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While last night's National Championship Game will not go down in the annals of college basketball history as an all-time classic, it did leave some lasting impressions. Ultimately, Michigan was the better team and won, though Connecticut has nothing to be ashamed of as the Huskies did a lot of things well and were right there to the very end. While other teams folded against the overwhelming Wolverines during similar situations this tournament, Connecticut did not blink and played the game at its pace and style, holding a Michigan team to just 69 points when it was scoring in the 90s all tournament long. Even in defeat, UCONN made it clear that a national championship must go through the Huskies, a testament to the coaching and culture of Head Coach Dan Hurley. For Michigan, this title was the result of Head Coach Dusty May not only constructing but properly utilizing one of the most impressive and imposing rosters, especially in the frontcourt, during this transfer portal era. Michigan looked the part all season and came through when it mattered most in March. Give credit to the Wolverines for fulfilling its promise, winning its first title since 1989 and bringing the championship back to the Big Ten for the first time since 2000. Make the jump to read my ten reactions to last night's national championship game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Connecticut Huskies.
1. Michigan Overcame Many Obstacles Last Night.
In my preview of the championship game, I wrote that a lot of things would have to go wrong for Michigan to lose to UCONN, which would have to do a lot of things right to win. Well, Michigan had a lot of things go wrong last night, a testament to Connecticut's defense and toughness. First, the Wolverines were just 2 for 15 from three, not even hitting one until nearly midway through the second half. Next, Michigan got outrebounded 46 to 39 on the boards, including 22 to 12 on the offensive boards, which is shocking given the Wolverines' size. Third, Michigan star Yaxel Lendeborg was clearly limited with his knee sprain. Somehow he played 36 minutes and finished with 13 points, even though he looked like he had no business being on the court. And yet, despite all of these problems, Michigan connected on 25 of 28 free throws, an amazing 89%, as the Wolverines were just too big and physical. In contrast, UCONN was 12 for 16 from the stripe. Having a +11 advantage in free throw makes proved to be a big difference.
Ultimately, for as talented and explosive Michigan is, the Wolverines are champions because of their defense. At the start of the second half, the Wolverines were like a pack of dogs at the rim, swarming for blocks and pushing the ball off UCONN misses. The Wolverines made things tough on UCONN star center Tarris Reed Jr. ,who battled and played hard but was clearly affected by Michigan's size. The Wolverines really made UCONN extend its wonderful offense well beyond the three-point line. During this championship run, Michigan was ultimately powered by an overwhelming defense propelling a throttling offense. When the Wolverines put the clamps down, they were pretty much unbeatable. For as talented as this team was offensively, Michigan understood and committed to the mantra, "Defense wins championships."
Ultimately, for as talented and explosive Michigan is, the Wolverines are champions because of their defense. At the start of the second half, the Wolverines were like a pack of dogs at the rim, swarming for blocks and pushing the ball off UCONN misses. The Wolverines made things tough on UCONN star center Tarris Reed Jr. ,who battled and played hard but was clearly affected by Michigan's size. The Wolverines really made UCONN extend its wonderful offense well beyond the three-point line. During this championship run, Michigan was ultimately powered by an overwhelming defense propelling a throttling offense. When the Wolverines put the clamps down, they were pretty much unbeatable. For as talented as this team was offensively, Michigan understood and committed to the mantra, "Defense wins championships."
2. Dusty May Understands the Power of Versatile Size.
Last season, May constructed a wonderful front line of Danny Wolf and Vladislav Golden. Wolf was an excellent passer who could facilitate offense while Golden could post up or hit from the mid range.When Michigan got Yaxel Lendeborg from UAB, Morez Johnson from Illinois and Aday Mara from UCLA during last season's transfer portal, it was an even more impressive haul that left me wondering which player, Johnson or Mara, would come off the bench. May had other intentions moving Lendeborg to small forward, where he was too big for his opponents, starting Johnson at power forward, where he could bang, impose his muscle and do a lot of dirty work, and having the 7'3'' Mara naturally at center, where he was just too tall and skilled. Ultimately, this killer frontline was just too imposing all season long.
