Michigan vs. UConn National Championship Game Preview! + Injury updates on Yaxel Lendeborg and Solo Ball

Summary

Eye On College Basketball Podcast

Episode: Michigan vs UConn National Championship Game Preview
Hosts: Gary Parrish & Matt Norlander, CBS Sports
Date: April 5, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode centers on previewing the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball National Championship game between Michigan and UConn. Gary Parrish and Matt Norlander provide real-time injury updates, analyze the matchup’s narrative and tactical stakes, discuss the legacies of both programs and coaches, highlight the historical context, and offer their own predictions for Monday's showdown. Along the way, they share behind-the-scenes insights and personal anecdotes from Indianapolis.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Real-time Injury Updates

Solo Ball (UConn) Injury

• Solo Ball was seen in a walking boot after injuring his foot against Illinois.
• He hasn’t had an MRI yet; Easter Sunday slowed access to imaging. His status is genuinely uncertain.
  • “He was in good spirits. He was non-committal. You can’t tell if that, that statement is because he truly doesn’t know or if the boot thing is like, nah, they’re not keeping me off the floor tomorrow.” (Matt, 06:19)
  • Adds a significant wrinkle to UConn’s game plan.

Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan) Injury

• Lendeborg is managing both knee and ankle injuries; received medical imaging which came back clean.
• He intends to play, despite advice from family and agent to shut it down. Trainers are focused on minimizing swelling.
  • “My mom and my agent, they did not want me to play in the second half and I said, no, I’m gonna go out there and play.” (Norlander relaying Yaxel's statements, 08:40)
• Coaches hope to limit his media availability to maximize treatment.
• “If Yaxel does not do media availability ... as a media member, I understand. And any media member who wouldn’t understand, like I dare you to tweet about it. I will quote tweet to you and we’ll make fun of you.” (Gary, 12:06)

Injury Segment Timestamps:

• Solo Ball Update: [05:23–07:50]
• Yaxel Lendeborg Update: [08:40–11:43]
• Post-imaging Update: [15:32]

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2. National Championship Matchup Preview

Context & Stakes

• UConn: Going for 3rd national title in 4 years (historic feat since only 1970s UCLA matches it).
• Michigan: The clear best team in the country this season, seeking program’s 2nd ever national title.

Narrative Framing

• “Best team in the country versus best program of the past four years, at least.” (Gary, 12:06)
• “It’s the immovable team against the unbeatable program.” (Referencing David Cobb's column, Norlander, 16:53)
• Both teams have distinct storylines and legendary trajectories.

Key Matchups and Factors

• Michigan’s frontcourt is predicted to be pivotal, boasting multiple future first-round picks and a 7’2" center who runs the floor.
• UConn’s hopes hinge on the production of big man Terrace Reed, who is averaging 21 points and 13 rebounds in the tournament.
  • “I think UConn’s chances of winning the game hinge more on the production of Reed than any other element in my opinion.” (Norlander, 16:53)
• Both teams play at high tempos; Michigan combines size and athleticism with speed.
• UConn’s adaptability and deep playbook are spotlighted; Michigan’s sheer dominance is hard to ignore.

Matchup Segment Timestamps:

• Opening matchup talk & stakes: [15:32–20:19]
• Reed/Key factors: [16:53–23:52]
• Historic/program context: [23:52–28:00]
• Deeper Michigan analysis: [28:00–30:51]
• Notable stat nuggets: [30:51–34:52]

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3. Notable Historical & Statistical Nuggets

• First-ever NCAA tournament meeting between Michigan and UConn.
• Michigan’s +108 point margin over 5 games dwarfs UConn’s +41; largest gap since 1963 title game.
• UConn has been trailing just 13:39 minutes in Final Four/title games since 2023 over 200 minutes played.
• Caravan (UConn) could become the only non-UCLA player to win 3 titles in 4 years if UConn wins tonight.
  • “National semifinals and title games, UConn since 2023: played 200 total minutes and trailed for a combined 13 minutes and 39 seconds since then.” (Norlander, 32:50)
• Both teams did not win their respective conference tournaments before the title game (first time since 2019).

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4. Program, Coach, and Player Legacy Talk

• If UConn wins: bona fide dynasty, remarkable consistency in a modern era.
  • “It would be one of the greatest coaching and team accomplishments in all of American sports in the past three decades.” (Norlander, 23:52)
• If Michigan wins: run includes demolishing another #1 seed and topping the reigning greatest program of the era.
• Dusty May (Michigan) & Dan Hurley (UConn) represent two of the sport’s ascendant, charismatic coaches.
  • Contrasting personalities; both authentic, successful, and potentially future all-time greats. Examples:
    • “Dan Hurley is like showing the beads on his wrist. ... He’s super superstitious. ... You’re always getting Hurley, no matter what.” (Norlander, 36:00)
    • “Dusty can flip it on and flip it off, where Dan doesn’t even bother.” (Gary, 37:26)
• Terrace Reed (UConn) faces his former school—with a shot at Most Outstanding Player honors if UConn wins.

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5. Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “If you win this, you are going through that, and that is awesome. That’s an unforgettable thing to get through.” (Gary on Michigan, 21:10)
• “If UConn can win on Monday night, we have a bona fide American sports dynasty… three in four years is not debatable.” (Norlander, 23:52)
• “We might just be watching something where we look up at the end and go, buddy, that was just a different deal.” (Gary, 28:00)
• “He’s probably a good performance and a win against his former team … from being the most outstanding player of the 2026 Final Four.” (Gary on Terrace Reed, 22:56)
• “Caravan will be the only non-UCLA player ever to win three titles in a four-year span.” (Norlander, 31:12)
• Hilarious hotel window interlude: “I think there are people … in the window across the hotel, like right there. Why is their window open?” (Gary, 19:23)
  “Do not show that. Do not move your computer.” (Norlander, 20:19)

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6. Host Predictions

• Both hosts pick Michigan to win the national championship, but express high respect for UConn’s program.
  • Norlander: “I do think we get a competitive game. ... I’ll say Michigan 78, UConn 72.” (44:00)
  • Gary: “I would take UConn the points probably out of just respect for the program, respect for the defense.” (44:46)
• Hosts agree: hoping for a close, memorable final, showcasing the best of the sport's storylines.

