Over the last few seasons I have fallen in love with Dan Hurley and his ability to get the most out of his players year in and year out. He is beyond crazy about turning his men into champions, some might even call him psychotic. But that's what makes him great now and why he will continue to be great for many years to come. People say if you want to achieve levels of success that other people dream of you have to be delusional. In early 2020 if you told anyone that UConn would win back to back titles in '23 & '24 and would be playing for another in '26 you might have been called delusional. Hurley knew what he was capable of and that his desire to be great would rub off on his players. He has a famous quote after a loss to Villanova. He said "You better get us now because it.. it's coming." Boy was he right. I am not sure how many people in the sports world took Hurley serious when he said that, I'm sure some even laughed and doubted him. What I have seen from UConn the last 4 season has been nothing short of remarkable. Every single game is coached, played, and treated like it is the last game these guys will ever play. That determination and drive to be great and succeed is something a lot of people can learn from. If you want it, go get it. And if you want something bad enough there is nothing that can stop you from achieving that goal.
For the Huskies the only thing that stands in the way of that goal this season is a Michigan team that is yet to be held under 90 points in the tournament. That is no easy feat. The Wolverines have a coach who has the same fire and intensity comparable to Hurley. Dusty May has a confidence to him that will help him match up well to the style that he will see form Hurley. Earlier this season when Michigan traveled to East Lansing to take on the Spartans, May went out before the game and sat on the bench. He was greeted by a packed in student section calling him what ever they could think of. All May did was sit on the bench and smile. In that moment I could see that he was mentally in a head space that no one could pull him out of. No amount of boos or name calling could fluster him. Michigan took control of that game from the jump and never gave it back. That sort of mentality will be needed tonight to outlast the Huskies.
Michigan has yet to struggle this tournament while UConn has faced the exact opposite. UConn had to battle to keep the Spartans from completing a near 20 point comeback. They needed a miracle to take down the Blue Devils. Illinois took them to the final whistle. Point being UConn is battle tested, Michigan is not. Now that does not mean Michigan won't be able to beat UConn, if you give this Wolverines team an inch they will take a mile. UConn has shown the ability to overcome deficit late and hold onto early leads. Michigan has shown they will come out early and suffocate you for 40 minutes. A completely different path both teams have taken on their way to achieving the end goal, winning the last game of the season.
Let's talk predictions.
I think this game starts fast. Both team will go on 10-12 point runs in the first half before going into halftime within 3 point of each other. Who ever starts the 2nd half off the quickest will win. I think both teams have the ability to squeeze the life out of their opponent if you give them even the smallest window to do so. The first team to buckle will lose. I think that team is Michigan. Maybe it is back to back turnovers, missed lay ups, bad shot selections, or a mix of the three. UConn will grab a lead of 8-10 and not give any back. UConn wins the 2026 National Championship. Hurley gets his 3rd in 4 years and cements UConn as the favorite to win the tournament for the foreseeable future.
UConn: 79
Michigan: 71
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