Category: Basketball

Seven-foot big men do not grow on trees. Luckily for Dusty May and Michigan basketball, they do sometimes enter the NCAA transfer portal.

Such was the case with Aday Mara, who became the 2026 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in one year with the Wolverines after playing sparingly with UCLA in his first two collegiate seasons.

REQUIRED READING: Even with squeaky Yaxel, Michigan blasts Arizona in Final Four thanks to supporting cast

With star Yaxel Lendeborg dealing with an injury in the Final Four against No. 1 Arizona, it was Mara who stepped up with a career-best performance to help the Wolverines reach the national championship game.

Mara will likely be a key piece for Michigan as the Wolverines aim to win their first national championship since 1989. Heading into the national championship in March Madness, here's what you need to know about the Michigan big man:

Aday Mara 2026 NCAA Tournament stats

After a strong regular season where he posted career highs across the board, Mara has come alive for Michigan in the Men's NCAA Tournament, including a career-high 26 points in a dominant win over No. 1 Arizona in the Final Four.

Here's a look at Reed's stats during March Madness:

• vs. No. 16 Howard: 19 points (8-of-10 shooting), seven rebounds, six assists and three blocks in 21 minutes
• vs. No. 9 Saint Louis: 16 points (7-of-12 shooting), five rebounds, four blocks, five assists and a steal in 26 minutes
• vs. No. 4 Alabama: 8 points (4-of-8 shooting), five rebounds, four assists and two blocks in 27 minutes
• vs. No. 6 Tennessee: 11 points (4-of-6 shooting), four rebounds, two blocks and a steal in 18 minutes
• vs. No. 1 Arizona: 26 points (11-of-16 shooting), nine rebounds, three assists and two blocks in 30 minutes
• NCAA Tournament averages: 16.0 points (65.4% shooting), 6.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.6 blocks and 0.4 steals per game in 24.4 minutes

Aday Mara stats

Here’s a look at Mara's stats from his college career with UCLA and Michigan:

• 2025-26 (Michigan): 12.2 points per game, 2.5 assists per game, 6.8 rebounds per game, 2.6 blocks per game, 62.1% on field goals, 30% on 3-pointers, 59.6% on free throws (39 games, 38 starts)
• 2024-25 (UCLA): 6.4 points per game, 4.0 rebounds per game, 1.0 assists per game, 1.6 blocks per game, 59% on field goals, 57.7% on free throws (33 games, 1 start)
• 2023-24 (UCLA): 3.5 points per game, 1.9 rebounds per game, 0.5 steals per game, 0.7 blocks per game, 44.2% on field goals, 70% on free throws (28 games, 8 starts)

How tall is Aday Mara?

Mara is listed at 7-foot-3, 255 pounds on Michigan's website.

Aday Mara NBA draft stock, mock draft predictions

Mara is a potential option to go in Round 1 of the 2026 NBA Draft following a breakout season with Michigan during the 2025-26 college basketball season.

• Tankathon:No. 22 overall to the Atlanta Hawks (April 5)
• Yahoo!: No. 18 overall to the Oklahoma City Thunder (April 2)
• ESPN: No. 24 overall to the Philadelphia 76ers (March 11)

How old is Aday Mara?

Mara is 20 years old. He'll turn 21 on April 7, the day after the national championship game.

Aday Mara recruit ranking

• Stars: 5
• National rating: No. 15
• Position ranking: No. 3 C
• State ranking: No. 1 player from Spain

Mara was a five-star recruit who was rated as the No. 3 center and the No. 15 overall prospect in the 2023 class, according to 247Sports' rankings Mara was unranked by the 247Composite rankings.

Why did Aday Mara transfer from UCLA to Michigan?

Following two seasons at UCLA, Mara opted to transfer to Michigan from UCLA for a chance to play in a better environment. The discussion about more playing time or starting did not occur for Mara with May before he committed to the Wolverines.

"I went from a bad environment [at UCLA], where almost nobody wanted to practice, because as I said, it was a bad environment, to a great one. It was the opposite," Mara told USA TODAY Sports before the Elite Eight in Chicago.

Where is Aday Mara's hometown?

Mara is from Zaragoza, Spain. He played basketball professionally for Casademont Zaragoza in Spain before joining UConn in 2023.

Mara's father, Javier Mara, played basketball professionally in Spain, while his mother, Gely Gomez, was on Spain's women's national volleyball team.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is Aday Mara? What to know about Michigan basketball star

UConn star Tarris Reed Jr. will end his college career on Monday, April 6, against the team with whom it first began.

The senior center started his career at Michigan, where he played two seasons before transferring to Connecticut in 2024. His breakout this season as a full-time starter has been well-documented and is a huge reason for the Huskies' NCAA Tournament run.

REQUIRED READING: Dan Hurley called his shot: Tarris Reed Jr. would be X-factor for UConn Final Four run

The 6-foot-11, 265-pound interior presence is averaging 14.8 points with 8.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game this season on 61.7% shooting, although his game has stepped up a notch in March Madness. Reed is averaging 20.8 points with 13 rebounds in the NCAA Tournament and has a strong case for being the best overall player in the 68-team field so far.

Despite Reed leaving the program, Michigan still boasts one of the best frontcourts in college basketball, led by a trio of first-year transfers in Aday Mara, Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr.

Why did Reed leave Michigan? Here's what to know of his transfer after the 2023-24 season:

Why did Tarris Reed transfer from Michigan to UConn?

Reed entered the transfer portal shortly after the 2023-24 season, which was the last campaign under former coach Juwan Howard at Michigan.

It wasn't a surprise to see Reed's name in the transfer portal, especially after Michigan went 8-24 in his first full season as a collegiate starter and considering the coach who recruited him to Ann Arbor, Michigan, was fired.

"I saw Coach Juwan got fired. Definitely, I feel like it was like a no-brainer in terms of the portal," Reed said April 5 before the national championship. "I hung around Michigan for a couple of weeks, and then they announced (Dusty May) was supposed to be the coach. I talked to him multiple times. I like Coach May, and he was just being super up front with who he was bringing in, who's looking at recruiting-wise.

"So, feel like just him being honest with me, and I'm being honest with him, it was the right way. So, it was no bad blood."

UConn was also coming off back-to-back national championships, and needed a center to replace Donovan Clingan, who went No. 7 overall to Portland in the 2024 NBA Draft. Reed was an obvious fit for UConn, as he was rated a top-100 transfer portal recruit and was a former top-35 ranked prospect out of high school.

