The Michigan Wolverines capped off a dominant season Monday night, defeating the UConn Huskies 69–63 to win the 2025–26 national championship. The victory gives Michigan its second title in program history and ends the Big Ten’s 26-year drought without a men’s basketball champion.
Michigan’s tournament run had been powered by explosive offense, but the championship game required a different formula. The Wolverines struggled from deep, hitting just two of their 15 three-point attempts. Instead, they relied on defense, physicality, and dominance inside to control the game. Michigan held UConn to just 31 percent shooting and won the battle in the paint while converting 25 of 28 free throws.
Point guard Elliot Cadeau led Michigan with 19 points and was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. The Wolverines’ frontcourt trio of Morez Johnson Jr., Aday Mara, and Yaxel Lendeborg added 33 points and 16 rebounds to help keep the Huskies off balance throughout the night.
UConn made things interesting late when Solo Ball banked in a three-pointer to cut the deficit to four with under 40 seconds remaining. But Michigan held on at the free-throw line to secure the victory.
The championship caps a remarkable turnaround under head coach Dusty May. Michigan went just 8-24 the season before his arrival but has gone 64-13 over the past two years. This season’s Wolverines finished 37-3, the best record in program history.
UConn’s loss ends its bid to win three national titles in four seasons, though the Huskies remain one of college basketball’s premier programs under coach Dan Hurley.