After a dominant tournament run, Dusty May and his Michigan Wolverines are atop the college basketball world.
It's been since 1989, but Michigan is once again on top of college basketball.
In a gritty, defense-first battle, the Wolverines outlasted UConn 69-63 to capture the national championship, leaning on toughness, timely scoring, and clutch free-throw shooting to close it out.
This wasn’t the offensive showcase Michigan displayed during the entire tournament or in the Final Four. Instead, it was a grind. Both teams struggled to find rhythm, but Michigan made just enough plays down the stretch to separate. The Wolverines shot 38.2% from the field and just 13.3% from three (2-of-15), yet still controlled the game by winning in the margins.
The biggest difference came at the free-throw line. Michigan knocked down 25-of-28 attempts (89.3%), compared to UConn’s 12-of-16. UConn tried to get physical with the Wolverines but it backfired. Elliot Cadeau led the way with 19 points, going an impressive 8-of-9 from the line while adding steady ball-handling against UConn’s pressure.
Michigan also got key contributions across the lineup. The frontcourt presence of Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr. helped neutralize UConn on the interior. Johnson Jr. pulled down 10 rebounds to lead the team, while Mara added 8 points and 4 boards.
Nimari Burnett only hit four free throws in the game but he defended well and grabbed four solid rebounds from his guard position. As usual, Roddy Gayle Jr. chipped in with timely plays, including two big blocks. Trey McKenney added 9 points, including a late three-pointer that helped Michigan maintain control in the final minutes.
Michigan's star, Yaxel Lendeborg wasn't as dynamic as he usually is after tweaking his knee and ankle in the semifinal matchup, but he still managed to score 13 points and grabbed two rebounds. He also defended well, sometimes for 94 feet, and went 5-for-5 from the free throw line.
UConn had its chances. Alex Karaban led the Huskies with 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Tarris Reed Jr. added 13 points and a game-high 14 boards. Solo Ball contributed 11 points, but UConn never found offensive consistency, shooting just 30.9% from the field and 27.3% from deep. The Huskies led for just six minutes.
Despite winning the rebounding battle 46-39 and grabbing 22 offensive rebounds, the Huskies couldn’t capitalize enough, as Michigan’s defense consistently forced tough looks and limited second-chance efficiency.
The game remained tight throughout, featuring eight ties and six lead changes, but Michigan seized control midway through the second half and never let it slip away. The Wolverines led for over 30 minutes and executed when it mattered most.
In the end, it was a championship effort defined by resilience. When the shots weren’t falling, Michigan defended, rebounded, and converted at the line.
Now, the Wolverines can call themselves national champions once again, finishing the season with a performance that perfectly encapsulated their identity: tough, balanced, and built to win any kind of game.