A clash between two titans in the Final Four: No. 1 Arizona Wildcats (36-2, 16-2 Big 12) and No. 1 Michigan Wolverines (35-3, 19-1 Big 10) were battling to reach the NCAA championship game.

Both teams defended their No. 1 seed titles with ease.

Arizona had defeated every opponent in the tournament by double-digits, showing no signs of slowing down.

Meanwhile, Michigan had been just as dominant—scoring at least 90 points in each game of the tournament so far.

The margins of victory for both teams showcase why they are the No. 1 seeds and why these two teams met in a game for the ages.

A matchup between two Naismith Coach of the Year finalists, Dusty May for Michigan, and Tommy Lloyd for Arizona, who has just recently signed an extension through 2031.

It was no surprise that both were there, given their talent and coaching.

The Wildcats featured an excellent eight-man rotation, whose depth had proven to be key to their success, with freshman Koa Peat breaking a school record last game, leading the charge.

But Michigan boasted a group just as talented, led by senior Yaxel Lendeborg (15.2 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 52.0 FG%), scoring at least 20 points in his last three games.

Even athletically, both teams matched evenly.

The Michigan frontcourt: Aday Mara (7’3, 255 lbs.) and Lendeborg (6’9, 240 lbs.).

The Arizona frontcourt: Motiejus Krivas (7’2, 260 lbs.) and Peat (6’8, 235 lbs.).

So, the two most dominant and talented teams this season—playing in the Final Four—what more could basketball fans ask for?

On Saturday, the Wolverines immediately jumped to a 10-1 lead less than three minutes into the game—even with Lendeborg on the bench with two early fouls.

Trying to prevent the lead from getting any worse, Peat sent back Eliot Cadeau’s layup attempt with a volleyball spike.

With the offense already struggling, Arizona’s turnovers weren’t doing them any favors.

Five turnovers after just eight minutes of play.

The 24-10 lead for Michigan with 10:30 left in the first half was the largest deficit of the season for Arizona.

Michigan continued to swarm defensively as McKenny chased down Brayden Burries for the block in transition; Arizona was 6-for-18 from the field.

With Lendeborg exiting the game for a possible injury, Arizona put together a 7-0 run to cut the lead to seven at 28-21.

Robert Gayle Jr. finally snapped the scoring drought for Michigan with a high-flying dunk over Krivas.

The woes continued for Arizona, with Jaden Bradley going to the bench after picking up his third foul.

A three-minute scoring drought for the Wildcats brought the Wolverine lead back to 13 at 38-25.

Michigan pushed its lead to 48-30 off a monstrous putback by Morez Johnson Jr., dunking over the Arizona defender and the foul.

The Wolverines entered the first half leading 48-32.

Cadeau engineered the offense with six assists, and Mara led the team in scoring with 15 points.

Arizona was only 12-for-32 from the field and had nine turnovers.

Even with Lendeborg off the court for the majority of the first half, Michigan continued its aggression offensively and defensively.

An uncomfortable first half for Arizona, with Michigan not allowing them to get into their game.

Concern grew for Arizona as they trailed 56-34 following Lendeborg’s second made three-pointer.

Reportedly, Tracy Wolfson, Lendeborg was dealing with a bad ankle.

Despite the setbacks, he continued to play in one of the most important games of his career.

The Wolverines were pouring it on; Cadeau dropped in the team’s sixth three-pointer of the half, and it was 72-45.

It became a dismantling of Arizona in a 91-73 loss.

The Michigan Wolverines march one step closer to an NCAA championship against the No. 2 UConn Huskies on Monday night.

All the weapons for Michigan came to play with multiple players scoring double-digits, Mara led with 26 points, followed by 16 from McKenney, 13 from Cadeau, and 11 from Lendeborg.

For Arizona fans, a deflating and bitter end to the season, coming short of their championship aspirations.

But it cannot go without saying how much of a historic—record-breaking season it was for the Wildcats.

Advancing to the Final Four for the first time since 2001, 36 wins in a single season, and many other achievements were accomplished.

The 2026 Arizona Wildcats—a season and team to remember.