The Michigan Wolverines turned one of the most anticipated matchups of the NCAA Tournament into a one-sided showcase Saturday night, overwhelming the Arizona Wildcats 91–73 in the Final Four with a relentless performance that looked more like a highlight reel than a heavyweight duel.
Michigan (36–3) controlled the game from nearly the opening tip, racing to a double-digit lead just 5:31 into the contest and never allowing Arizona to settle into rhythm. The Wolverines combined physical interior defense with explosive transition offense, delivering nine dunks and three blocks while asserting themselves as the tournament’s most complete team heading into Monday’s national championship game.
Junior center Aday Mara delivered the performance of his career on the biggest stage yet, scoring a career-high 26 points and grabbing nine rebounds to anchor Michigan’s dominance inside. His presence helped the Wolverines control the paint on both ends and set the tone for a defense-first game plan that Arizona never solved.
Michigan’s execution was especially impressive considering the early injury scare to first-team All-American forward Yaxel Lendeborg.
Lendeborg’s night took a frightening turn early when he picked up two fouls within the first 90 seconds, then later landed on Motiejus Krivas’ foot and exited to the locker room after rolling his ankle and spraining his knee.
Despite the setback, Lendeborg returned after halftime and immediately knocked down two 3-pointers that pushed Michigan’s lead past 20 points. He finished with 11 points in just 14 minutes before heading to the bench late to begin recovery ahead of Monday’s title game.
The matchup had been billed as a clash between the nation’s top two defenses and two elite offenses stacked with NBA-level talent. Instead, Michigan turned it into a clinic.
The Wolverines packed the paint defensively and dared Arizona to beat them from deep—an uncomfortable proposition for a Wildcats squad that ranked among the nation’s lowest in 3-point attempts. Arizona couldn’t capitalize, shooting just 6-for-17 from beyond the arc and 36% overall.
By halftime, Michigan had built a commanding 48–32 lead while Arizona managed only two assists against nine turnovers in the opening 20 minutes.
Koa Peat finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds for Arizona (36–3), while Jaden Bradley added 13 points but picked up his fourth foul just 94 seconds into the second half, limiting his impact during the game’s decisive stretch.
Michigan’s offensive balance overwhelmed Arizona from every angle. Freshman Trey McKenney knocked down four 3-pointers and scored 16 points, while Elliot Cadeau produced one of the tournament’s most unusual stat lines: 13 points, 10 assists, five rebounds, four steals, and six turnovers.
Even with Cadeau shooting 5-for-17, Michigan still finished 47.8% from the floor and 12-for-27 from beyond the arc—continuing a historic scoring run through March Madness.
The Wolverines became the first team in NCAA Tournament history to score 90 or more points five times in a single tournament, and they extended their streak to five consecutive double-digit wins in this year’s bracket.
Michigan’s dominance was even more striking considering Arizona entered with only two losses all season—and both by narrow margins.
Instead, the Wildcats trailed by nine less than three minutes into the game and never threatened again.
Head coach Dusty May kept Lendeborg active longer than expected partly because of lessons learned watching UConn Huskies erase a 19-point deficit against Duke in the Elite Eight. But this time, there was no comeback brewing.
Michigan emptied the bench late while chasing a rare Final Four triple-digit performance—something only UNLV’s legendary 1990 squad accomplished in the modern era—but came up just short.
Still, the message was clear. With members of the legendary Fab Five in attendance celebrating the moment, the Wolverines delivered a performance reminiscent of that iconic era—minus the baggy shorts, but with plenty of dunks, swagger, and dominance.
Now Michigan turns its attention to the national championship showdown against UConn Huskies, who defeated the Illinois Fighting Illini 71–62 earlier in the night and are seeking their third title in four seasons.
Michigan, meanwhile, will be chasing just the second national championship in program history—and its first since 1989.