“I chose UConn for its winning culture, commitment to player development and coaching style,” Reed told On3 upon committing in 2024. “Coach Hurley’s tough coaching style is known for pushing players into uncomfortable situations, making the uncomfortable seem comfortable. UConn provides the ideal setting and coaching for me to maximize my potential both on and off the court.”

Reed had a small role as a true freshman at Michigan in 2022-23 playing behind Hunter Dickinson. He averaged 3.4 points with 3.9 rebounds per game before becoming the full-time starter as a sophomore, raising his per-game totals to nine points with 7.2 rebounds a game.

Reed started one game last season at UConn, although he averaged 19.9 points per game. His game rose to a new level in 2025-26, which Michigan State coach Tom Izzo noticed while preparing for MSU's loss to UConn in the Sweet 16.

“His game has taken a monstrous jump,” Izzo said of the former Michigan State rival. “And with that size, that’s gonna be something. … Reed has gotten better and better and better. And he’s been a monster.”

Tarris Reed on playing Michigan, his former school

Reed expects the national championship game against Michigan, his former team, to be heated, as any national title match would be.

"I know a couple guys on the team," Reed said, "but I feel like at the end of the day it's the game for the national championship game, so I feel like they're going to be coming at my neck, we're going to be coming at their neck, so it's going to be a great, fun bloodbath and just a competitive game."

Only three players remain at Michigan from Reed's time there — Nimari Burnett, Will Tschetter and walk-on Harrison Hochberg. Burnett and Reed became close friends as Wolverines teammates and said they caught up at a Final Four fan event.

"Seeing that big smile on his face that he always carries, and having a chance to play against him knowing the story that we had two years ago is amazing," Burnett told reporters on April 5.

Tarris Reed stats

Here are Reed's year-by-year, per-game averages in college basketball:

• 2022-23 (Michigan): 3.4 points with 3.9 rebounds and 0.1 assists per game on 51.7% shooting
• 2023-24 (Michigan): 9.0 points with 7.2 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game on 51.9% shooting
• 2024-25 (UConn): 9.6 points with 7.3 rebounds with 1.0 assists per game on 67% shooting
• 2025-26 (UConn): 14.8 points with 8.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game on 61.7% shooting

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why did Tarris Reed transfer from Michigan to UConn? What to know

The men’s college basketball season comes to a close Monday night with two accomplished programs set to square off for the 2026 NCAA national championship at the Final Four in Indianapolis.

In this corner, we have a potent Michigan squad that dominated the loaded Big Ten during the regular season and has seemingly flipped the switch to activate juggernaut mode in the NCAA tournament. The Wolverines hope to hoist a second championship banner and overcome a history of championship game disappointments.

Then there’s UConn, the most successful March Madness operation of the 2020’s thus far. The Huskies have already called upon some tourney magic to reach this point and are now seeking a third title in four years and seventh overall.

PREDICTIONS: Our picks for Michigan-Connecticut title game

PORTAL KING: How Dusty May built Michigan basketball into this behemoth

Here’s all you need to know about how, when, and whom to watch.

No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 2 Connecticut

Time/TV: 8:49 p.m. ET, TNT

If you’re a casual observer hoping to see a competitive event, there’s a strong possibility you’ll be disappointed given what we’ve witnessed over the last couple of weeks from the Wolverines. Their well-oiled offensive machine has made them the first team in tournament history to crack 90 points in their first five games. Michigan’s biggest concern is the health of standout forward Yaxel Lendeborg, but even if his minutes are limited by his bad left knee he will make the most of his time on the court. Meanwhile, Elliot Cadeau has been able to control the action on the floor even with a majority of his own shots not falling, and Aday Mara has dominated the paint on both ends. Those performances in turn have allowed Morez Johnson Jr. to orchestrate some spectacular finishes at the rim and helped emerging star Trey McKenney find open looks from the arc.

The Wolverines can be beaten – they’re not undefeated after all –, and UConn is capable of it if a lot of things go right. First and foremost, the Huskies have to hit three-pointers. Braylon Mullins seems to have worked through his mini slump, but now Solo Ball and Alex Karaban must do the same. Another thing the Huskies must do is win the turnover battle. Their relentless ball pressure is effective against many opponents, but Michigan’s experienced handlers will be ready for it. Finally, Tarris Reed and Co. will at least have to hold their own for the Huskies on the glass and not allow Michigan to generate second-chance points.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: March Madness games today: Michigan, Connecticut clash leads schedule

When Connecticut basketball announced its return to the Big East ahead of the 2019-2020 season, it was a moment that signified the return of one of the original members and powerhouses of the conference.

It came at a time when relative newcomer Dan Hurley was working on bringing the winning culture and toughness of the Jim Calhoun era back, and was trying to find the right players to execute his vision and playbook.

Since then, in spite of his lone losing record at UConn in his first season, Hurley has not just restored those two things. He's returned the program to its national prominence. ... And has done it at an exceptional level.

REQUIRED READING: Is UConn a blue blood? Huskies may be the bluest. Ranking college basketball's top programs

Hurley has the Huskies sitting in the Men's NCAA Tournament title game for the third time in the last four seasons on April 6 vs. No. 1 Michigan. It's a level of work by Hurley that had former Auburn coach Bruce Pearl saying he's doing "stuff that John Wooden did" on TNT after UConn's Final Four win over No. 3 Illinois on April 4.

Should the Huskies be able to stop the Wolverines, the No. 1 team in KenPom, inside Lucas Oil Stadium, it'd be a remarkable and historic feat for the program, since not many Division I men's college basketball programs have done what they'll look to do in a four year span.

Here's what to know on UConn's national championship titles:

How many national championships does UConn men's basketball have?

UConn has won six national championships in men's basketball, with three of them coming under Calhoun, who is responsible for the Huskies' initial rise to a powerhouse program inside the Big East and the country.

The Huskies' first men's national championship came in 1999, when Calhoun's squad defeated Duke 77-74 inside Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. Richard Hamilton finished with 27 points against the Blue Devils, which featured NBA talent in Trajan Langdon and Elton Brand. To get to the finals, the Huskies defeated Ohio State in the national semifinals, the first Final Four in program history.

Calhoun would lead the program to two more national titles in 2004 and 2011, with the latter coming during the Kemba Walker postseason run that featured a famous step-back jumper in the Big East Tournament championship vs. No. 3 Pitt.

