Michigan Overpowers Arizona, Marches Into National Championship Game

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INDIANAPOLIS — In a Final Four matchup billed as a clash of titans, only one team looked the part. Behind a career-high performance from 7-foot-3 center Aday Mara and a relentless defensive effort, the Michigan Wolverines dismantled the Arizona Wildcats 91–73 on Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The victory punches Michigan’s ticket to the National Championship for the first time since 2018. It was a wire-to-wire statement for the Wolverines (36–3), who handed Arizona (36–3) its most lopsided NCAA Tournament loss in nearly a decade.

The Mara Show

Sophomore center Aday Mara was the unquestioned MVP of the night. Exploiting his massive size advantage, Mara dominated the paint from the opening tip, finishing with a career-high 26 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists.

Mara became only the second player in Final Four history standing 7-foot-3 or taller to score at least 20 points, joining Purdue legend Zach Edey. His ability to score over Arizona’s frontline forced the Wildcats into early foul trouble and opened up the perimeter for Michigan’s sharpshooters.

Backcourt Brilliance

While Mara owned the interior, the Michigan backcourt orchestrated the blowout:

Elliot Cadeau: Despite battling a mid-game scare with a nut allergy, the sophomore point guard was a maestro, recording a double-double with 13 points and 10 assists. In the process, he broke Michigan’s single-season record for assists.
Trey McKenney: The freshman standout provided the perimeter punch, hitting four triples on his way to 16 points.
Yaxel Lendeborg: Despite picking up two early fouls that limited his first-half minutes, Lendeborg hit three crucial three-pointers in the second half to keep Arizona’s comeback attempts at bay.

Wildcats Stifled

For Arizona, the night was a jarring departure from the high-octane offense that defined their season. The Wildcats struggled to find rhythm against Michigan’s length, shooting just 37% overall and a meager 6-of-17 from beyond the arc.

Koa Peat: The star freshman was a lone bright spot, finishing with 16 points and 11 rebounds to become the first Arizona freshman to record a double-double in a Final Four game.
Jaden Bradley: Battled foul trouble all night, picking up his fourth foul just 94 seconds into the second half. He finished with 13 points, most of which came during extended garbage time.

The Turning Point

After Arizona used a 9–0 run to briefly threaten in the first half, Michigan responded with a clinical 14–2 surge sparked by a Roddy Gayle Jr. dunk. By the time the halftime whistle blew, Michigan held a commanding 48–32 lead. The Wolverines never let the lead slip below double digits for the remainder of the contest, leading by as many as 27 points midway through the second half.

Monday Night for All the Marbles

Michigan’s dominant run through the tournament continues. They have now won five straight games by double digits and have become the first team to reach the 90-point plateau five times in a single NCAA Tournament.

The Wolverines now advance to the National Championship on Monday night, where they will face the UConn Huskies, who defeated Illinois in the earlier semifinal.