The Madness of March has turned into the Madness of April, as the 2026 NCAA men’s National Championship game is set for tonight. UConn will be looking to secure its seventh National Title in program history (and third in four years) when it faces Michigan, which is gunning for its second men’s basketball National crown. Below, we’ll dish out a title game betting preview.
- UConn vs. Michigan
- Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Start time: 8:50 p.m. ET
- TV: TBS, truTV, HBO Max
- Point spread: Michigan -7 (-110)
- Moneyline: UConn +240, Michigan -300
- Total: Over 146.0 (-110), Under 146.0 (-110)
Michigan’s run in this tournament has been wholly impressive as it has won each of its games by double-digits, and by an average of 21.6 points. It’s the best tournament run since Dan Hurley’s 2023-24 UConn team, which won each of their March Madness games by double-digits, and by an average of 23.3 points.
Michigan’s 91-73 dismantling of Arizona on Saturday night was eye-opening, as it was the most points Arizona allowed in a game the entire season.
UConn has allowed an opponent to reach the 90-point plateau in regulation just once this season, a 91-84 loss to Creighton on Feb. 18. The Huskies are typically an elite defensive team. UConn is 10th in the country in opponents ppg, while Michigan ranks 65th in Division I defensively (69.7).
Hurley’s bunch has struggled a bit with athletic bigs that can stretch the floor — both St. John’s Zuby Ejiofor and Duke’s Cameron Boozer enjoyed success this season against the Huskies. A major problem in this matchup for UConn is that Michigan has not one, but two 6-foot 9-inch forwards that can do damage inside and out, in Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr.. It should be noted that Lendeborg, Michigan’s leading scorer this season, suffered a low-grade MCL sprain and a low-grade ankle sprain in the Wolverines’ win over Arizona.
UConn also has one of its key players on Saturday night as starting guard Solo Ball sprained his left foot against Illinois. Like Lendeborg, Ball is expected to give it a go Monday night. Hurley though will likely give some of Ball’s minutes to Jayden Ross, a 6-foot 7-inch elite defender. Ross can also knock down shots from deep when called upon, as he went 2-for-2 from 3-point range against Illinois and 3-for-4 from 3 in the second round against UCLA.
Another fascinating storyline in this title game is UConn senior center Tarris Reed going up against Michigan, the school he played for for two seasons before transferring to Storrs. Reed has been UConn’s best player in the tournament as he’s averaging 20.8 points and 13.0 rebounds in the Big Dance.
UConn vs. Michigan spread
Michigan opened as a -7.5 favorite over the Huskies and the number is currently -7.
UConn is 17-22-0 this season against the spread (ATS), while Michigan is 19-20-0 ATS.
Both schools are 4-1-0 in this tournament ATS. The only blemish for each was their first round games, as Michigan “only” beat Howard by a score of 101-80, and UConn had to scrap for an 82-71 victory over Furman.
UConn vs. Michigan total
The UConn vs. Michigan total opened at 144.5 and is currently at 146.0.
UConn games have gone Over the total 19 times this season, and 20 have gone Under. Michigan games have gone Over 17 times this season, with 22 games going Under.
(All odds courtesy of Fanatics Sportsbook at time of publication.)