UConn's last two national championships under Hurley in 2023 and 2024 have made the Big East responsible for four of the last nine Men's March Madness titles heading into Monday's game.

Here's a breakdown of when the Huskies have won the Men's NCAA Tournament:

• 1999: beat Duke, 77-74
• 2004: beat Georgia Tech, 82-73
• 2011: beat Butler, 53-41
• 2014: beat Kentucky, 60-54
• 2023: beat San Diego State, 76-59
• 2024: beat Purdue, 75-60

UConn basketball record in Men's NCAA Tournament national championship game

UConn is an impressive 6-0 in the Men's NCAA Tournament national championship game. The Huskies are 2-0 in the title game under Dan Hurley.

Which team has most NCAA Tournament national championships?

UConn is tied for the third-most Men's NCAA Tournament titles with North Carolina at six. Only UCLA and Kentucky have more national titles than the Huskies.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: UConn men's basketball national championships: Huskies looking to add

Both Michigan and UConn are banged up entering the national championship game on Monday, April 6.

Wolverines star Yaxel Lendeborg, a first-team All-American this season, was limited to 14 minutes in Michigan's Final Four win over Arizona after suffering a knee injury in the first half. He also re-aggravated his ankle, stemming from earlier in the season in the Big Ten Conference Tournament.

Meanwhile, multi-year starting UConn guard Solo Ball's status is also unknown. Ball was seen with a boot on his foot during April 5's walkthrough, and coach Dan Hurley said he was unavailable for practice.

REQUIRED READING: Michigan vs UConn prediction, spread: Who is favored to win national championship?

Both teams could look a bit different when they square off at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, or at least less than 100% healthy for the final game of the season.

Here's a look at our six most important players for the national championship between No. 1 seed Michigan and No. 2 UConn:

Most important players of Michigan vs UConn national championship game

Yaxel Lendeborg

In one way or another, Lendeborg's presence will be felt — or it won't.

The 6-foot-9 forward was one of the best players in college basketball this season, averaging 15.1 points with 6.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game after transferring from UAB. While Michigan still defeated Arizona 91-73 in the Final Four without Lendeborg only playing 14 minutes, the Wolverines are still — obviously — a much better team with Lendeborg in the fold.

Lendeborg was playing his best basketball heading into the Final Four, with consecutive performances of 25, 23 and 27 points against Saint Louis, Alabama and Tennessee respectively. He might not be as mobile against UConn as in prior NCAA Tournament games but can potentially still impact the game old-head style.

"He played the second half like a 38-year-old at the YMCA, and a really good 38-year-old at the YMCA," Michigan coach Dusty May said April 5. "Whatever version of Yaxel we get it's going to be somebody that helps us play better basketball."

Tarris Reed Jr.

UConn's offense runs through Tarris Reed Jr., a who has an argument as the most impactful player in the NCAA Tournament this season. The 6-foot-11 center is also facing his former team, adding potential fuel to the fire.

The first-year Huskies starter is averaging 14.8 points with 8.8 rebounds per game, although those totals have jumped to 20.8 points with 13 rebounds per contest in March Madness. He outdueled likely national player of the year Cameron Boozer and top-seeded Duke in the Elite Eight, finishing with a ridiculous stat line of 26 points with nine rebounds, three assists, four blocks and two steals on 10-of-16 shooting.

It's hard to imagine UConn having a path to winning without Reed.

Aday Mara

Aday Mara saved his career-best performance for a perfect time against Arizona in the Final Four, scoring a career-high 26 points with nine rebounds, three assists and two blocks on 11-of-16 shooting.

The 7-foot-3 first-year transfer from UCLA will be tasked with stopping Reed, who has been a force to be reckoned with during the NCAA Tournament. Mara vs. Reed will be a strength-vs.-strength matchup for Michigan and UConn.

Solo Ball

Ball has been one of UConn's most-reliable 3-pointer shooters for three seasons, but the veteran starter could potentially miss the national championship due to injury.

The 6-foot-4 junior is a vital part of the Huskies' offense and is attempting 9.4 3-pointers per game in March Madness. Losing Ball would be a huge blow and would put added pressure on true freshman Braylon Mullins and fourth-year starter Alex Karaban, UConn's other top 3-point shooters.

"I'm just listening to the medical staff," Ball said when asked if he'll play Monday night against Michigan. "I've been preparing and doing rehab already. So definitely just preparing the same way as (if) I'm playing."

Alex Karaban

Alex Karaban is the "best babysitter," according to coach Dan Hurley. The fourth-year starter has been with the program for five years after redshirting as a true freshman, and is looking for third national championship as a player.

The NCAA Tournament's all-time wins leader among players is 3-of-18 shooting in UConn's last two wins over Duke and Illinois, and the Huskies will need its leader for their best shot at Michigan.

The 6-foot-8 wing stepped up and made a huge shot in UConn's upset win over Duke in the Elite Eight, although the 3-pointer to pull within two points with under a minute left was overshadowed by Braylon Mullins' heroic game-winning 3-pointer. Mr. UConn will be relied on in his final collegiate game.

Elliot Cadeau

A former five-star recruit, Michigan point guard Elliot Cadeau didn't live up to his potential in two seasons at North Carolina. The junior has been outstanding for the Wolverines in March Madness, though.

The 6-foot-1 guard is averaging an NCAA Tournament-leading 8.6 assists per game, serving as an offensive hub for Michigan's potent attack. He's also averaging 11 points per game and shooting 40.7% from 3-point range, and could be asked for more responsibility if Lendeborg is limited due to injury.

Regardless, the ball will be in his hands a lot in the national championship game.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Michigan vs UConn national championship game most important players

Dan Hurley is on the doorstep of history.

The Connecticut men's basketball coach could make history with another win on Monday, April 6, against No. 1 Michigan in the national championship game of the 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament.

REQUIRED READING: NCAA championship game predictions: AI picks winner of UConn vs Michigan

Hurley led the Huskies to back-to-back national titles in 2023 and 2024, pushing UConn to six titles in program history (all of which occurred from 1999-onward). If he wins another, he would join a short list of elite men's college basketball coaches to win at least three NCAA championships.

Here's what you need to know about coaches who have won at least three national titles in NCAA history:

How many coaches have won three NCAA championships?

Sixteen NCAA coaches have at least two NCAA titles during their coaching careers, which includes Hurley. However, only six coaches have ever won more than three national championships during their careers.

