Monday night, 8:50 PM, UConn vs Michigan, Hurley vs May.

A tale of two sides. One team that has been dominant all season long is the heavy favorite on Monday night. The Huskies, on the other hand, have had an intriguing season, but as coach Hurley said after their 20-point loss in the Big East Championship to St. John’s, “We play our best basketball in the NCAA Tournament and vs non-conference teams. Our group knows that.” And he was absolutely spot on as they head to their 3rd National Championship in four years. Something that has only been done once by the great John Wooden UCLA teams. Monday night is full of storylines and hopefully a classic in Indianapolis once again.

Three years ago Dusty May was one win away from facing UConn in the National Championship, now he gets the moment of a lifetime in just two years as Michigan’s head coach. With a record of 63-13 in the first two seasons, he is looking to win a National Championship for a program that has not seen one since 1989. The 49 year old has become one of the best coaches in the country over the last 3 years and is looking to prove that once again here on Monday night.

Obviously this Michigan team is one of the greats in college basketball history, but that does not mean they cannot be beat. You can not bet against the Hurley Huskies who have been 18-1 in the last four seasons in the NCAA tournament. The preparedness and executing each game plan from the Huskies this tournament run has been super impressive. Do not be shocked if Hurley and his staff find a way to slow down this fast pace Michigan team.

KEY MATCHUPS

First matchup I’m looking forward to is Tarris Reed Jr. vs Aday Mara and the rest of the front court of Michigan. This is 100% the hardest matchup Reed has faced this season, but I do think he will continue his run of form. He has been an absolutely massive for the Huskies and Monday night is going to be a test. Mara dominated Arizona’s front court Saturday night and will have a significant advantage in this matchup. I do wonder if they pull a 2024 UConn and just let Mara shoot, but there is too much fire power on this Michigan team to do that.

The backcourts are the next matchup that is massive, specifically for the side of Michigan. They looked phenomenal Saturday night, but this season we have seen them struggle which contributed to their loses this year. The thing is they are a very deep backcourt even without Cason and anyone one of them can get it going. The Husky guards will need to defend like their life depends on it. If they guard like they did against the Illini, they have a very good shot at winning this ball game. Specifically Silas Demary Jr. who has done it all for this Husky team. Rebounding and winning the turnover battle will have a huge impact if they want to win 3 in 4 years.

On the other side, Michigan will have their hands full defensively. I would expect Hurley to put the Michigan front court in sets to get them out of position. Braylon Mullins and Tarris Reed Jr. will need to continue to be the “jumper cables” for this offense like they were against Illinois. As well as the leader, Alex Karaban, will need to continue to be the in-game leader for the Huskies.

Additional Comments

The injuries have come about for both teams. Yaxel Lendeborg and Solo Ball got beat up in both their final four matchups. Lendeborg is dealing with a slight MCL sprain and rolled ankle. He had a significant limp when coming out of the second half of the Arizona game. While, Ball was announced with a foot sprain and did not practice on Sunday. Two very key players for each team and something to look at when the game begins.

Other than that, I’m gonna end it here with some comments on the experience I have had at my first Final Four and National Championship.

First off, Indianapolis is a fantastic host city. I have been here a couple of times for the Big Ten football championships(shoutout my Hoosiers), but I knew this city would be awesome. I hope to be back to many Final Fours in my future because just two days in Indy was not enough. I wish I was here for the whole week of festivities(hopefully I am in the future). I need my Hoosiers here soon because it is an awesome experience. But for now I’ll take my football National Championship and run with it.

Enjoy Monday night, everyone. I will be taking the Huskies because without my friend Matthew McBarron I would not be here. Huskies +7.5 is the play(not gambling advice).