Michigan 91-73, UConn 71-62: Final Four Winners
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- Michigan defeated Arizona 91‑73 in the Final Four, building a 30‑point lead in the second half and never trailing closer than 17 points.
- Aday Mara led Michigan with a game‑high 26 points on 11‑for‑16 shooting, adding nine rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
- Yaxel Lendeborg suffered an ankle injury and MCL sprain in the first half, returned for nine minutes in the second half but moved gingerly.
- UConn beat Illinois 71‑62, holding a 14‑point lead in the second half and stifling an Illini comeback.
- Braylon Mullins scored 15 points, including a go‑ahead three‑pointer with 52 seconds left that extended UConn’s lead to seven.
- UConn made 12 three‑pointers—the most ever in a Final Four game for the program—while Illinois shot only 6‑for‑26 from beyond the arc.
- Michigan is noted for a fast tempo (22nd in possessions per game), whereas UConn plays at a much slower pace (319th), a contrast highlighted for the championship preview.
Why it matters: Michigan gains a path to its first title since 1989, but Lendeborg’s ankle injury could limit its interior edge; UConn’s record‑setting 12 three‑pointers and slower tempo give it a tactical advantage, forcing the Wolverines into a half‑court battle in the championship game.