The list that Hurley is looking to join includes UCLA's John Wooden; Duke's Mike Krzyzewski; Kentucky's Adolph Rupp; North Carolina's Roy Williams; UConn's Jim Calhoun; and Indiana's Bob Knight. Rupp was the first to achieve the feat in 1951, with Williams the most recent three-time national champion following the Tar Heels' 2017 championship.

With a win on Monday, Hurley would tie Calhoun with three titles, the most in Huskies' program history.

Men's college basketball coaches with most national championships

Here's a look at the list of NCAA men's college basketball coaches with the most national championships. Of note, current St. John's coach Rick Pitino is not on the list after having his second title, with Louisville, in 2013 vacated by the NCAA.

• 1. John Wooden, 10 (UCLA)
• 2. Mike Krzyzewski, 5 (Duke)
• 3. Adolph Rupp, 4 (Kentucky)
• T-4. Bob Knight, 3 (Indiana)
• T-4. Roy Williams, 3 (North Carolina)
• T-4. Jim Calhoun, 3 (UConn)
• T-7. Dan Hurley, 2 (UConn)
• T-7. Billy Donvoan, 2 (Florida)
• T-7. Denny Crum, 2 (Louisville)
• T-7. Henry Iba, 2 (Oklahoma State)
• T-7. Ed Jucker, 2 (Cincinnati)
• T-7. Branch McCracken, 2 (Indiana)
• T-7. Dean Smith 2, (North Carolina)
• T-7. Phil Wollpert, 2 (San Francisco)
• T-7. Jay Wright, 2 (Villanova)
• T-7. Bill Self, 2 (Kansas)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How many coaches have won three or more national championships?

The national championship game of the 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament between No. 1 Michigan and No. 2 Connecticut will have a lot on the line.

Obviously, the biggest thing on the line will be who wins the national title for the 2025-26 men's college basketball season. But, while a title would be significant for both programs, not all national championships are created equal: A win would mean something different for the Huskies as opposed to the Wolverines.

REQUIRED READING: Yaxel Lendeborg is best player in Final Four. Toughest, too. | Opinion

A win for the Huskies would cement them as a modern-day dynasty and move them further up the list of all-time national championship winners, while the Wolverines would break a historic title drought for the Big Ten Conference while becoming one of only a few programs to win multiple championships.

Ahead of their national championship meeting, here's a look at which programs have the most national titles in NCAA Tournament history:

Who has the most March Madness national titles?

UCLA leads all Division I men's basketball programs, with 11 championships. The Bruins' last championship came in 1995, when they defeated Arkansas 89-78.

The vast majority of UCLA's championships came under John Wooden between 1964 and 1975, when the program held a chokehold on the sport by winning 10 national titles in 12 seasons. That included a window of seven straight championships between 1967 and 1973.

Teams with most NCAA championships

While UCLA has the most national championships, Kentucky is a close second, with eight national titles. UConn enters its championship game appearance vs. Michigan with six championships, putting it in a tie for third with North Carolina.

Here's a look at the men's programs with the most NCAA Tournament national championships:

• 1. UCLA, 11 (1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1995)
• 2. Kentucky, 8 (1948, 1949, 1951, 1958, 1978, 1996, 1998, 2012)
• T-3. UConn, 6 (1999, 2004, 2011, 2014, 2023, 2024)
• T-3. UNC, 6 (1957, 1982, 1993, 2005, 2009, 2017)
• T-5. Duke, 5 (1991, 1992, 2001, 2010, 2015)
• T-5. Indiana, 5 (1940, 1953, 1976, 1981, 1987)
• 7. Kansas, 4 (1952, 1988, 2008, 2022)
• T-8. Villanova, 3 (1985, 2016, 2018)
• T-8. Florida, 3 (2006, 2007, 2025)
• T-10. Louisville 2* (1980, 1986)
• T-10. Michigan State (1979, 2000)
• T-10. Cincinnati (1961, 1962)
• T-10. North Carolina State (1974, 1983)
• T-10. Oklahoma State (1945, 1946)
• T-10. San Francisco (1955, 1956)

* Does not include Louisville's 2013 national championship, which was vacated by the NCAA

NCAA Tournament champions by year

Here's a look at the year-by-year NCAA Tournament national champions in men's basketball, since 2006. The full list can be found here:

• 2025: Florida defeats Houston, 65-63
• 2024: UConn defeats Purdue, 75-60
• 2023: UConn defeats San Diego State, 76-59
• 2022: Kansas defeats North Carolina, 72-69
• 2021: Baylor defeats Gonzaga, 86-70
• 2020: Canceled due to COVID-19
• 2019: Virginia defeats Texas Tech, 85-77, OT
• 2018: Villanova defeats Michigan, 79-62
• 2017: North Carolina defeats Gonzaga, 71-65
• 2016: Villanova defeats North Carolina, 77-74
• 2015: Duke defeats Wisconsin, 6-63
• 2014: UConn defeats Kentucky, 60-54
• 2013: Louisville defeats Michigan, 82-76 *
• 2012: Kentucky defeats Kansas, 67-59
• 2011: UConn defeats Butler, 53-41
• 2010: Duke defeats Butler, 61-59
• 2009: North Carolina defeats Michigan State, 89-72
• 2008: Kansas defeats Memphis, 75-68, OT
• 2007: Florida defeats Ohio State, 84-75
• 2006: Florida defeats UCLA, 73-57

* vacated by NCAA

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Which team has most NCAA championships? Ranking March Madness title winners

There will be a new men's basketball champion in 2026 — or, at least, there won't be a repeat champion.

Following the conclusion of the Final Four national semifinal games, the 2026 Men's NCAA Tournamentnational championship game will feature No. 1 seed Michigan — looking for its second-ever NCAA Tournament title and first since 1989 — and No. 2 seed UConn, which is aiming for its third in four seasons under coach Dan Hurley.

REQUIRED READING: Yaxel Lendeborg is best player in Final Four. Toughest, too. | Opinion

Regardless of who wins between the Wolverines, college basketball was guaranteed a new champion this season as early as the first weekend of March Madness, when last year's national champion was shocked with a second-round exit.

Here's what you need to know about who won the 2025 men's national championship, who has the most championships and past champions:

Who won NCAA championship last year?

Florida won the 2025 Men's NCAA Tournament national championship last season. The Gators defeated Kelvin Sampson's Houston 65-63 in the championship round at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

The Gators also defeated No. 16 Norfolk State (95-69), No. 8 UConn (77-75), No. 4 Maryland (87-71) and No. 3 Texas Tech (84-79) in their path to the 2025 Final Four. Florida defeated No. 1 Auburn 79-73 in the national semifinal.

