The Astros put Brown on the injured list on Sunday, April 5 with a shoulder strain.
Brown, the Astros' opening day starter, had only allowed a total of one earned run in his first two starts of the season with 17 strikeouts and six walks.
The move was retroactive to April 2, so it's possible he could have sustained the injury during a bullpen session between starts. Brown would have been lined up to make his next start on Sunday against the Athletics in Sacramento.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 31: A fan dressed as an Easter bunny reacts during the seventh inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park on March 31, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Happy Easter!
In addition to candy, the Phillies are hoping the bunny gives them a sweep as they conclude their series against the Colorado Rockies on Sunday afternoon.
They’ll hope that Taijuan Walker can do better in his second start of the season after a rough outing against the Nationals. He oddly has good career numbers at Coors Field.
The Cleveland Cavaliers will look to get closer to clinching a top-four playoff seed as they host the Indiana Pacers tonight.
Cleveland and Indiana have both been playing to big scores in recent games, and I’m taking the Over to hit again tonight in my Pacers vs. Cavaliers predictions below.
Let’s look at the full breakdown of tonight’s matchup as I share my free NBA picks for Sunday, April 5.
Pacers vs Cavaliers prediction
Pacers vs Cavaliers best bet: Over 239 (-110)
The Indiana Pacers have been bad at just about everything this season, but their biggest failures have come on defense. Indiana is allowing 120.8 points per game with a defensive efficiency of 116.2, both of which rank among the Bottom 5 in the NBA.
That already had Indiana leaning toward the Over, but the Pacers have added to that trend by finding some offensive spark in recent weeks. Over their last eight games, they are averaging 124.6 PPG, a total that would make them the league's best offensive team if they had maintained that level all year.
A Top-10 pace means both Indiana and its opponents have plenty of possessions, resulting in frequent Overs.
At 119.3 PPG, the Cleveland Cavaliers have one of the most prolific offenses in the NBA. They're shooting 48% from the field and will likely do even better against the Pacers, who are allowing opponents to hit 49.1% of their shots.Donovan Mitchell (27.7 PPG) and James Harden (20.2 PPG) have this offense humming, with Cleveland hitting the Over in three of its last four games.
These trends are all likely to continue tonight. The Pacers may suffer a bit with the loss of Pascal Siakam, but that’s going to hurt them on both sides of the ball, meaning Cleveland’s offense can pick up any slack if Indiana struggles.
I’m expecting a fast-paced game that will bring home the Over.
Pacers vs Cavaliers same-game parlay
Along with taking the Over tonight, I’ll be looking at Cleveland’s Max Strus to continue his recent run of strong play for our parlay. Strus has averaged 18.8 PPG and five made threes over his last four games. Given the expectation of a high-scoring game — and the likelihood that the Cavaliers will be on the winning side — Strus has every opportunity to hit the Over on both his points and threes made props tonight.
Pacers vs Cavaliers SGP
Over 239
Max Strus Over 3.5 made threes
Our "from downtown" SGP: Cleveland rocks
For our long-shot SGP tonight, I’m going to look at a few different Cleveland props that will come together in this game.
That starts with taking James Harden to pick up his 21st double-double of the season. I also like Dennis Schroder to hit his assists total, as he’s averaging 4.8 assists per game on the year and dished out six against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday.
Finally, let’s back Donovan Mitchell to get Over 4.5 rebounds, a total that’s right at his season average (4.5) and should be boosted against an Indiana team that ranks second-last in the NBA in rebound rate.
The Over is 9-1 in Indiana’s last 10 games overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Pacers vs. Cavaliers.
How to watch Pacers vs Cavaliers
Location
Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OH
Date
Sunday, April 5, 2026
Tip-off
6:00 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN Indiana, FDSN Ohio
Pacers vs Cavaliers latest injuries
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At one point, Kopitar was asked if there were a time in his career when he thought he wouldn't be a King.
"Honestly, I didn't, no," Los Angeles' captain said confidently. "I felt like L.A. was my team, it's where I belong, and it didn't really cross my mind to where I'd go somewhere else."
