Michigan wins its first NCAA national title since 1989, topping UConn in thriller

This is the first time Michigan has won since 1989, and only the second time in program history that they have called themselves champions.

Meanwhile, Husky They were looking to win their third Slam title in the last four tournaments, but their shots let them down in the end.

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Elliot Cado celebrates during the first half of the 2026 NCAA men’s basketball national championship game against UConn at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, on April 6, 2026. (Michael Reeves/Getty Images)

Although both teams attacked like a machine in this match, the start of this match was low-scoring. Michigan only owned a 33-29 halftime lead by the buzzer, but it wasn’t Yaxel Lendeborg who led the way in the points department for the Wolverines.

The Michigan star, who is dealing with a sprained left MCL and left ankle that came during a win over Arizona in the Final Four, was just 1-of-5 shooting for four points in the first half. Maurice Johnson Jr. (10 points) and Elliot Cado (seven points) were finding some rhythm for the Wolverines.

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But it didn’t help that Michigan was scoreless from beyond the arc and shooting just 37% from the field. Meanwhile, UConn wasn’t doing itself any favors either.

The Huskies shot just 33% in the first half, with Alex Karapan hitting two of his five three-point attempts. Solo Ball, who was spotted wearing a walking boot as he entered the game with “some type of foot sprain,” according to head coach Dan Hurley, had eight points on 3-of-4 shooting from the field.

While they were down, UConn was definitely playing the type of game they wanted against Michigan — a tough battle, especially on the glass. Michigan has shown its knack for gaining momentum and running fast offensively, dominating opponents all year, including this NCAA Tournament.

Yaxel Lendeborg of the Michigan Wolverines dribbles during the first half against the UConn Huskies in the 2026 NCAA men’s basketball national championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, on April 6, 2026. (Michael Reeves/Getty Images)

However, the Huskies know that their ability to scratch and claw for 40 minutes allows them to never let an opponent get comfortable. Just ask Duke Blue Devils What happened in the Final Four?

The Huskies had the same attitude in the second half, though it didn’t help them take a page out of the Wolverines’ playbook in the first half — they couldn’t find the hit from long range. UConn was desperate to hit a 3-pointer, but despite the open looks, they couldn’t knock down one as Michigan’s lead eventually reached 11 points after Cado finally broke his team’s stamp on the opposite end, burying a 3-pointer to reach a double-digit lead.

But Hurley had the crowd going as the Huskies never gave up, cutting the lead to five with under nine minutes to play in the game. However, after Lindeborg shook his head on the bench because he wasn’t having the national championship game he was hoping for, he stepped up when he came back again.

Lendeborg took a nice pass from Cadeau in transition and pushed the lead back to 11 with a tough layup, making it 56-45 with less than six minutes to play. He would also come in the clutch with two more points after Braylon Mullins’ 3-pointer.

Once again, the Huskies wouldn’t quit, as Mullens finally found his shot beyond the arc, knocking Michigan down to single digits with yet another follow-up three-pointer off Lendeborg layups. But, just as the Huskies played, the Wolverines always seem to have the answer in this tough competition.

Head coach Dan Hurley of the UConn Huskies reacts during the first half of the NCAA men’s basketball national championship game against the Michigan Wolverines at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, on April 6, 2026. (Michael Reeves/Getty Images)

A prime example of this is, after Karaban buried a 3-pointer to cut Michigan’s lead to six, Trey McKinney dropped back and drilled a 26-footer with 1:49 remaining in the game to push the lead back to nine points. The Wolverines faithful in the crowd went ballistic, knowing how important that basket was given what UConn has been able to do in this tournament.

With 37 seconds left, Paul got some help from the backboard, nailing a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 67-63 for the Wolverines. Rudy Gayle Jr. made things even more interesting in this game, as he was unable to knock down both of Michigan’s free throw attempts. But Caraban didn’t have another 3-pointer, finishing with 13 seconds left.

This was due to UConn’s desperate attempt, and Michigan celebrated its victory.

In the box score, Caddo led all scorers with 19 points on 5-of-11 shooting and 8-of-9 from the free throw line. Lendeborg was only 4th out of 13, although he still had 13 points. Johnson had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Wolverines as well.

Cadeau was named Most Valuable Player of the Final Four.

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Michigan was just 2 of 15 from the 3-point line, and coach Dusty May pointed out after the game the dominance on the glass, where UConn was outrebounded, 46-39.

However, the Huskies couldn’t find him offensively. Karapan finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds, but he shot 4 of 14 and just 3 of 10 from the three-point area. Tarris Reed Jr. also had a double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds, while Mullins, a hero against Duke with his half-court shooting, hit just 4 of 17 for 11 points.

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