The Gators entered the 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament having won the SEC regular season championship and earning a No. 1 seed in March Madness for the second straight season. The Gators opened March Madness with a dominant win over No. 16 seed Prairie View A&M (114-55) in the South Region.

However, No. 9 seed Iowa bounced Florida in the second round, 73-72, on a game-winning shot by Alvaro Folgueiras. The Gators had a shot at their own buzzer-beater, but ran out of time when guard Xavien Lee attempted to get to the basket and find one of his big men for a layup down low.

Todd Golden and Co. were seeking to become just the second program in NCAA history to repeat twice after winning national championships in 2006 and 2007.

REQUIRED READING: Braylon Mullins keeps hitting big shots for UConn in Final Four win

Most men's NCAA championships

UCLA leads all men's programs with 11 NCAA Tournament championships, the last of which came in 1995. Kentucky is No. 2 all time with eight titles, while UConn is tied with North Carolina with six (all of which came from 1999 onward).

Here's a look at the men's programs with the most NCAA Tournament national championships:

• 1. UCLA, 11 (1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1995)
• 2. Kentucky, 8 (1948, 1949, 1951, 1958, 1978, 1996, 1998, 2012)
• T-3. UConn, 6 (1999, 2004, 2011, 2014, 2023, 2024)
• T-3. UNC, 6 (1957, 1982, 1993, 2005, 2009, 2017)
• T-5. Duke, 5 (1991, 1992, 2001, 2010, 2015)
• T-5. Indiana, 5 (1940, 1953, 1976, 1981, 1987)
• 7. Kansas, 4, (1952, 1988, 2008, 2022)
• T-8. Villanova (1985, 2016, 2018)
• T-8. Florida (2006, 2007, 2025)

REQUIRED READING: Michigan overcomes Yaxel Lendeborg injury in Final Four demolition of Arizona

NCAA Tournament champions by year

Here's a look at the year-by-year NCAA Tournament national champions in men's basketball, since 2006. The full list can be found here:

• 2025: Florida defeats Houston, 65-63
• 2024: UConn defeats Purdue, 75-60
• 2023: UConn defeats San Diego State, 76-59
• 2022: Kansas defeats North Carolina, 72-69
• 2021: Baylor defeats Gonzaga, 86-70
• 2020: Canceled due to COVID-19
• 2019: Virginia defeats Texas Tech, 85-77, OT
• 2018: Villanova defeats Michigan, 79-62
• 2017: North Carolina defeats Gonzaga, 71-65
• 2016: Villanova defeats North Carolina, 77-74
• 2015: Duke defeats Wisconsin, 6-63
• 2014: UConn defeats Kentucky, 60-54
• 2013: Louisville defeats Michigan, 82-76
• 2012: Kentucky defeats Kansas, 67-59
• 2011: UConn defeats Butler, 53-41
• 2010: Duke defeats Butler, 61-59
• 2009: North Carolina defeats Michigan State, 89-72
• 2008: Kansas defeats Memphis, 75-68, OT
• 2007: Florida defeats Ohio State, 84-75
• 2006: Florida defeats UCLA, 73-57

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who won 2025 Men's NCAA Tournament championship? NCAA championship history

Michigan star Yaxel Lendeborg is dealing with multiple injuries heading into the national championship game against Connecticut on Monday, April 6.

The first-team All-American forward and Big Ten Player of the Year was held to 14 minutes in the Wolverines' 91-73 dominant win over Arizona in the Final Four, as he dealt with ankle and knee injuries that were re-aggravated in the first half against the Wildcats.

REQUIRED READING: Michigan overcomes Yaxel Lendeborg injury in Final Four demolition of Arizona

Lendeborg, a first-year transfer from UAB, was the most sought-after transfer portal recruit last season and he has proved it in 2025-26. The 6-foot-9 forward is averaging 15.1 points with 6.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game this season, and his points-per-game average has risen to 19 points per contest in the NCAA Tournament.

Lendeborg returned late in the second half of Michigan's win, and will spend the next day preparing for his final collegiate game.

Here's everything to know of Lendeborg's injury before the national championship game:

Will Yaxel Lendeborg play vs UConn in national championship game?

Lendeborg is dealing with a sprained MCL and a tweaked ankle, which he has been playing with since the Big Ten Conference Tournament. He said he will play against UConn in the national championship game, although likely not at 100%.

"I'm sure he'll give it a go tomorrow, but that'd be entirely up to him and the medical staff," Michigan coach Dusty May said April 5.

Lendeborg explained what happened on the play after the game on April 4, and also said he's playing no matter what.

"I tried to go up for a dunk in between three people like a dummy," Lendeborg told CBS Sports after the game. "I stepped on (Arizona forward Motiejus) Krivas' foot, turned (and) felt the pain right away. My knee, at worst is like an MCL sprain. ... My ankle got re-rolled, so that's bothering me a little bit.

"But I'm going to feel good, I'm going to do a lot to work on it and I'm playing on Monday for sure, no matter what."

Yaxel Lendeborg injury update

Lendeborg exited the floor and entered the locker room with 8:51 in the first half against Arizona after injuring his knee and ankle. He didn't return for the first half but did start the second half with a brace on his knee, playing 14 total minutes.

Lendeborg, a projected first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, said his agent and his mom both said he should sit out the first half, but he declined. His imaging and MRI came back clear after testing on April 5.

When Lendeborg returned in the second half, he was clearly hobbled. May said whatever version of Lendeborg they get still makes the Wolverines a better team, though.

"He played the second half like a 38-year-old at the YMCA, and a really good 38-year-old at the YMCA," May said. "Whatever version of Yaxel we get it's going to be somebody that helps us play better basketball."

Yaxel Lendeborg stats

Here are Lendeborg's per-game averages in 2025-26, along with his final stats from each of Michigan's NCAA Tournament wins this season:

• 2025-26: 15.1 points with 6.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game on 52.3% shooting

NCAA Tournament

• vs. No. 16 Howard: 9 points with 4 rebounds and 4 assists on 40% shooting
• vs. No. 9 Saint Louis: 25 points with 6 rebounds and 2 assists on 69.2% shooting
• vs. No. 4 Alabama: 23 points with 12 rebounds and 7 assists on 66.7% shooting
• vs. No. 6 Tennessee: 27 points with 7 rebounds and 4 assists on 52.6% shooting
• vs. No. 1 Arizona: 11 points with 3 rebounds and 1 assist on 75% shooting

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will Yaxel Lendeborg play in national championship game for Michigan?