While Kopitar admitted he wouldn't want his career to pan out any other way in terms of what his home has been for the past 20 years, he played the hypothetical game.
"(If) I really have to pick… probably Montreal," he admitted to Friedman. "I don't know, I just enjoy the city, I enjoyed playing there. Yeah, if I had to pick one, it'd probably be the Canadiens."
While it's not possible for Kopitar to switch teams at this point in the season - nor would he even entertain the idea - but he'd be a great fit for the Habs right about now.
Jake Evans and Anze Kopitar (Eric Bolte-Imagn Images)
The Canadiens are doing just fine as they're second in the Atlantic Division and are hovering around being a top-five team in the NHL at this stage of the season. But one weakness they have is the hole on the second line at the center position.
It would be fun for Habs fans to fantasize about having the Kings' all-time point scorer on their roster, but Kopitar wouldn't trade his time in Los Angeles for anything else.
And because he knows he's calling it quits at the end of this season, why not play around with some hypothetical scenarios as he looks back on his incredible NHL career?
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
INDIANAPOLIS – Michigan star Yaxel Lendeborg said he feels great and is expected to "give it a go" in the national championship game after he was injured in the Final Four on Saturday, April 4.
Coach Dusty May provided an update to his player on Sunday, April 5, after Lendeborg suffered a sprained MCL of his left knee and an injured ankle, per CBS Sports' Tracy Wolfson. Lendeborg had an MRI earlier in the day and all imaging came back clean and he'll be receiving treatment.
"I'm sure he'll give it a go tomorrow, but that'd be entirely up to him and the medical staff," May said.
Lendeborg didn't speak with media, but was seen inside the stadium walking around without much of a limp. When asked how he feels, he said, "great" and he didn't fall during the day.
Michigan guard Roddy Gayle Jr. added Lendeborg has done a "tremendous job" with his recover and the team knows "nothing's going to stop Yax being available and being able to play on Monday."
"Right now it's just about how comfortable does he feel and I think that he's more than excited to be in this one," Gayle added.
While concerning, Michigan was able to continue without its star as it dominated Arizona in the semifinal to punch its ticket to the national championship game. After the win, Lendeborg told reporters he is "playing Monday night regardless" against Connecticut, going for the Wolverines' second national championship, and first since 1989.
"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."
What happened to Yaxel Lendeborg?
Lendeborg got hurt with just under nine minutes left in the first half of the semifinal game, appearing to have twisted his ankle after stepping on the foot of Wildcats forward Motiejus Krivas while going to the basket for a layup.
He left the game and headed to the locker room, not returning for the remainder of the first half despite coming back to the bench. Lendeborg went through warm-ups out of halftime and despite walking gingerly, he started the second half and played roughly nine minutes, knocking down two 3-pointers in the second half.
The Wolverines had a commanding lead over Arizona, up by at least 20 points for nearly all of the second half. There was questions why May let a clearly injured Lendeborg play, and the Michigan coach said it had to with not wanting a late comeback from the No. 1 seeded Wildcats.
"You're playing Arizona, one of the best teams — statistically, the number one or two team all year in the country and you're up 20 with 10 minutes left, with eight and a half minutes left. We didn't feel quite as confident as you guys did that we could just put the kids to bed. And he came in and Elliot [Cadeau] was in foul trouble, and so he just held it down," May said after the game.
Michigan will play UConn on Monday, April 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:50 p.m. ET.
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 2: A general view of the Willis Tower formerly known as the Sears Tower and the rest of the Chicago city skyline during an afternoon MLB game between the Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field formerly known as Comiskey Park on May 2, 2004 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The last of our three-game series with the White Sox.
I am in Nagasaki, Japan today. This is going be one of those heavy days that we sometimes get on holidays. The US dropped an A-bomb on the city near the end of the Second World War. We have been to a few of these places that really are tough on the psyche and remind me how lucky I am.
A few years ago we visited one of the German concentration camps in Poland where thousands and thousands of people were killed. I had to walk away from the guide a few times, cause the stories were just too bleak. Then, last year, we were at the island of Gorée that many of the slaves coming to the ‘New World’ from Africa went through. There is way too much evil in the world.
