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The NCAA Tournament has completed two weekends of play. Now comes the third on Saturday with a doubleheader at the Final Four in Indianapolis. Four teams are left, ready to battle for a chance at a title. To the surprise of no one, two Big Ten teams -- Michigan and Illinois -- are left. They have affirmed that the Big Ten Conference is the best in college basketball. The next goal: Win a national championship for the first time since 2000.
Here are my predictions for the Final Four and its two Big Ten teams:
Illinois has all the size and Europeans possible to take down the dynasty of the UConn Huskies. Dan Hurley and UConn are coming off one of the best wins in March Madness history. Everything in this game might be siding with the Huskies, but Illinois is a team that can withstand the odds being stacked against them. These two teams matched up before as UConn won by double digits, but I think the outcome of this match-up will be very different. This game will deliver a classic, thrilling Final 4 match, and I think Illinois will come out on top. They have nothing to lose, and they are playing with house money and as confident as you can be. They will have what it takes to beat a team like UConn.
This is two juggernauts vs each other, but the team that has the best defense will be victorious. That team so far in this tournament has always been Michigan. Michigan has blown teams out so far in every game; this will not be the game where that happens. Arizona matches well with Michigan in every category. Michigan stars will have to play their best from Yaxel Lendeborg to Morez Johnson Jr.; each player has to step up. I think Michigan's defense will be the best unit on the court, and Yaxel Lendeborg will be the one who makes the game-changing shots and plays. I like Michigan to win this game, but it will be a fight all the way until the buzzer sounds.
Keaton Wagler is the star of the Fighting Illini team, and when he is clicking, they are hard to beat. The team is also dangerous from beyond the arc when he has it going. I expect Wagler to have another 25-point game, but this time, the majority of his points come from 3. The Illini will follow his hot shooting, and his efficient night will create even more opportunities for his teammates. This game will depend on how good Wagler can be, and if he plays to the level, I think the Fighting Illini will move on to the title game.
Yaxel Lendeborg vs Koa Peat will be quite the matchup to watch and one of the more important battles in the Michigan vs Arizona game. Lendeborg is picking up steam; he has gotten better with each and every game, and he has had 3 straight 20-point performances. Lendeborg is more experienced, and this is a moment he will not let slip, as each game moving forward is more than likely his last collegiate game. I think Lendeborg will be the star he has been, and he will drop at least 27 points to carry Michigan to the title game.
The Big Ten has its hands full with two title favorites matching up against them right before the title game. Michigan and Illinois have battled it out in the best conference in the country, and now they get the best opportunity possible to prove how good they truly are. Illinois may be looked at as the underdog, but they have proven in this tournament that they are a team not to be taken lightly.
I expect both Illinois and Michigan to move on and match up in the national title game. Two of the toughest matchups of the season for both squads will lead to them facing off vs a familiar opponent. Regardless of the outcome, it will be a huge victory for the Big Ten conference.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Micah Huff's Final Four picks for Big Ten in 2026 March Madness
Continue reading...
Here are my predictions for the Final Four and its two Big Ten teams:
No. 3 Illinois over No. 2 UConn
Illinois has all the size and Europeans possible to take down the dynasty of the UConn Huskies. Dan Hurley and UConn are coming off one of the best wins in March Madness history. Everything in this game might be siding with the Huskies, but Illinois is a team that can withstand the odds being stacked against them. These two teams matched up before as UConn won by double digits, but I think the outcome of this match-up will be very different. This game will deliver a classic, thrilling Final 4 match, and I think Illinois will come out on top. They have nothing to lose, and they are playing with house money and as confident as you can be. They will have what it takes to beat a team like UConn.
No. 1 Michigan over No. 1 Arizona
This is two juggernauts vs each other, but the team that has the best defense will be victorious. That team so far in this tournament has always been Michigan. Michigan has blown teams out so far in every game; this will not be the game where that happens. Arizona matches well with Michigan in every category. Michigan stars will have to play their best from Yaxel Lendeborg to Morez Johnson Jr.; each player has to step up. I think Michigan's defense will be the best unit on the court, and Yaxel Lendeborg will be the one who makes the game-changing shots and plays. I like Michigan to win this game, but it will be a fight all the way until the buzzer sounds.
Predictions for top performers for Saturday
Keaton Wagler is the star of the Fighting Illini team, and when he is clicking, they are hard to beat. The team is also dangerous from beyond the arc when he has it going. I expect Wagler to have another 25-point game, but this time, the majority of his points come from 3. The Illini will follow his hot shooting, and his efficient night will create even more opportunities for his teammates. This game will depend on how good Wagler can be, and if he plays to the level, I think the Fighting Illini will move on to the title game.
Yaxel Lendeborg vs Koa Peat will be quite the matchup to watch and one of the more important battles in the Michigan vs Arizona game. Lendeborg is picking up steam; he has gotten better with each and every game, and he has had 3 straight 20-point performances. Lendeborg is more experienced, and this is a moment he will not let slip, as each game moving forward is more than likely his last collegiate game. I think Lendeborg will be the star he has been, and he will drop at least 27 points to carry Michigan to the title game.
Overview
The Big Ten has its hands full with two title favorites matching up against them right before the title game. Michigan and Illinois have battled it out in the best conference in the country, and now they get the best opportunity possible to prove how good they truly are. Illinois may be looked at as the underdog, but they have proven in this tournament that they are a team not to be taken lightly.
What's next
I expect both Illinois and Michigan to move on and match up in the national title game. Two of the toughest matchups of the season for both squads will lead to them facing off vs a familiar opponent. Regardless of the outcome, it will be a huge victory for the Big Ten conference.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Micah Huff's Final Four picks for Big Ten in 2026 March Madness
Continue reading...