Remember, at the beginning of this NBA season, when people compared Cooper Flagg to Andrei Kirilenko, also known as AK-47?

Kirilenko was an athletic defensive star, and many people thought that is where Flagg would end up.

Well, not so much.

He’s an excellent defender, as promised, but has also emerged as an offensive star. In the last two games, he has scored 96 points, and shot a collective 33-57, or 57.8%. He’s also shot 8-15 on his threes for 53.3%.

On Sunday night, Flagg followed up his 51-point game against Orlando with a near triple-double against the Los Angeles Lakers: Flagg had 45 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists.

He is the first rookie to have back-to-back 40-point games since Allen Iverson did it in 1997.

This comes near the end of the season as the league is witnessing an amazing Rookie of the Year race between Flagg and his former Duke teammate, Kon Knueppel, and it’s a great way for Flagg to put a bow on his season as it winds down.

You know what would make this story even better?

Co-Rookies of the year.

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INDIANAPOLIS – Shove over, Duke. There’s a new team in men’s college basketball that everyone loves to hate.

If there was any debate UConn is the game’s new villain, that chorus of boos raining down on Dan Hurley after his team reached its third NCAA title game in four years erased all doubt. UConn has become a team only UConn fans can love.

And, depending on the outcome of the game, maybe not even them!

“When we lose a game, our fans are so brutal on social that — and obviously I'm disliked by a number of different programs. When we lose, the celebration that goes on and the mocking, that's kind of like a loud external,” Hurley said Sunday, April 5.

Can UConn beat Michigan? Huskies have a better chance than you think

Is UConn a blue blood? Huskies may be the bluest. Ranking MBB's top programs

Don’t sell Hurley and the Huskies short. They’ve earned their position atop the hate-meter.

Hurley off the court is nothing like the maniac he is on the court. He’s not condescending like Jim Boeheim was and he doesn’t have the arrogance of Mike Krzyzewski.

But if he’s not coaching your team, Hurley is going to rub you like sandpaper with his yelling at the refs, snarking about officiating and ignoring the boundaries of the coach’s box.

Thus, those boos after UConn beat Illinois in the Final Four.

“I don’t know why they’re booing,” Hurley said, tongue in cheek.

Of course he does.

If Hurley was just some obnoxious coach, it would generate yawns or “this guy again” eye rolls. But Hurley and his team are really, really good. Like historically good. Especially at this time of year.

And that’s what really sets people off.

College basketball has undergone so many seismic changes in the past decade that anyone watching has at least a mild case of whiplash. There are no constants, no continuity. Even Duke doesn’t seem quite so smarmy these days, going more than a decade without a title and losing to UConn in the Elite Eight in such shocking fashion that you almost felt sorry for the Dukies.

I said almost. Let’s not get carried away.

Yet UConn has been impervious to the turmoil. By winning their second consecutive title in 2024, the Huskies joined Duke (1991 and 1992) and Florida (2006 and 2007) as the only repeat champions since 1973.

Now UConn and those early-90s Dukies are the only teams to get three cracks at the title in four years since John Wooden’s heyday.

UConn is 18-3 in the NCAA tournament since 2021, and its 13-1 overall record in the Final Four is the best in tournament history. At 20-5, Hurley’s record in the tournament is third behind only Phil Woolpert and that Wooden guy.

Should UConn beat Michigan, Karaban will be the only non-UCLA player to win three NCAA titles.

“They have championship DNA,” Michigan coach Dusty May said. “This run they're on is one of the best — probably the best since John Wooden.”

But success has a very short shelf life in American sports. The only thing fans root for more than the dominance of a dynasty is seeing that dynasty get its comeuppance.

The New England Patriots. The New York Yankees. The Kansas City Chiefs. UConn’s women. We love to see them win and we root for them to lose.

And now Hurley and his UConn program have joined the ranks of the reviled.

“People don't necessarily want to see the same team win over and over again. And what coach Hurley's been able to do these last four years has been incredible and it's just adding to the history of college basketball,” senior forward Alex Karaban said.

“A lot of people don't want to see the Chiefs playing in the Super Bowl again. That’s kind of like the example that coach used for us, too,” he added. “People don't want to keep seeing the same team win, but why does that matter with us? We want to keep winning.”

That’s the thing with villains or bullies. The only way to stop them is to shut them down.

Until then, you can boo Hurley and UConn all you want. They’ll be too busy winning to care.

Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: UConn basketball's success makes Huskies latest team you love to hate

Michigan laid waste to Arizona. So much for the de facto national championship game. That semifinal was an annihilation game.

The No. 1 Wolverines enter the national title game against No. 2 UConn as a clear favorite.

Here are five reasons Michigan will win — and one reason it won’t:

Michigan vs UConn prediction, spread: Who is favored to win national championship?

Five reasons Michigan will beat UConn to win national championship

1. Nobody looks better than Michigan in this tournament

UConn has been playing well since halftime of the Duke game, but nobody has looked more dominant than Michigan throughout this entire tournament. The Wolverines won their past five games by an average margin of 21.6 points, with no game closer than a 13-point margin against Alabama in the Sweet 16.

In wins against Arizona and Tennessee, Michigan left no doubt by halftime as to which direction the game was headed. The Wolverines did it against Arizona despite star player Yaxel Lendeborg barely playing in the first half because of foul trouble and injury.

UConn can’t expect to rally against Michigan the way it did against Duke.

2. Wolverines have sufficient experience

Old teams win in March Madness. That’s a cliché for a reason — because it plays out time and again. Duke’s young team wilted in the second half against UConn. Arizona started three freshman in the semifinal loss to Michigan. You saw how that went.

Michigan’s national title hopes don’t rest on the shoulders of teenagers. The Wolverines start two seniors, two juniors and a sophomore. They’ve got ample depth, too, which became apparent and impressive while they established a commanding lead against Arizona even without Lendeborg on the court.

3. Michigan’s frontcourt is big and dominant

The length and wingspan of Michigan center Aday Mara is so extreme, he can almost dunk without ever leaving the floor.

The size of Michigan’s starting frontcourt goes like this: 7-3. 6-9. 6-9.