Anyway, you can’t have fun on holiday all the time. I guess.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 04: Tatsuya Imai #45 of the Houston Astros pitches against the Athletics in the bottom of the six inning of a major league baseball game at Sutter Health Park on April 04, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The latest news and updates on the Houston Astros and from around MLB:
Astros ace Hunter Brown placed on the 15-day IL today:
Christian Walker is off to a torrid start. He currently is tied for the team lead in hits (11) and leads the team in doubles (6) and RBI (9). He hit his first HR of the season yesterday:
Christian Walker on his first home run of the season and the Astros patient hitting approach that led to 13 walks today pic.twitter.com/ttPsjBhgCw
Cam Smith hit an elevated 97.9 mph four-seamer from Luis Medina an estimated 402 feet to left-center field at 111.1 mph off the bat for his home run. It’s the third-hardest-hit ball Smith has put in play in the majors.
Mets’ OF Juan Soto is out of the lineup again. His MRI revealed a calf strain. His manager, Carlos Mendoza, addresses it here:
Carlos Mendoza elaborates on Juan Soto's recovery plan:
"Give it 48, 72 hours, see how he continues to progress. Again, I was surprised when I saw him today the way he was moving around, but they're tricky. We'll wait, we'll continue to call it day-by-day until we have to make a… pic.twitter.com/dxGDFJz6qd
MILWAUKEE, WI - MARCH 31: Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Jonathan Aranda (8) watches his home run leave the park during a game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays on March 31, 2026 at American Family Field, in Milwaukee, WI. (Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
A cyclist rides past Hogan's Hangout, a restaurant owned by Terry Bollea, best known as Hulk Hogan, who died in Clearwater, Florida, on July, 24, 2025. Hulk Hogan, the 1980s icon of professional wrestling who helped propel the low-budget spectacle into the global spotlight and parlayed his prowess in the ring into pop culture stardom, died Thursday. He was 71. Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, was pronounced dead at a Florida hospital after emergency personnel responded to a cardiac arrest call at his home in Clearwater, police said. (Photo by Thomas Simonetti / AFP) (Photo by THOMAS SIMONETTI/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
First Chuck: 1:10 PM CDT (click here each week for a new anthem!)
In seeing the 21 MLB ballparks I’ve been to thus far, I’ve traversed a lot of territory. Besides ranking the yards, it has given me an opportunity to think about whether I could live in different parts of these United States.
There are some locales I could never tolerate. Houston’s humidity would melt me, as would the dryer heat of Arlington. Even St. Louis would be too soggy.
I wouldn’t last a week in NYC—too many people too close together. I’d give a little more rope to LA because I love movies—but the constant crush of citizens would be too much.
Of course, some spots I’ve really enjoyed. Colorado is a veritable paradise for someone who hates humidity, likes outdoor activities, and doesn’t mind prolonged stretches of bad baseball. Seattle’s intriguing mix of extremely fun stadium experience, coastal locale, and every eatery serving biscuits and gravy (my favorite breakfast fare) would perhaps satiate me.
But of all the places I’ve baseball-tripped to, the one (at least so far) that I’d choose to live in if wanting a change from the Land of 10,000 Lakes: St. Petersburg, home of today’s MN Twins opponent Tampa Bay Rays.
Three reasons for this seemingly odd choice (considering I might choose literal purgatory over the Orlando area):
St. Pete isn’t nearly as hot or humid as central Florida. It gets a constant cool breeze from the ocean. In the dead of summer a few years ago, my Mom and I walked for hours along the bay and it was wonderful!
Tropicana Fieldisn’t that bad! Yes, it is a dome and yes it is utilitarian. But the people are friendly, the team somehow finds a way to be competitive despite spending no money, and it has a “mid-2000s Metrodome” feel where everyone is there to watch the ballgame instead of schmooze on a roof deck.
Granted, the problem with Rays Baseball is that while the location would be perfect for me, it is terrible for everyone else. St. Pete got the ballpark, but all the people are in Tampa Bay Proper across the bay and don’t want to drive across the long bridge to go to games. To be honest, I was somewhat surprised that the Trop got fixed up and will host further ballgames at all.
