Final Four preview

 The NCAA Final Four is here, and we have no new participants, although we have a team that's in their 3rd Final Four in the last 4 years (UConn). Illinois, UConn, Michigan and Arizona will attempt to bring home the title in Indianapolis, Indiana. Let's meet the teams.

Illinois has made March Madness the past 6 years, but hadn't got farther than the Elite Eight, and were knocked out last year by Kentucky in the second round. Brad Underwood's crew went 24-7 in the regular season, but lost their first game of the Big 10 tournament to Wisconsin. They made the tournament as a 3 seed, defeating Penn in round 1 and VCU in round 2. They made the sweet 16, beating Houston, and then beat Iowa in the Elite 8 to advance to their first Final Four in 21 years. They will be taking on the University of Connecticut, or UConn for short. UConn won the championship in 2023 and 2024, but lost in round 2 to eventual champion Florida in 2025. The Huskies went 27-4 in the regular season, and made it to the Big East Championship before losing to St. John's. They made the tournament as a 2 seed, and took care of Furman in round 1 and UCLA in round 2. They squeaked by Michigan State in the Sweet 16, but were down 15 at halftime of the Elite 8 against Duke. After fighting very hard in the second half, they found themselves down 3 with 10 seconds left. Silas Demary Jr. hit 1 of 2 free throws, then stole the inbound from Cameron Boozer, who is projected to be a top pick in the NBA Draft in June. Braylon Mullins hit a deep 3 pointer to send the Huskies back to the Final Four. The Huskies have the talent to dismantle Illinois, and they probably will. But this is March Madness, and I really don't want UConn to win, so I will take Illinois here.

Now we get to the battle of the top seeds: Arizona and Michigan. Arizona lost in the 2025 Sweet 16 to Duke. They went 29-2 (!!) during the regular season, and won the Big 12 title. They dismantled Long Island and took out Utah State after a bit of a scare. They then smoked Arkansas and took care of Purdue to make their first Final Four in 25 years. They have been DOMINANT this tournament thanks to a dominant frontcourt led by Brayden Burries and Jaden Bradley. They'll need a lot of points to take down Michigan. The Wolverines lost in the Sweet 16 last year, and this team was determined to bounce back. They did. They went 29-2 in the regular season, but lost the Big 10 championship to Purdue. They were still a #1 in the NCAA Tournament. They also rolled over all their challengers (Howard, St. Louis, Alabama and Tennessee) by double digits to earn their first Final Four berth in 8 years. They are led by the Big 10 player of the Year in Yaxel Lendeborg. What Arizona is, Michigan is more, and I think they ride that wave to the National Championship.

That would set up an all-Big Ten national championship between Illinois and Michigan. I have Michigan taking that and becoming champions. I'll see you after the games are done for another preview or recap.