The 2026 Final Four has arrived! The first game of today’s slate in Indianapolis, Indiana, at Lucas Oil Stadium features the Michigan Wolverines against the Arizona Wildcats. Arizona enters this contest 8-2 against Michigan and has won the previous three games against them.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, Michigan is -1.5 with Arizona being the underdog at +102. The over/under is set at 157.5 points with both being -110. Check out my preview and best bet for Michigan vs. Arizona in the Final Four.
Michigan vs. Arizona (8:49 p.m. ET)
This matchup features the two best teams left in the NCAA Tournament. Michigan is No. 1 on KenPom while Arizona is No. 2. The Wolverines have the best defensive rating in the country, while the Wildcats are second. Arizona’s offensive rating is ranked one spot ahead of Michigan’s.
Michigan averages 1.2 more points per game while Arizona allows 0.8 fewer to opponents. As the betting line suggests, these two teams are so closely matched up. Michigan has won four straight, while Arizona’s current winning streak stands at 13, as they haven’t lost since February. 14. Arizona is coming off a 21-point victory over No. 4 Arkansas and a 15-point win against No. 2 Purdue. Michigan last beat No. 6 Tennessee 95-62 and No. 4 Alabama by 13 points.
The Wolverines are led by star forward Yaxel Lendeborg, who is averaging 21 points per contest on five percent shooting on three-pointers in March Madness. Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara join Lendeborg in the frontcourt to create an elite trio for Michigan. Mara is averaging 13.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per contest in the tournament. Michigan’s lead guard Elliot Cadeau had an allergic reaction, causing him to join the team late in Indianapolis.
Arizona’s star freshman trio of Brayden Burries, Koa Peat, and Ivan Kharchenkov have been three of the Wildcats top four scorers this season. Burries averages 17.8 points, 6.3rebounds on 57.9 percent shooting from the field and 68.4 percent on three-pointers. Peat has been spectacular lately, scoring at least 20 points in his last two games against Purdue and Arkansas.
Both teams have top-tier frontcourts, but the difference is Arizona’s backcourt. Brayden Burries and Jaden Bradley are the two best guards in this game and have shown the ability to take over in the biggest moments of the season. Arizona has proved countless times that it is the most battle-tested team in the country, and I believe that will give it the edge late in this game.
