No. 4 UConn and No. 16 Michigan will meet Friday at TD Garden in Boston in a rematch of the 2026 national championship game. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET on TNT, with streaming available on Fubo.
Projected Starting Lineups
Michigan: G Elliot Cadeau, G Trey McKenney, G Roddy Gayle Jr., F JP Estrella, C Moustapha Thiam.
UConn: G Silas Demary Jr., G Braylon Mullins, G Jayden Ross, F Nik Khamenia, C Na'jai Hines.
Key Matchups
The game features a showdown between two leading candidates for the Bob Cousy Award: Michigan's Elliot Cadeau and UConn's Silas Demary Jr. Cadeau is a playmaking point guard who prefers facilitating, while Demary is a 6-foot-5 elite on-ball defender. The frontcourt battle pits transfer big men Moustapha Thiam (Michigan) and Na'jai Hines (UConn), both expected to make immediate impacts after replacing NBA departures.
Prediction and Odds
UConn opened as a 3-point favorite; the line has moved to UConn -6. Analysts note UConn's deeper bench, including potential first-round pick Colben Landrew, while Michigan lost five-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. to a knee injury. Most experts pick UConn straight up, but the spread is considered large given the even talent level. The pick: Michigan +6.
