***Official 2026 NCAA Tournament Thread***

[BigLame]

AZ needed to make it as physical of a game as possible from the get go, but the way the refs called the game led to the opposite, which fell right into Michigan's hands. Cold streak early from outside was fuel to the fire.
Michigan has the size/length, but their passing was elite. Didn't seem AZ was able to pressure them with their defense, though, which was bizarre.

 

[GoHawks]

I’ll be curious how Michigan performs against better perimeter shooting team in UConn. Clearly teams who are big but can’t shoot the three (Arizona, Tennessee) get absolutely punked by Michigan’s size and skill.

UConn might put up a better fight on Monday (still not picking them though).

Uconn's slower tempo (kenpom 319)might bother Michigan too. I think you gotta play less possessions and hit from outside to beat them.

 

[CY88CE11]

Krivas missing the most wide open alley oop he could ask for is about right for this game. Woof.

 

[HoopsTournament]

Michigan is in the National Championship Game for the first time since 2018 and the 8th time overall. They are 1-6 in the National Championship Game. The only National Championship win was in 1989 vs Seton Hall. They have lost in their last four championship games.

 

[CY88CE11]

Michigan is in the National Championship Game for the first time since 2018 and the 8th time overall. They are 1-6 in the National Championship Game. The only National Championship win was in 1989 vs Seton Hall. They have lost in their last four championship games.

God, Hurley is going to win this, isn't he? **** this ****.

 

[cycloneG]

The B1G is cursed. UConn some how wins Monday.

 

[awd4cy]

 

[GP4ISU]

Michigan's size impacts a lot of this.

And they’re not going to be any smaller Monday night. Michigan 82 Fighting Hurleys 72

 

[BigLame]

Game ends with a Michigan player on the floor. Fitting

Don't give 2 ***** about them dominating in this win (they did). The amount of flopping & players on the floor is not entertaining to watch. The same can be said of AZ & in particular Bradley whose primary move was to drive into defender's bodies, pushing off to create space to shoot or get off passes. But I'd take the latter & have games such as ISU vs AZ in the conference tournament as opposed to what we witnessed tonight.

Ultimately, AZ (Bradley, for sure) didn't adapt to the calls early & AZ definitely lacked the focus & fire we saw all season, and Michigan exerted their will, beginning to end of the game.

 

[CyberJJJ]

That 3rd foul on Bradley was a massive call.

Yeah, but he’s gotten by with pushing off to get open for his mid range shot all year. It’s just the first time I’ve seen it called why he plays a different position, it looks a lot like SGA for Oklahoma City.

 

[CyberJJJ]

Game ends with a Michigan player on the floor. Fitting

Don't give 2 ***** about them dominating in this win (they did). The amount of flopping & players on the floor is not entertaining to watch. The same can be said of AZ & in particular Bradley whose primary move was to drive into defender's bodies, pushing off to create space to shoot or get off passes. But I'd take the latter & have games such as ISU vs AZ in the conference tournament as opposed to what we witnessed tonight.

Ultimately, AZ (Bradley, for sure) didn't adapt to the calls early & AZ definitely lacked the focus & fire we saw all season, and Michigan exerted their will, beginning to end of the game.

Can forgive Bradley for not adapting because he’s probably shocked as he got by with that exact same move all season along in the big 12

 

[SolterraCyclone]

Uconn's slower tempo (kenpom 319)might bother Michigan too. I think you gotta play less possessions and hit from outside to beat them.

Yep. And could be interesting if Yaxel is out too.

 

[HoopsTournament]

The most points by a team in their first 5 games of the tournament is 473 by Oklahoma in 1988. Michigan has scored 472 so far in this tournament.

The most points in a single tournament was UNLV with 571 in 1999. Michigan needs 100 to break that.

By contrast, UConn has 366 in first 5 games.

 

[HoopsTournament]

105 points need to be scored on Monday for this to be the first ever tournament with 10,000 total points.

 

[BigJCy]

 

[GoHawks]

I think 7.5-8.5

Too bad I'm only good at predicting the line and not the winners.

 

[Xerxes_]

The most points by a team in their first 5 games of the tournament is 473 by Oklahoma in 1988. Michigan has scored 472 so far in this tournament.

The most points in a single tournament was UNLV with 571 in 1999. Michigan needs 100 to break that.

By contrast, UConn has 366 in first 5 games.

Michigan looks a lot like UConn did 2 years ago. They're making good teams look overmatched.

 

[BigJCy]

 

[cyclones500]

Hurley is in a boot?!

 

[Clonehomer]

Hurley is in a boot?!

I’d prefer a muzzle. Or, one of those Mexican wrestling masks that you can’t see his cry baby facial expressions.

I’m just hoping they T him up early.