Michigan wins first NCAA national title since 1989, topping UConn in thriller

The Michigan Wolverines finally became national champions in men’s basketball once again, defeating the UConn Huskies 69-63 to end the thrilling NCAA Tournament in style on Monday night at Lucas Oil Stadium.

This was the first time Michigan won since 1989 and the second time in program history to call themselves champions.

Meanwhile, the Huskies were looking to win their third title in the last four tournaments, but their shot ultimately fell short.

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While both teams’ offenses came into this game working like machines, it was a low-scoring affair to start this game. Michigan led just 33-29 at halftime, but it wasn’t Yaxel Lendeborg who led the Wolverines in scoring.

The Michigan star, who suffered a left MCL and left ankle sprain during the win against Arizona in the Final Four, was able to score four points by shooting only 1 in 5 in the first half. Morez Johnson Jr. (10 points) and Elliot Cadeau (seven points) got into a rhythm for the Wolverines.

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But it didn’t help that Michigan couldn’t score from beyond the arc and shot just 37% from the field. Meanwhile, UConn wasn’t doing him any favors either.

The Huskies shot just 33% in the first half, while Alex Karaban hit two of his five 3-pointers. Solo Ball, who was seen entering the game in a walking boot with “some kind of ankle sprain,” scored eight points on 3/4 shooting from the field, according to head coach Dan Hurley.

While they were down, UConn was certainly playing the type of game they wanted against Michigan; It’s a tough fight, especially by the window. Michigan has demonstrated the ability to gain momentum and sprint offensively, out-dominating opponents all year long, including this NCAA Tournament.

Yaxel Lendeborg of the Michigan Wolverines dribbles the ball during the first half against the UConn Huskies during the National Championship of the 2026 NCAA men’s basketball tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 6, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

But the Huskies know that their ability to scratch and claw for 40 minutes ensures they never let their opponents get too comfortable. Ask the Duke Blue Devils what happened in the Final Four.

The Huskies showed the same attitude in the second half, but it didn’t help the Wolverines take a page out of the first half playbook; They couldn’t find the long shot. UConn was desperate to make a three-point shot, but despite open looks they failed to make a point as the Michigan lead eventually reached 11 points after Cadeau finally broke the seal on his team on the other end and nailed a three-pointer to take a double-digit lead.

But Hurley ignited the crowd as the Huskies never gave up, extending the lead to five with less than nine minutes left in the game. However, Lendeborg nodded off on the bench after failing to perform as he had hoped in the national championship, and stood up when he came back into the game.

Seeing Cadeau’s sweet pass during the transition, Lendeborg took the lead with a difficult layup and made the score 56-45 with less than six minutes left in the match. He would also score two more points after a three-pointer by Braylon Mullins.

Once again, the Huskies didn’t let up, as Mullins finally got his shot from beyond the arc and nailed a three-pointer following a layup by Lendeborg to bring Michigan’s lead back to single digits. But as gritty as the Huskies played, the Wolverines always seemed to know the answer in this tough contest.

UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley reacts during the first half of the NCAA men’s national basketball championship game against the Michigan Wolverines at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 6, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

A key example of this was when Karaban hit a three-pointer to cut the Michigan lead to six, then Trey McKenney stepped back and hit a 26-footer with 1:49 left in the game to push the lead back to nine points. The Wolverines faithful in the crowd went wild knowing how important this basket was considering what UConn has been able to do in this tournament.

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With 37 seconds left in the game, Ball, supported by the backboard, made a three-pointer and brought the difference to 67-63 for the Wolverines. Roddy Gayle Jr. made things even more interesting in this game when he failed to make two free throw attempts for Michigan. However, Karaban did not have another three-point shot and failed with 13 seconds left.

That was UConn’s desperation attempt, and Michigan celebrated their win.

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