The 2026 men’s Final Four is set to take place, with UConn and Illinois facing off in one national semi-final. The other semi-final will see Arizona and Michigan battling it out in Indianapolis.
Arizona’s Path to the Final Four
Arizona’s dominance in the paint has been a key factor in their journey to the Final Four. Their relentlessness in the paint carried them during the NCAA tournament. They ranked fifth in the country for paint points, averaging over 42. They also led the nation in free throw attempts, securing nearly 20 points per game at the free throw line.
Against Arkansas in the Sweet 16, Arizona had 60 paint points and 30 points from the free throw line. This was the most combined points in an NCAA tournament game in the past 20 years. In their Elite Eight showdown against Purdue, Arizona imposed their will in the second half, finishing with 40 paint points and 20 points from the free throw line.
Arizona outscored Purdue by a combined 28 points in those areas. The team’s paint dominance comes from Koa Peat, Motiejus Krivas, and Tobe Awaka, alongside attacking plays from Jaden Bradley, Brayden Burries, and Ivan Kharchenkov.
Michigan’s Road to the Semifinal
Michigan’s ability to shift gears rapidly has helped them reach a level few teams can match. Their Elite Eight win over Tennessee was described as the most complete game seen by any team in the NCAA tournament.
Arizona v Michigan: A Battle in the Paint
The Arizona versus Michigan game will be a strength-on-strength battle in the paint. Arizona is more reliant on dominating the glass and finishing at the rim. They are in the top five nationally in paint points per game and offensive rebound percentage. Arizona also leads the nation in free throw attempts per game.
Michigan, meanwhile, is in the top five in 2-point defence and block rate. The Wolverines also limit their fouling. Michigan shoots better than 61% inside the arc and ranks in the top 20 in paint points and second-chance points per game.
Arizona will have to win the interior battle on both ends. Can Arizona continue to control the paint against a team that can match it from a size and physicality perspective?
UConn to Face Illinois
UConn will open Saturday’s national semi-finals against Illinois. This follows their successful comeback against Duke in the Elite Eight.
Experts have broken down how each team reached the final weekend of the NCAA tournament. They have also identified their keys to advancing to the title game on April 6.