The Michigan Wolverines ended a 37-year championship drought Monday night, defeating the UConn Huskies 69-63 in the NCAA men's basketball championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
The victory marked Michigan's first national title since 1989, completing a remarkable tournament run that saw them overcome one of the most dominant programs in recent college basketball history.
While the Wolverines struggled from beyond the arc, shooting a mere 2-for-13 (13.3%) from three-point range and 38.2% from the field overall, they found separation at the free-throw line. Michigan converted 25 of their 28 free throw opportunities, an impressive 89.3% clip that ultimately proved decisive.
Final Four Most Outstanding Player Elliot Cadeau delivered his highest-scoring performance of the tournament, leading all scorers with 19 points. The standout guard added three rebounds, two assists, and two steals in his championship-clinching effort.
"This moment is everything we've worked for since day one," said Cadeau after receiving his MOP trophy. "We knew we had to stay aggressive and get to the line. This team never doubted ourselves, even when shots weren't falling."
While not dominating as he normally did throughout the tournament, Yaxel Lendeborg finished with 13 points on 4-of-13 shooting, along with two rebounds, an assist, and a block. Morez Johnson Jr. recorded his second double-double of the tournament with 12 points and 10 rebounds, adding two blocks and a steal.
On the UConn side, Alex Karaban fell short of becoming just the ninth player in NCAA history to win three national championships. The senior still finished with a 17-point, 11-rebound double-double, along with two assists and two steals in his final collegiate game.
"It hurts coming up short, but I'm proud of what this team accomplished," Karaban said. "We fought until the final buzzer. Sometimes the ball just doesn't bounce your way."
Former Wolverine Tarris Reed Jr. finished with a 13-point, 14-rebound double-double against his former team, while Elite Eight hero Braylon Mullins struggled shooting, going 4-for-17 from the field and 3-for-10 from beyond the arc for 11 points.
The championship victory completes a remarkable turnaround for Michigan basketball, which hadn't reached the pinnacle of college basketball since the Glen Rice-led team cut down the nets 37 years ago. The Wolverines' ability to win despite poor shooting percentages demonstrated their resilience and adaptability throughout the tournament.
UConn's quest for back-to-back championships came up just short despite another strong tournament run. The Huskies finish the season with a 33-5 record, while Michigan concludes at 31-7 with the program's second national championship.
The victory solidifies Michigan's place among college basketball's elite programs and sets the stage for what could be another strong season as they look to defend their title in 2027.