Nobody can match that. These aren’t big stiffs, either. The 6-9 Lendeborg went 3 for 3 from 3-point range against Arizona. He’s a good assist man, too.

UConn center Tarris Reed Jr. — he’s 6-11 — came up big in the Final Four win against Illinois. The Huskies will need Reed to be at his best against Michigan, but he’ll need help, too.

Dan Hurley called his shot: Tarris Reed Jr. would be X-factor for Final Four run

4. Michigan plays tough defense

Somewhat lost in the fact that Michigan has topped 90 points in every game of the tournament is the fact that the Wolverines play tough defense. Arizona shot just 37% against Michigan.

Analytics guru Ken Pomeroy ranks the Wolverines No. 4 nationally for offensive metrics.

And, Michigan’s defensive rating? No. 1.

5. Michigan plays with winning attitude

This team is locked in and playing with swagger and guts. The Wolverines showed against Arizona they’re about more than one man, winning big on a night when the team’s star, Lendeborg, played only 14 minutes.

Fact is, they have multiple stars. They’re sufficiently battle tested, having faced one of the nation’s toughest schedules. In Dusty May, they have one of the nation’s best coaches on the sideline.

Simply put, the Wolverines just believe they should win. And, so, they do.

One reason Michigan won’t beat UConn

Taking down a dynasty is tough work

Michigan is the nation’s best team, but UConn is a dynasty, and dynasties are difficult to topple. Ask Duke.

UConn can match Michigan’s experience, and its winning attitude.

As Huskies coach Dan Hurley put it after UConn rallied against Duke, “We just believe we’re supposed to win this time of year.”

They usually do.

UConn’s 3-point shot can be an equalizer, too, if the Huskies get hot. They made 12 3-pointers against Illinois, after going 9 of 21 from distance in a Sweet 16 win against Michigan State.

UConn needs Reed to be tough on the interior and for Alex Karaban, Braylon Mullins, Solo Ball and Silas Demary Jr. to get their 3-point shots falling.

Blake Toppmeyer is a columnist for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 5 reasons Michigan basketball will beat UConn for national championship

Teenage rookie Cooper Flagg continued his superb run of form by scoring 45 points as the Dallas Mavericks beat the Los Angeles Lakers 134-128 on Sunday.

The 19-year-old had made history on Saturday when he became the first teenager to score 50 points in an NBA game - finishing with 51 points, including 24 in the fourth quarter, in a defeat by the Orlando Magic.

He followed up with a 45-point haul in the win over the injury-hit Lakers, adding nine assists and eight rebounds.

Flagg is the first rookie with back-to-back 40-point games since Allen Iverson in 1997, and is among the favourites to be named this season's rookie of the year.

The Mavericks started quickly against the Lakers, who were missing both the NBA's leading scorer Luka Doncic and rising star Austin Reaves, and were 41-30 up at the end of the first quarter.

LeBron James, 41, led the Lakers with 30 points, 15 assists and nine rebounds, while Luke Kennard had 15 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists.

PJ Washington scored 15 points for the Mavericks, Naji Marshall and Brandon Williams added 13 points, and Klay Thompson scored three three-pointers in his 11-point haul.

Lakers coach JJ Redick it was a "just a poor defensive night" for his side, adding: "We didn't start the game the right way and just played catch-up the rest of the game."

The Lakers are third in the Western Conference, with the 12th-placed Mavericks already out of play-off contention.

BOSTON — Nikola Vučević rejoined the Boston Celtics for Easter Sunday’s matchup against the Toronto Raptors. That was the plan, set nearly a month ago when he underwent surgery to stabilize his fractured right finger on March 7.

At that time, Vučević had logged 12 appearances since being acquired at February’s trade deadline. He played less than two minutes during Jayson Tatum’s return on March 6 against the Dallas Mavericks and ended up sidelined for nearly a month. While watching from the bench, there was little concern about how Vučević would mesh with the team once he returned.

“He just wants to win,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said after Boston’s 115-101 win over Toronto. “He’s been in the league a long time. If anything, making sure he’s aggressive enough to where we have the best version of him, so we could add another layer to what we want to accomplish, is the most important thing.”

Vučević played 13 minutes against the Raptors, checking in for Neemias Queta with 4:57 in the first quarter. He took just five shots, finishing with four points, missing both of his two 3-point attempts, and grabbing four rebounds. It wasn’t a performance that netted Vučević a standing ovation once he checked out in the fourth quarter, but it was a step in the right direction.

Behind the scenes, Vučević had been working toward that moment, regardless of how it would end up. Getting back on the floor was more important than anything else.

“That was kinda the plan from the beginning, after I got the surgery,” Vučević shared. “We kinda had this game at the four-week mark, so we kind of had this day in mind, that’s how the plan went. I felt pretty good the week leading up to today. Did some on-court stuff with my right hand. On Friday, I was able to scrimmage a little bit, get up and down the court, and felt pretty good. You know, I just felt like it was good enough for me to get out and play.” 

The Celtics added Vučević to upgrade their frontcourt depth. After the Chris Boucher signing didn’t pan out, and with Luka Garza the only other reliable big behind Queta, the front office turned to the 15-year veteran. An All-Star with a career 35.1% 3-point shooting clip, Vučević immediately added value to Boston’s roster.

So in the eyes of Mazzulla, Vučević won’t have an issue carving his place with the team.

“His role as a big is, one, defensively controlling the paint with rebounds and his pick-and-roll defense,” Mazzulla said. “And then offensively, just being dynamic too. We don’t quite know how teams will defend him, so sometimes we just have to read that in real time, right? So I think his role is just like our other fives: they’re the connectors. They’re the people that make plays for us on the offensive end with their screening, which he takes pride in. Then defensively, rebounding and controlling the paint.”

Shaking off rust, Vučević missed his first three shots, including an alley-oop from Jaylen Brown. Mazzulla wasn’t worried.

“He was fine,” Mazzulla added. “We just gotta continue to get him acclimated.”

As the longest-tenured NBA veteran in Boston’s locker room, Vučević isn’t overanalyzing his role. His focus is on keeping it simple — a direction emphasized by Mazzulla and the coaching staff — as he works to find his footing in the final four regular-season games and before the playoffs.

“Just not overthink things,” Vučević explained.

“I think that’s kind of the message that comes from Joe and the coaching staff, as well as the rest of the guys. Just trying to find my ways and be able to be myself within what we’re trying to do — within what helps us be a good team. Then as I play more alongside these guys, I learn their tendencies. They learn mine, and I think that’ll just come naturally.”