If my growing weariness of MN winters continues, perhaps someday I’ll turn into a beach bum and retire to Clearwater/St. Pete. But not today. For now, my home remains the site of today’s Twins/Rays clash.
(I’m often out walking or busy right up ‘til first pitch and last-minute lineup inputs stress me out—so, a clickety-click above will give you the pecking orders provided to the robotscyborgs Men in Blue)
After clinching a series win yesterday, Munetaka Murakami, Seranthony Domínguez and the White Sox will try to achieve a home opening series sweep for the first time in 22 years. | Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Spread the word — the White Sox are on a winning streak!
Just when it looked like things were as bad as ever or even worse, the Sox have begun to show some life as they’ve taken their season back home to Chicago. Now, after back-to-back wins over the defending American League champions, they’re on the precipice of something unthinkable: a sweep.
In my hurried research, the last instance I could find of the Sox sweeping their first series at home came all the way back in 2004, when they took three straight from Kansas City in Ozzie Guillén’s managerial debut at then-U.S. Cellular Field. The winning pitchers in that series? Esteban Loaiza, Jon Adkins and Dámaso Marte. Technically, they did sweep their opening series in 2018, though that was just two games, also against Kansas City — and on the road.
The 2004 home opener was the first one I ever attended in person, and I can still picture my view from a far upper right-field corner as chants of “Ozzie! Ozzie!” rang through the stadium. Given that the loudest cheer of this past Friday’s opener was reserved for the surprise announcement of Ozzie’s forthcoming jersey retirement ceremony, this is as fitting of a time as ever to repeat the other part of history from that series.
Just for the sake of Remembering Some Guys, here are the lineups from the third game in that 2004 opening series, which the Sox took home 6-5 in 10 innings to complete the sweep.
What a time to be alive. Here’s the lineup that they’ll use today to try to reach the same end.
Tanner Murray will be making his big league debut at shortstop after the team announced his call-up this morning, with outfielder Everson Pereira hitting the IL due to a left ankle sprain. Murray was acquired alongside Pereira from Tampa Bay last November in exchange for Yoendrys Gómez and Steven Wilson. Murray swung the bat well in Arizona this spring, slugging .692 with three walks and just two strikeouts in 27 trips to the plate. He’s continued to rake in Charlotte, notching two homers, a double and six walks through six games.
Murray’s start will give Colson Montgomery a day off, and Derek Hill makes his first start in the outfield after appearing in five of the first eight games as a late substitution. Call it a reward for Friday’s fantastic execution of a two-out bunt to save the game.
The main arsenal change that Davis Martin brings back with him is a new sinker that serves as his primary fastball against lefties and helps generate all those ground balls. In Spring Training, he employed two distinct arsenals. He comes at lefties with the sinker and a low-80s sweeper, a classic ground ball combination of sinkers in on the hands with sweepers breaking off the outer edge of the plate. Against righties he pairs his traditional four-seamer with a 90 mph slider that has just enough break to be distinct from a cutter. That’s when he uses the changeup as an out pitch, typically employing it with one or two strikes and an aggressive hitter.
Here’s the lineup John Schneider’s Blue Jays will be sending at Davis Martin this afternoon:
Personally, I’d be pretty tired of having to pitch to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. already. Let’s get the win and gear up for Baltimore’s trip into town this week.
First pitch is at 1:10 p.m. CT, and will be available on TV via CHSN and radio via WMVP AM 1000.
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 03: Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers retires Brady House #12 of the Washington Nationals and throws to first base to turn a double play against the Washington Nationals during the seventh inning at Nationals Park on April 3, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Nats have been unable to stop the Dodgers lineup so far this series. They will get one more opportunity to solve the puzzle that is the Dodgers lineup this afternoon. Due to weather, the game will be delayed, but the forecast should clear up later in the afternoon.
