NCAA Tournament 2026

[1SE]

Sure glad we got that vaunted 1 seed match up - great basketball - much more exciting than a St. Peterequse making a final four run.

[MuggsyB]

Sure glad we got that vaunted 1 seed match up - great basketball - much more exciting than a St. Peterequse making a final four run.

The truth is other than High Point, it's been a pretty meh tournament.

[willie warrior]

You've been married as long as I've been alive, impressive feat.

This Michigan team is insane tonight, Arizona doesn't know what hit em.

As for UConn, Muggsys right.
Never in my wildest dreams would I have guessed that team makes the title game.
They seemed in shambles late in the season.
Dan Hurley is a HOFer

And the gap widens.

[tower912]

Willie the neighbors chihuahua.

[MuggsyB]

The Lendenborg injury could have some impact tomorrow.  UCONN will make Michigan chase a lot, and Yaxel is really good switching and guarding smalls.  I also don't expect UCONN to kick the ball away like Zona did. Still, the question is will Demary, Ball, and Karaban make enough shots?  Also, there's Reed vs Mara.  Reed has to get the giant Spainard in foul trouble or be super efficient finishing at the rim.  Mara's mobility impresses me and he can also pass and handle the ball a bit.  I would think he'll be a top 20 pick.  If I was matched up against Mara I would bang him a bit before attacking with a quick pivot and finish. 

[Scoop Snoop]

If I was matched up against Mara I would punch him in the knees.

[brewcity77]

I think a big key for Monday is whether UConn can play the game at their pace. It's easier to slow teams down, and here's how Michigan has fared in games at 65 or fewer possessions:

• 62 - LOSS - Duke 68-63
  
• 63 - LOSS - Purdue 80-72
  
• 64 - WIN - UCLA 86-56
  
• 65 - WIN - Ohio State 74-62
  
• 65 - WIN - Minnesota 77-67
  
• 65 - WIN - Iowa 71-68

I use 65 because UConn has played 5 games in this tournament all at 65 or fewer, with an average of 63.8 possessions. The Wolverines are 4-2 at 65 or fewer, UConn is 19-2 (losses to Arizona and St John's). It's no guarantee, Michigan blew out Ucla in 64 possessions and St John's blew out UConn in 63 at the BET.

UConn will need to slow it down, make Michigan chase them around the perimeter, drain the clock, not turn it over and give easy run-outs, and hit their shots, but considering it's Hurley, I expect a good gameplan and think UConn has a real shot if they can play their game.

[wadesworld]

The door cracked open with the Yaxel injury, especially if May is going to actually have him on the court. If not for that I'd take Michigan minus any number Vegas would reasonably set the spread at (looks like it's at 7.5 right now, and if not for Yaxel's injury I'd say Michigan covers double that).

[MuggsyB]

I meant if I was Reed S-S.

[MuggsyB]

The door cracked open with the Yaxel injury, especially if May is going to actually have him on the court. If not for that I'd take Michigan minus any number Vegas would reasonably set the spread at (looks like it's at 7.5 right now, and if not for Yaxel's injury I'd say Michigan covers double that).

The weird thing about yesterday was that Cadeau was the best guard on the floor despite shooting poorly. He controlled everything.  I can't see Michigan going that ballistic from 3 but they're clearly a significant favorite.  My voodoo stuff against them didn't work.

[willie warrior]

Willie the neighbors chihuahua.

Does the truth sting that much Tower? I believe that I am a fan of MU as much as you. But you are blind to the truth. MU is not keeping up with the changing of college BB or with UConn, St. John's in its own league and you dont recognize it. You would rather throw out insults like some others here
Tower, the neighborhood fan girl.

[tower912]

Lol.  The fun part is I know that is the best you have.  I appreciate the laughs you provide me.

Keep trembling on the couch and yapping incessantly at the air.

[tower912]

Muggsy, I have watched Michigan a half dozen times this season, each time rooting against them.   They are a freight train, the Borg.    Mara's improvement over his time at UCLA is remarkable.   I will be rooting for UConn, but Michigan is legit and has been all season.   Dammit.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

If I was matched up against Mara I would bang him a bit before attacking with a quick pivot and finish. 

Paws?

[Billy Hoyle]

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48403973/uconn-solo-ball-uncertain-ncaa-tournament-title-game

[The Sultan]

If UConn wins, it will be the first time that a team has won 3 times in 4 years since 1975, when UCLA won after also winning in 1972 and 73.

[burger]

That would be a tremendous fete....

But they don't have a chance in hell....

Who is going to score for them.....And Michigan is putting 90 on their opponents....

[wadesworld]

That would be a tremendous fete....

But they don't have a chance in hell....

Who is going to score for them.....And Michigan is putting 90 on their opponents....

They definitely have a chance. It would be an upset, but far from the biggest one in this tournament.

[MuggsyB]

They definitely have a chance. It would be an upset, but far from the biggest one in this tournament.

Solo Ball might not play. Karaban is going to have an actual good game imo for them to have a legitimate chance. 

[Billy Hoyle]

Sure glad we got that vaunted 1 seed match up - great basketball - much more exciting than a St. Peterequse making a final four run.

Definitely. It was so much more enjoyable than when we got an overmatched mid major Cinderella like Butler in the Final Four.

[MU82]

Solo Ball not playing might help UConn.

[Nukem2]

Solo Ball not playing might help UConn.

True as his 3 ball shot has been awful all year and his defense is also awful.

[MuggsyB]

Solo Ball not playing might help UConn.

It hurts their depth....but Ross has been pretty good.

[Billy Hoyle]

It hurts their depth....but Ross has been pretty good.

Stewart is back healthy too

[wadesworld]

Definitely. It was so much more enjoyable than when we got an overmatched mid major Cinderella like Butler in the Final Four.

When you have to go back over 15 years to find an example it's probably not proving the point you want it to, especially when the other side of the argument needs to look all the way back to 2025 to point out an all time great Final Four with 4 one seeds/powerhouse programs.

Also, I'm sure the rotation of Shelvin Mack, Matt Howard, Andrew Smith, Shawn Vanzant, Ronald Nored, Zach Hahn, Chase Stigall, and Khyle Marshall would've definitely gone toe to toe with this year's Michigan team.