The Final Four in the NCAA men’s tournament is set after a less-than-surprising Elite Eight.
Schools heading to Indianapolis next weekend are No. 1 Arizona Wildcats, the No. 3 Illinois Fighting Illini, No. 1 Michigan Wolverines and the No. 2 Connecticut Huskies. Although this year’s tournament has been lacking in Cinderellas, the lack of controversy means that the remaining four teams are some of the best in the country.
The Wildcats will play the Wolverines and the Fighting Illini will face the Huskies Next Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Here’s a brief look at each team’s path to Indy.
The Arizona Wildcats
The top seed in the West Region, the Wildcats cruised through the tournament after a 36-2 regular season. Arizona has won each of its postseason games by double digits, with an average margin of victory of 20.5 points.
In the Elite Eight, the Wildcats overcame a seven-point halftime deficit against No.
Arizona has been led largely this season by the group of freshmen guard Brayden Burries and forward Koa Peat. Burries is averaging 17.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game in the contest, while Peat has been adding 17.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists per night.
The Wildcats’ Final Four appearance is the program’s first since 2001. Arizona won one national championship, in 1997. Head coach Tommy Lloyd is in his fifth season with the Wildcats.
Illinois Fighting Illini
The Fighting Illini finished second in the Big Ten this season and are the top seed in the tournament. After winning its first two games by 35 and 21 points, respectively, Illinois knocked off No. 2 Houston in the Sweet 16 and No. 9 Iowa in the Elite Eight.
The Fighting Illini’s victory over the Hawkeyes was impressive, as Iowa enters the matchup having upset three straight seeds.
Illinois is led by freshman guard Keaton Wagler, a three-point shooter. Wagler averaged 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists a game during the tournament while shooting 44.0% from deep.
After reaching the Elite Eight in 2024, the Illini are making their fourth final appearance since 2005, when they lost in the national championship game to North Carolina.
Illinois head coach Brad Underwood is in his ninth season at the school.
The Michigan Wolverines
The Wolverines were the best team in the Big Ten this year, and entered the Final Four with a strong victory over then-No. 6 Tennessee. After winning by as few as 13 points in the first three rounds, Michigan took down the Volunteers, winning 95-62 to punch its ticket to Indy.
Depth, especially in the frontcourt, is a strength for the Wolverines. Michigan has four players averaging at least double figures in points, but none more so than senior forward Yaxel Lendeborg’s 15.2. Lendeborg has taken his game to the next level in March, averaging 25.0 points and 8.3 rebounds since the second round.
The Wolverines recently played in the Final Four in 2018. Their head coach, Dusty May, is in his second season at the school after taking over from Juwan Howard. May is making his fourth final appearance in four seasons, having led Florida Atlantic to a semifinal appearance in 2023.
The Connecticut Huskies
The Huskies won back-to-back upsets to make the Final Four, surviving against No. 3 Michigan State in the Sweet 16 before overcoming a 19-point deficit to upset No. 1 Duke with a 73-72 win over the Elite Right.
Connecticut is perhaps the most consistent team left in the tournament, with five players averaging at least double figures in scoring. Senior center Tarris Reed Jr. he’s the leading scorer for the Huskies, and he’s had his best this month, including a 31-point, 27-rebound night against Furman in the first round and a 26-point effort against the Blue Devils.
Connecticut enters the Final Four with a championship pedigree, winning back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024. After a second-round exit in 2025, the Huskies are on track for another championship in coach Dan Hurley’s eighth season with the program.