Despite his struggles, Blake Butera is sticking with James Wood in the leadoff spot. Interestingly, Nasim Nunez will be in the 2 hole. Joey Wiemer will be back in the lineup, with Blake Butera wanting a spark from his team. CJ Abrams will be in the 6 hole, even though he is red hot. Keibert Ruiz and Jose Tena are also in the lineup. Brady House has the day off. Foster Griffin, the crafty lefty, will have his hands full with this Dodgers lineup.
happy anniversary of that one clip of the easter bunny wrecking teddy to all who celebrate
Due to injuries, matchups and off days, this Dodgers lineup is not quite as intimidating. However, it still has plenty of thump with Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and the red hot Andy Pages. Former Nat Alex Call will get his second straight start of the series. We will be seeing Santiago Espinal and Dalton Rushing for the first time in this series. The enigmatic Roki Sasaki will be on the mound for the Dodgers. He will be interesting to watch.
The last couple games have been rough, but a win today would help the Nats get back on track. They have really had to run the gauntlet so far, but the schedule lightens up after this. 4-5 is much more manageable than 3-6, so that should be the goal today. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats!
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 03: Jack Leiter #22 of the Texas Rangers takes the field prior to the game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
FORT MYERS, FL - MARCH 27: A person dressed as the Easter Bunny walks on the field prior to the spring training game between the Boston Red Sox and the Boston Red Sox at JetBlue Park on March 27, 2016 in Fort Myers, Florida. The Red Sox defeated the Phillies 5-1. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) | Getty Images
He lays huge eggs and bounds around the garden hiding them while trumpeting loudly and splashing in the water from the nearby sprinkler. Yes he’s the famous and beloved Easter Elephant and the A’s are but 2-6 as the calendar hits his special day.
Let’s go inside a couple numbers to see why or how the A’s have stumbled so mightily out of the gate. Some primary culprits include…
Jacob Wilson
It’s not often a player ranks in the 1st percentile in 4 different Statcast categories out of the 13 listed, but Fidgety Guy is an extremist. As in last season his batting average was extremely high but this year his slash line is a putrid .212/.212/.303 for a reason.
It’s not necessarily alarming for Wilson to be in the 1st percentile for “bat speed” as he ranked exactly there in his superb 2025 rookie season. Wilson’s “barrel rate” is also 1st percentile — last year it was 6th percentile. What’s concerning is that his “chase rate” was 22nd percentile last season and so far this year it’s … 1st percentile. And then there’s “BB percentage”. Hard to get lower than 0%, which lands Wilson in the 1st percentile in yet another category.
Wilson is going out of the strike zone more than anyone in the league and it’s a big part of why his “whiff %” is down to the 79th percentile. That may sound good but last year it was truly elite: 99th percentile. The cure for ails Wilson is pretty straight-forward: he needs to stop swinging at pitches out of the strike zone at unparalleled rates. It is making him an easy out leading to a .515 OPS.
If I had to pick a single phrase to describe what the A’s mantra should be moving forward, it would be “swing decisions” and it starts with the A’s shortstop.
Luis Morales
I am dead set against fast, knee-jerk reactions to small samples as not only is it a statistically flawed way to react to numbers it risks creating performance issues with peers who press when faced with a reality that a few plate appearances or innings can define their status.
But what we are seeing with Luis Morales is not new: he simply does not currently have the ability to throw the ball where he wants to, leading to a lot of walks, high pitch count innings, hanging sliders and centered fastballs that are crushed, and an alarming amount of hard contact overall. We saw it throughout spring training and nothing shifted in his first 2 starts of the regular season.
Morales is a “stuff” guy with his 96.4 MPH fastball and crackling slider. So it’s disconcerting to see some of his more negative stats in the context of him boasting stuff that is raw but supposedly hard to hit.
After 2 starts Morales ranks in just the 32nd percentile in average exit velocity against. His “whiff rate” is in just the 12th percentile, leading to merely an 11th percentile K rate, and he is in only the 18th percentile in preventing hitters from barreling him up.
According to Fangraphs here’s how bad a start Morales is off to: last year his fastball value was -0.7 but so far this season it’s -4.9. His slider showed up at +1.5 last year but is off to a -2.3 start in 2026. His changeup is even down from +1.8 to -0.3. Much of this can reasonably be attributed to the small sample of 2025 and the tiny sample of 2026, but the trends are clear and probably not noise — they match the eyeballs, not just the results.
