2026 NCAA Tournament, Final Reflections #1: The College Basketball Nostalgic's 1st, 2nd & 3rd Teams for Final 4 Teams

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After 63 games being played, with Michigan claiming the championship, the 2026 NCAA Tournament has come to an end. Now is the time to reflect upon the last three weeks, beginning with the first, second and third teams for the four schools that made the Final Four. Note: These selections are based upon my observations of these teams. They reflect how the players played not only in the Final Four but the entire NCAA Tournament. Make the jump to see my first, second and third-teams for the 2026 NCAA Tournament Final Four participants. 

The College Basketball Nostalgic's Final Four First Team 

Guard: Keaton Wagler, Illinois 
Guard: Eliot Cadeau, Michigan 
Forward: Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan (*Most Outstanding Player of the Entire NCAA Tournament)
Forward: Alex Karaban, UCONN
Center: Tarris Reed Jr., UCONN
Sixth Man: Trey McKenney, Michigan
Head Coach: Dusty May, Michigan 

Even on an injured knee in the Final Four, Lendeborg had a tremendous impact in Michigan winning the title game, gutting out 36 minutes in the final against UCONN. Prior to his injury, Lendeborg was the most unstoppable player in the entire tournament and is my MOP of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Named the MOP of the Final Four, Cadeau played with a chip all tourney long. Joining him in the backcourt is Illinois' super freshman Wagler, who managed 20 points against UCONN despite not having his most efficient game and keyed the Illini's run to the Final Four. Rounding out the starting five are UCONN's Karaban and Reed. Karaban was the emotional leader of UCONN while Reed was the Huskies' best player all tourney long. McKenney gets the nod as the sixth man as he was phenomenal from the Sweet Sixteen on. May coaches this squad as he not only masterfully constructed but managed a dominant Michigan roster. 

The College Basketball Nostalgic's Final Four Second Team 

Guard: Brayden Burries, Arizona
Guard: Braylon Mullins, UCONN
Forward: Koa Peat, Arizona
Forward: Morez Johnson Jr., Michigan 
Center: Aday Mara, Michigan 
Sixth Man: Andrej Stojakovic, Illinois 
Head Coach: Dan Hurley, UCONN

While having a rough showing against Michigan in the Final Four, Burries was Arizona's best player throughout the Wildcats' first four games, closely followed by his fellow freshman battering ram Peat. Mullins shocked the world with his three to beat Duke in the Elite Eight and played with so much toughness during the Final Four. He is a star in the making. After a dominant first-round game, Johnson was a bit uneven in his play; however, his motor in the National Championship Game was huge with Lendeborg limited. Mara shined in the Final Four victory against Arizona and picked his spots in other games. Stojakovic was instant offense and defense during the Illini's run to the Final Four, not only accepting but flourishing in his bench role. Hurley did his best coaching job yet at UCONN, taking a flawed team to the title game, where it gave Michigan all the Wolverines could handle. 

The College Basketball Nostalgic's Final Four Third Team 

Guard: Jaden Bradley, Arizona
Guard: Solo Ball, UCONN
Forward: Ivan Kharchenkov, Arizona
Forward: David Mirkovic, Illinois
Center: Tomislav Ivicic, Illinois 
Sixth Man: Roddy Gayle, Jr. Michigan (alternate: Jayden Ross, UCONN) 
Head Coach: Brad Underwood, Illinois 

The senior Bradley saved Arizona against a surging Utah State team in the second round and was a steadying leader throughout the Wildcats' run, which was bolstered by Kharchenkov's fearless play. While struggling with his shooting until the Final Four, Ball impacted the game in many areas for UCONN. With his fellow freshman Wagler, Mirkovic led the Illini to the Final Four with his all-around game while Ivisic stepped up big with five great tourney games. Gayle Jr. was an offensive and defensive force off the bench for the Wolverines and stepped up big time with L.J. Cason out. Ross deserved mentioning as he provided great defense and positional versatility off the bench for the Huskies. Underwood gets the nod before Arizona's Tommy Lloyd as his Illini were more competitive in the Final Four.