NCAA Tournament 2026

[MU82]

Although there haven't been all that many true Final Four Cinderella stories (which is why folks remember them), one could argue there were a couple of Cinderella teams in the FF just 3 years ago - when the best seed was a #4.

[MuggsyB]

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.

Ya....they're really good.  And definitely a problem.  If they shoot a decent percentage from 3, UCONN is in a world of trouble. 

[MU82]

Everyone knows that the team with the best FT% during the game will win.

[muwarrior69]

Ya....they're really good.  And definitely a problem.  If they shoot a decent percentage from 3, UCONN is in a world of trouble. 

Who woulda thunk? UCONN a Cinderella team in the final.

[Billy Hoyle]

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. 

Brad Stevens could have designed a better game plan to avoid the game being over in the first two minutes.

How about 2023, when SDSU/FAU went down to the last shot, or when 11 seed Loyola led Michigan at halftime? 2019 was more competitive with a 5 seed. 2018, with a 7 seed, was more competitive. Just because there are all high seeds doesn't guarantee the games will be better.

Also, the Butler/Duke final is the second-highest rated title game since 2005.

[wadesworld]

Brad Stevens could have designed a better game plan to avoid the game being over in the first two minutes.

How about 2023, when SDSU/FAU went down to the last shot, or when 11 seed Loyola led Michigan at halftime? 2019 was more competitive with a 5 seed. 2018, with a 7 seed, was more competitive. Just because there are all high seeds doesn't guarantee the games will be better.

Also, the Butler/Duke final is the second-highest rated title game since 2005.

I too long for the days when the national champion winning team shot 35% from the field and that is double what their opponent shot. Stevens had such a masterclass of a gameplan that his Bulldogs shot 18% in the national championship. Wish we had those awesome 53-41 title games back. Cinderella danced until midnight.

Remember how embarrassing it was for Marquette to shoot 4/31 from 3 against NC State 2 years ago? Butler shot 3/31 from 2! Wiz kid Stevens at work against the .500 Big East UCONN.

The game would've been over before it started. If you haven't been paying attention, Michigan did to every opponent what they did to Arizona last night in the Tournament. Mid major, low major, high major. It has not mattered one bit.

The 2026 ratings through the Elite 8 (can't find anything showing Final 4 ratings from last night) were the highest since 1993. So seems like the sport/tournament hasn't been ruined by a lack of a bad/mediocre team making a deep run.

[tower912]

1984.  Georgetown 53-40 over Kentucky.   Kentucky goes 13-53, something like 3-30 in the second half.   Riveting.

[MU82]

Regardless of which "side" one is on in this debate, cherry-picking stats and games is fun!

[Warriors4ever]

tower, I was at that game in 1984  ( back when it was fairly easy to go to the Final Four lol). Kentucky did not score for something like the first ten minutes of the second half. It was glorious...

[MuggsyB]

Brad Stevens could have designed a better game plan to avoid the game being over in the first two minutes.

How about 2023, when SDSU/FAU went down to the last shot, or when 11 seed Loyola led Michigan at halftime? 2019 was more competitive with a 5 seed. 2018, with a 7 seed, was more competitive. Just because there are all high seeds doesn't guarantee the games will be better.

Also, the Butler/Duke final is the second-highest rated title game since 2005.

Good points BH. 

[MuggsyB]

I'm not feeling great about UCONN's chances. They're going to have to control tempo, that's for sure. 

[tower912]

My heart says UConn.  My head says take Michigan and give the points.  And I hate Michigan. 

[MuggsyB]

My heart says UConn.  My head says take Michigan and give the points.  And I hate Michigan. 

Ya....can't stand them. But I respect Dusty May. 

[MuggsyB]

Idiotic foul by Demary. 

[MuggsyB]

Michigan's size is an early prob for UCONN. 

[MUEng92]

It doesn't count if I complain about the refs when it isn't against MU, but that didn't seem close to a blocking foul against Ball on the last possession.

[tower912]

Michigan's size is an early prob for UCONN. 

Has been for everyone all season. 

[MuggsyB]

UCONN controlling tempo.  But fouls could he a prob.  Neither team has much offensive rhythm. 

[MUEng92]

Cadaeu got significantly less arm on that foul than the play he didn't get called for a foul earlier

[MuggsyB]

Smith has been way better than Demary.

[MuggsyB]

Wow.  I thought that was a jump ball. 

[MUEng92]

I can't stand Mullins and there is no way that wasn't a jump ball

[21Jumpstreet]

Foul calls are crazy

[MuggsyB]

Foul calls are crazy

Did they call a moving screen on that one?? 

[Norm]

Refs are letting UM bang away, travel, and set moving picks all game long. Not calling it the same for both teams right now.