Even though Vučević’s stint in Boston hasn’t been perfect, he’s put in the work whenever he could. While recovering, he spent time off the court building rapport with his new teammates. From the moment he arrived from Chicago, before ever suiting up, Vučević was at the practice facility going over the playbook and meeting with the coaching staff.

Vučević’s commitment is about giving his teammates the best version of himself — the version Celtics fans have long wanted the front office to pursue. So like Mazzulla, he isn’t worried, especially when it comes to building his chemistry on the floor with Tatum.

“Obviously, me and JT didn’t get a lot of time together,” Vučević said. “But we’re both high-level players, both smart players, and I think we’ll be able to figure it out pretty quick. Even just being around the guys during the time I did play, I think that’s helped a lot. Obviously, it would’ve been great to have that full month that I missed, but it is what it is. We’ll try to make the best of it over the next couple of games, and I also think that week leading up to the playoffs is going to help.”

It wasn’t pretty, but the Celtics started their final stretch at TD Garden with a 115-101 win over the Raptors. Jaylen Brown was a driving machine, Jayson Tatum held court as Boston’s primary playmaker and nearly racked up another triple-double, and Nikola Vucevic returned with mixed results.

Toronto could potentially be a first round opponent when the playoffs start in two weeks. They currently have an identical 43-35 record with the 76ers. Philadelphia owns the tiebreak and subsequently, the #6 seed. That would put the Raptors in the Play-In Tournament with the Hornets, Magic, and Heat as possible opponents.

For the Celtics, their magic number to clinch the second seed is now two. Their odds have improved all month with our friends at FanDuel and now are +550 to raise Banner 19 and the favorite to rep the Eastern Conference in the 2026 NBA Finals.

Jaylen Brown

35 minutes, 26 points (1-3 from 3, 3-5 from the free throw line, 11-20 from the field), 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 turnovers, 2 steals, +13

The Raptors have plenty of size on the wing to defend the JB. No matter. Brown drove the ball effectively all afternoon and scored nearly all his points in the restricted area.

It seems like ever since Brown was ejected in San Antonio, he’s made it a point to force the issue with the officiating. He went to the line only five times against the Raptors, but he averaged over ten trips to the line during the road trip. Those could be valuably efficient points in the playoffs — if the refs blow the whistle.

Grade: B+

Jayson Tatum

34 minutes, 23 points (2-6 from 3, 7-8 from the free throw line, 7-15 from the field), 13 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 turnovers, 3 steals, +13

For the third straight game, Tatum put up near triple-double numbers, this time against a potential playoff opponent. His three-point stroke just hasn’t clicked yet (33% in his return), but he hasn’t leaned on it too much whenever he’s working at the top of the arc.

Big fella's gotta eat 🍽️ pic.twitter.com/drGdrtt7kd

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 5, 2026

Instead, he’s really embraced the hub-of-the-wheel role as the team’s primary playmaker, particularly when it comes to connecting with Queta.

Grade: A-

Neemias Queta

34 minutes, 18 points (9-10 from the field), 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks, +30

Queta has now made 30 of his last 41 field goal attempts over the last four games. He can either be quick off the catch by not dropping the ball below his shoulders and getting off a shot before his counterpart can contest or dial into a series of McHale-esque drop steps and finishes around the rim.

Grade: A

Sam Hauser

26 minutes, 8 points (1-4 from 3, 3-7 from the field), 2 rebounds, one assist, one turnover, +9

In what has become a familiar theme with Hauser over the past few weeks, Sam has hit the hard ones and missed the bunnies.

Sam so tuff for this 💪 pic.twitter.com/MuAnVkVBd5

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 5, 2026

That reminded me of Larry Legend when IQ > physical ability.

Grade: B-

Derrick White

35 minutes, 10 points (2-3 from 3, 4—7 from the field), 6 rebounds, 6 assists, one turnover, one steal, +20

My theory is that at this point, Brown and Tatum are experimenting with roles and where their shots are going to come from when the playoffs start in two weeks, whereas White is just laying in the cut and picking his spots. To wit, he scored half of his points with less than five minutes left in the game. They didn’t exactly qualify as clutch minutes, but no doubt he’ll be there when it matters.

Grade: B

Payton Pritchard

30 minutes, 17 points (1-3 from 3, 2-2 from the free throw line, 7-12 from the field), one rebound, 3 assists, one turnover, 3 steals, +9

Pritchard was 6-for-9 in the paint in other masterclass of the mid-range.

I hope Joe Mazzulla appreciates this, but Payton’s game reminds me of when Bruce Lee would train on those wooden dummies. He’s got a counter to any defense.

Grade: B+

Nikola Vucevic

13 minutes, 4 points (0-2 from 3, 2-5 from the field), 4 rebounds, one assist, 2 turnovers, +14

Vucevic has five games to get his feet wet again before the playoffs. After missing fourteen games with a fractured finger — he’s been out since Tatum’s return — he looked rusty and not ready for game speed. However, there’s little doubt that the 14-year vet won’t be ready for Round 1. His pick-and-pop game is perfect for Boston’s offensive system.

Grade: B

Baylor Scheierman

17 minutes, 5 points (1—5 from 3, 2-8 from the field), 5 rebounds, +0

Just a ho-hum game for the King of the Wings.

Grade: B

Jordan Walsh

13 minutes, 4 points (0-2 from 3, 2-4 from the field), one steal, +6

After a stretch of DNP-CDs, Walsh has unexpectedly rejoined the rotation as the 9th man/2nd wing off the bench, with Gonzalez’s playing time as the main casualty.

Although both have had positive stretches defending the opposing team’s best players, the slight edge belongs to Walsh with experience winning over just not knowing any better. Moments like this can change the complexion of a game and subsequently, a series:

Things you love to see ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/CPbyUObqw5

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 5, 2026

Grade: B

Hugo Gonzalez & Ron Harper Jr.

2 minutes, -2

With how well Gonzalez and Harper Jr. have looked in spurts this season, it’s unfortunate that we don’t get to see them play meaningful minutes here at the end of the season. At least Harper Jr. is now signed for the remainder of the regular season.

Mazzulla seems to be trimming the rotation down to nine players and they’re just simply the odd man out…until Mazzulla throws another curve ball and one of those guys are starting a game next week.

Grade: INC

DNP-CDs: Luka Garza, Max Shulga, John Tonje, Amari Williams