I think the A’s should, for the sake of both Morales and the team, option him to AAA to refine his command and approach, basically to try to gain some at all. He is not ready for the big leagues despite his “big arm” and it is not serving anyone but opposing hitters to have him continue to make big league starts right now.
I would option him and call up a reliever until Morales’ next start comes up on Friday, then option a reliever (be it same one or one of Michael Kelly and Elvis Alvarado) and call up Kade Morris to start Friday’s game. Morris doesn’t have Morales’ “stuff” but what he has is the ability to command the stuff he does have. He throws a lot of strikes, keeps the ball on the ground well, can change speeds with his fastball, slider, changeup, slow curve combination, and is far more polished.
Morris has done something few can boast: he has pitched well in the PCL where balls fly and ERAs soar. In his last 5 starts (September, 2025 and 2 starts in 2026) his AAA line is: 3-0, 1.93 ERA, 28 IP, 21 hits, 10 BB, 29 K. He had just over a 50% ground ball rate at AAA last season and is at 60% to start 2026.
Just getting Wilson to control the strike zone a tad and slotting in Morris to give Morales the AAA time he needs would improve the lineup and rotation significantly overnight. Calling up Wander Suero (who impressed me in spring training and is off to a solid start at AAA) and/or Jack Perkins to fortify the bullpen could help too.
We’re not talking about “wholesale changes” after 8 games but we are talking about essential tweaks for a team that opened the season with a flawed roster and is paying the price in spades. I would like to think that even if his bonnet is a bit tight around his large ears, the Easter Elephant would agree that these changes are needed.
BOSTON - APRIL 20: Boston Red Sox fan Kelly Archy of Norwood, Massachusetts cheers on her team against the Toronto Blue Jays and celebrates Easter Sunday wearing bunny ears on April 20, 2003 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Ok, so the winning streak thing didn’t work out yesterday. So today let’s just hope that Ranger Suárez can figure it out on the mound. First pitch at 1:35 PM on NESN.
Michigan, seeking its second national championship and first since 1989, is also looking to become the first Big Ten Conference men's basketball team to win the NCAA Tournament since rival Michigan State knocked off Florida in the 2000 national championship game.
Meanwhile, UConn is looking to become the first team to win three national championships in four seasons since UCLA won 10 in 12 seasons from 1964-75. No other team has won more than two in three seasons in the 50-plus seasons since John Wooden's Bruins dynasty ended.
What does artificial intelligence think about the 2026 national championship game? Here's how AI predicted the matchup between Michigan and UConn will go:
AI predicts NCAA championship game between UConn, Michigan
Microsoft Copilot notes that Michigan ranks No. 1 across major efficiency models (KenPom, Torvik, EvanMiya) entering the national championship game and following a historic run of five straight NCAA Tournament games scoring 90-plus points (all featuring double-digit wins).
Copilot also pointed out that Michigan will want a game with a score in the 80s or low 90s, while UConn prefers a slower game with scores in the 60s or low 70s — which was the case for the Huskies' last four tournament games.
However, Yaxel Lendeborg's injury changes the equation of the game: "If Lendeborg is limited, UConn gains a rebounding and rim‑protection edge," Copilot says. "If he’s close to full strength, Michigan’s offense remains nearly unguardable."
Despite Copilot's note that Dan Hurley is 18-1 in his last 19 NCAA Tournament games — and a predicted score that veers more toward the Huskies' style of play than the Wolverines' — the AI predicted Michigan and its higher ceiling will ultimately beat out the experience of UConn.
Score prediction: Michigan 78, UConn 72
"A heavyweight fight where Michigan’s offensive ceiling ultimately outweighs UConn’s championship pedigree — but not without a deep push from the Huskies," Copilot said.
"Michigan’s historically dominant offense meets UConn’s championship‑tested defense, but the Wolverines’ overwhelming firepower and efficiency give them a narrow but decisive edge. This prediction reflects Michigan’s unprecedented scoring run and UConn’s proven ability to drag elite opponents into lower‑scoring, grind‑heavy games."