When things weren't going well last night, Michigan was able to use all three of these players in a high low game resulting in easy baskets. Michigan was clearly unstoppable when it got pressure on the rim, either from post touches or penetration. Last night, Michigan's even more diverse frontline was just too much for a UCONN team that battled its heart out in the paint. Johnson had his best game of the tournament, in my opinion, playing with a high motor, running all over the court on defense, and finishing with 12 points and 10 rebounds. While not playing as much in the second half, Mara had a stretch in the first half where he got Michigan going with two quick baskets and some nice passing. During a game he went 0-for-5 from three, Lendeborg took the ball to the hole and posted up when it mattered in the second half.
As all of college basketball figured out, there was just no answer against Michigan's frontcourt this season. It will be interesting to see what May will put together down low for the Wolverines next season.
When things weren't going well last night, Michigan was able to use all three of these players in a high low game resulting in easy baskets. Michigan was clearly unstoppable when it got pressure on the rim, either from post touches or penetration. Last night, Michigan's even more diverse frontline was just too much for a UCONN team that battled its heart out in the paint. Johnson had his best game of the tournament, in my opinion, playing with a high motor, running all over the court on defense, and finishing with 12 points and 10 rebounds. While not playing as much in the second half, Mara had a stretch in the first half where he got Michigan going with two quick baskets and some nice passing. During a game he went 0-for-5 from three, Lendeborg took the ball to the hole and posted up when it mattered in the second half.
As all of college basketball figured out, there was just no answer against Michigan's frontcourt this season. It will be interesting to see what May will put together down low for the Wolverines next season.
3. Michigan's Overlooked Perimeter Proved Huge Yet Again!
All season long, Michigan got acclaim for its frontline while it's backcourt was too often forgotten. It was clear during the tournament that Most Outstanding Player (MOP) Eliot Cadeau was the key to this team, with his ability to get to the lane, pick up fouls on opponents and hit timely threes. Cadeau played with a sociopathic chip on his shoulder that was borderline dirty at times yet unrelenting in not letting Michigan let up.
Michigan does not win the title without the outstanding bench play of Trey McKenney and Roddy Gayle Jr. the past four games. While both struggled shooting last night, McKenney had a huge three and jumper late, as well as two free throws. Gayle was outstanding on defense and made a heady play at the end of the game, securing a rebound and flinging the ball down court to let time expire. McKenney and Gayle really stepped up in March after Michigan lost LJ Cason near the end of the season. They were two physical junkyard dogs who would start for most college basketball teams, a testament to Michigan's depth and versatility.
Michigan does not win the title without the outstanding bench play of Trey McKenney and Roddy Gayle Jr. the past four games. While both struggled shooting last night, McKenney had a huge three and jumper late, as well as two free throws. Gayle was outstanding on defense and made a heady play at the end of the game, securing a rebound and flinging the ball down court to let time expire. McKenney and Gayle really stepped up in March after Michigan lost LJ Cason near the end of the season. They were two physical junkyard dogs who would start for most college basketball teams, a testament to Michigan's depth and versatility.
4. UCONN Did Many Things Right, Just Didn't Hit Enough Shots.
While Michigan needed to and did have a lot of things go wrong, UCONN was the reason for the Wolverines' off game, doing a lot of things correct. For UCONN to have a chance, the Huskies needed to control pace, hit threes, get a big game from Alex Karaban and compete on the boards. UCONN was able to run clock and hit threes early, with Solo Ball finding his outside shot before being saddled with two early fouls and Karaban hitting his first two threes. After two rough offensive games in the Elite Eight and Final Four, Karaban left it all on the floor Monday night, finishing with 17 points and 11 rebounds while playing all 40 minutes. The Huskies more than competed on the boards and actually outrebounded Michigan for the game. Unfortunately for UCONN, the three-point shot was missing for much of the second half, and foul trouble was too much.
5. UCONN Will Never Have Another Alex Karaban.
The past two seasons have exposed some of Karaban's weaknesses as he was forced to have a greater offensive role. In reality, Karaban is the ultimate role player, as seen on UCONN's 2023 and 2024 title teams. Last night, Karaban stepped up when his team needed him and played with such heart, toughness and steadiness. The kid would not let his team die, whether it was stripping Johnson of the ball in the second half, driving for a difficult layup, getting an offensive board and stick back, hitting a tough three late, etc. Even though Karaban missed a difficult three with UCONN down four with under 20 seconds to go, he left it all on the court. Karaban leaves UCONN as not the greatest player in the program's storied history but its greatest winner and teammate, a warrior on the court, an extension of Hurley on the floor. Karaban is going to have a long career at the next level because he is a consummate professional. He has Oklahoma City Thunder written all over him.
