullins’ miracle shot that sent home the No. 1 Duke.
And it was Mullins again who gave UConn the confidence and sealed the contest. After the Huskies got up early, they led by as many as 14 points in the second half, but the Fighting Illini didn’t give up.
Slowly, they started cutting the lead until they were only down four points. And just then, they started gaining momentum. Mullins struck again, drilling a clutch three-pointer to push the lead back to seven with under a minute remaining.
The Huskies closed it out 71–62, holding an elite Illinois offence to just 34% shooting and 23% from beyond the arc.
“I think just coming into the second half, I just had to get the momentum from the first half, and you've always got to shoot with confidence,” Mullins said after the game.
“The set was going to be run for anybody on the team. You've just got to shoot with confidence, just trying to find the best look on the floor and I know our point guards are going to get us the ball, so I think that was the biggest shot I hit tonight.”
UConn advanced to the third title game in the last four years, a remarkable achievement in men’s college basketball. The Huskies are on the verge of becoming a dynasty – with six championships, UConn is tied with North Carolina for third-most all-time. Another title would place them alone among the sport’s elite programs.
Scoring dominance
But on the other side awaits Michigan – the overall No. 1 seed that has been nothing but dominant in March Madness this year. The Wolverines dismantled No. 1 Wildcats 91-73 in the national semifinals.
What was expected to be a neck-to-neck battle turned into a Michigan show that Arizona couldn’t keep up with.
“They were outstanding tonight,” said Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd. “Really had us on our heels tonight. We never could get into a rhythm. No one's been able to do that to us all year.”
Michigan outpowered Arizona for 40 minutes – the Wildcats never led, and Michigan’s largest cushion was 30 points. Can the Wolverines keep the momentum against the red-hot UConn Huskies? On Monday, everything will be at stake.
While UConn strive to win their third title in this decade, Michigan can stand on top for the first time since 1989. The Wolverines are the closest to the championship they have been in the modern era, and the Huskies have proven they can deliver when it matters the most.
Interestingly, neither team won its conference tournament, falling short in the finals - making this their first shot at a title this season and a chance at redemption.
But losing early can be a blessing in disguise. Both teams adjusted, learned from their mistakes, and dramatically improved after showing some mortality through conference tournament losses.
The trophy matchup is going to come down to grit, hustle, and mental toughness as two powerhouses with big personalities collide.
Power vs. grit
Michigan are the favourite. They have the size, elite offence, and they dominate the boards. The Wolverines scored 90 or more points in every single tournament game this season, and they shoot 51 % from the floor.
Personal matchups favour the Wolverines – they reduce the space, make reads difficult, and shots uncomfortable. Michigan average 40.1 rebounds compared to UConn’s 36.4, and controlling the boards will prove critical in the finals.
The Huskies must box out with tenacity and limit Michigan’s second-chance points if they want to stay in the game.
But while physicality and size make Michigan look invincible, the Huskies boast one of the best defences in the country, and their pesky, disruptive style can bother the Wolverines. UConn takes pride in defending well, and the U-M most likely won’t achieve the 90-point mark again.
If the Huskies stay solid, contest without fouling, and keep Michigan’s stars in check, they can come out victorious. They excel in pushing their opponents into taking tough and uncomfortable shots, and that’s what got them all the way to the national championship game.
Elite coaches square off
Michigan can’t expect another easy win – they must embrace a physical battle that will wear them down. As an undersized team, UConn will need every ounce of scrappiness to make the Wolverines earn every inch of the hardwood.
Michigan must stay true to their identity, play the game inside, and capitalise on size. The Huskies must catch fire early and knock down their triples.
Michigan have looked like a championship team throughout the tournament. But UConn has proven it can rise in big moments - and wouldn’t be the first underdog to deliver a historic upset.
After scouting UConn courtside, coach May will have his best game plan ready to outlast the Huskies. But UConn’s head coach, Dan Hurley, isn’t a stranger to winning, and with two national championships under his belt, everything is set for what could be the game of the year in Indianapolis.