6. Michigan May Be Champs, UCONN Is Still the Gold Standard.
As much as I respect Hurley as an Xs and Os coach, I just thought that UCONN would not be able to last with this dominant Michigan team. That was looking to be the case early in the second half when Michigan pulled out to an 11-point lead on a Cadeau three. While other programs have collapsed all season and tourney during such Michigan onslaughts, UCONN hardly blinked. The Huskies just kept battling and hanging in. That is a reflection of Hurley, who as unlikable as he is with his boorish behavior and sideline antics, takes all the pressure off his team, which plays so damn tough. As has been the case the past four seasons, the national title must go through UCONN, and that is not going to change with Hurley in charge.
7. Braylon Mullins Is A Ballplayer!
With Karaban gone, Ball and Mullins are next in line to carry the leadership mantle at UCONN. Mullins was truly impressive last night, even when his shot wasn't falling. He crashed the boards with fearlessness, displayed deft passing and did not blink against Michigan's bullying physicality. Mullins really understands how to play basketball and has no quit in him. Mullins should stay one more year at UCONN. If he does, he will be one of the best players in college basketball, and UCONN will be contenders once again.
8. The Officiating Left A Lot to Be Desired.
By no means did the officiating cost any team the game. Last night, the refs kept a struggling Michigan offense in the game in the first half. While Michigan was the better team, deserved to win and knocked down free throws, there was no flow to the game. With that said, it was frustrating to watch as Ball and Silas Demary Jr. picked up two quick fouls in the first half. Demary fouled out in the second half on a couple of calls against Cadeau, who hooked him on one and swung through and flopped on another. Cadeau was also allowed to initiate so much contact on drives. In the first half, the refs called Karaban for a questionable hook and hold, a rule that I really do not like, that led to a 6-0 Michigan run. It was good to see the refs not fall for Cadeau plowing through Eric Reibe at the end of the first half, trying to draw a foul on a three-pointer from half court. It was amazing UCONN was only down four at the break given that Ball and Demary sat for so much of the half.
Now don't get me wrong, UCONN was doing plenty of grabbing and holding as well. Michigan was whistled for several calls at the rim in the second half were more anticipatory than anything else. All in all, college basketball is way too physical, leading to choppy games where whistles have more of a say than players. As is the case too often in NCAA Tournaments, officials swing games with foul calls being unbalanced in halves. As a whole, basketball has become too much like football, affecting what was supposed to be a beautiful game of precision and skill and leaving an, at times, hard product to watch. It is always frustrating to go into college basketball games with the following caveat: "How are the officials going to call the game?"
Now don't get me wrong, UCONN was doing plenty of grabbing and holding as well. Michigan was whistled for several calls at the rim in the second half were more anticipatory than anything else. All in all, college basketball is way too physical, leading to choppy games where whistles have more of a say than players. As is the case too often in NCAA Tournaments, officials swing games with foul calls being unbalanced in halves. As a whole, basketball has become too much like football, affecting what was supposed to be a beautiful game of precision and skill and leaving an, at times, hard product to watch. It is always frustrating to go into college basketball games with the following caveat: "How are the officials going to call the game?"
9. Both Programs Will Be Back and Face Off Again!
Even though May is going to lose four-fifths of his starting lineup to the NBA and/or graduation, he has the NIL budget to rebuild Michigan into a juggernaut again next year. Hurley has the best program in the country and will retool as well. It feels like these two schools will be seeing each other deep in future NCAA Tournaments for years to come. Both coaches are too good at constructing and coaching their rosters.
10. Last Night Made Me Feel Better about Illinois' Final 4 Loss.
When my Fighting Illini lost to UCONN on Saturday during the Final Four, I felt like Illinois was a better team and missed a golden opportunity to advance to the title game. After getting over my emotions and seeing last night's game, specifically just how difficult UCONN made it for an all-time Michigan squad, I needed to give UCONN more credit for the defensive effort it had against the Illini. While Illinois did not have its best night, and had some unfortunate breaks, UCONN took us out of our game, just like they did to Michigan in the title game. There is never shame losing to UCONN. As frustrating as Hurley's antics are, his teams are so well-prepared and well-coached. Last night once again proved to never doubt a Hurley team, even when it seems to be a heavy underdog. UCONN will always impose its style, and Hurley will always give his teams a chance to succeed and win.
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