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7. Other Notables

• Cam Boozer, national player of the year, is recovering from four orbital fractures but is in good spirits.

  • “He actually looked better than I expected. Definitely a lot of bloodshot on the eye … had time for a couple laughs and smiles.” (Norlander, 49:53)

• Behind-the-scenes snippets about media hospitality, hotel logistics, and Indianapolis weather add charm and authenticity.

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Segment Timestamps

• [01:43] – Episode opening, Indy stories, set-up
• [05:23] – Solo Ball injury/suspense
• [08:40] – Yaxel Lendeborg injury/character moment
• [15:32] – Official imaging update on Lendeborg; matchup setup
• [16:49] – What will decide the game?
• [19:54] – Mid-show hotel window comic relief
• [23:52] – UConn’s historic run, dynasty stakes
• [28:00] – Michigan’s dominance and strengths analysis
• [30:51] – Stat nuggets, tournament context
• [36:00] – Coach personalities, legacies, and sideline demeanor
• [43:20] – Official picks and predictions
• [49:53] – Cam Boozer update

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Closing Thoughts

This episode delivers not only a detailed, expert preview of Monday night’s national championship but a celebration of the narratives, characters, and historical moments that college basketball fans cherish. From live injury reporting to the philosophical weight of “championship DNA,” Parrish and Norlander craft a multi-dimensional, witty, and passionate look at a titanic showdown: the best team in America seeking to topple the best program of the era.

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Transcript

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[Gary Parish]

Hey there. I am Gary Parish. Welcome back PBS Sports. I own college basketball podcast where we sometimes discuss Camel fighting, Dodo Virgin, Leaky Black Matt Norlander is here with me. As you can tell, he' at Lucas Oil Stadium. If you watched on YouTube honor Brandon Davies smash that like button. If you haven't yet subscribed to the Ion College Basketball Podcast, shame on you. Go do it. Wherever you listen to podcasts like Apple and Spotify, let's get into it. We are now just one nighttime sleep away from the championship game of the 2026 NCAA tournament. By now you know the deal. Michigan UConn Monday night inside Lucas Oil Stadium here in downtown Indianapolis. Tip is scheduled for 8:50pm Eastern. You'll be able to watch it on TBS, TruTV or HBO Max, the latter of which is the home of DTF St. Louis, where everybody is definitely one of us. Norlander, it's good to see you for the first time on this Easter Sunday since the last time. Second time, but it's the first time I've seen you on this Easter Sunday since the last time we podcasted on this same Easter Sunday So. So what's new? What's new with you? Did you do anything cool in the past 11 hours?

[Matt Norlander]

What time did you fall asleep last night?

[Gary Parish]

4:30.

[Matt Norlander]

Whoa, you went till 4:30?

[Gary Parish]

I'm not good at just like, all right, we'll see you next time. Till then, take care and then go put my head on the pillow. So I walked. I walked indoors, back to my hotel, sat in the lobby of my hotel and projected our hotel, by the way.

[Matt Norlander]

I wondered if we were going to see each other. I think I might have beaten you back. I was hoofing it, though.

[Gary Parish]

You might have beat me back because I had to pack up and clean up and that kind of stuff over there, that lobby.

[Matt Norlander]

There's no one there. I was, There was no one at the desk.

[Gary Parish]

So you know where, like the, the, the travel, CBS travel desk is there where you could get cars and stuff? That desk is still, that table's still there at all times. It's just. There's no people there at 3 in the morning. So I, like, sat down from like 3 till 4 and just worked on the top 25 and 1. Like I was projecting Arkansas's roster and stuff like that. And then I, I just waited until I was like, okay, I'm getting really tired so that I could walk in, put my head on the pillow and go straight to sleep because, like, you know, my wife and little guys are here. I don't want to come in the room and work in here, turn on a computer, turn on the tv. So I waited in the lobby working until I was like, I know I'll fall asleep in three minutes. And that's, that's, that's the way I did it. But I'm good now. I'm good now.

[Matt Norlander]

How are you, Josh? Hitting us 4:45am Josh, MVP of the show. It's been great to see him. Also got some run in, in the media pickup game. Josh has some game. Played his alma mater at Hinkle on Saturday. Maybe we get at our first, like, calm down pod post post season, if you will. We'll, we'll get a little into, more into that. I think I was out by about 3:30. Woke up, I don't know, 8:30, got a good five hours in. It's great to see. This is our short, one of our shortest gaps between pods ever. But we do have plenty to talk about here. I am coming to you from the NCAA executive hospitality suite inside the stadium. I was not given permission to talk in this room. I am. But I got to figure that One's here, there's the D2. Title games ongoing, are happening soon here, and so I think we're safe. And I got a good little, I got a good little backdrop. So. So here we are. And media stuff is ongoing as we speak. UConn's just about done, and I literally just saw Dan Hurley on a golf cart right before booting up here. Michigan will be soon. I talked to Alex Caraban and Braylon Mullins for CBS Sports hq, and I'm scheduled to talk to Dusty May as soon as this podcast is done. So let's, let's dive into it. We got news and obviously we'll set up the title game. And as you get that going, gp, I'm literally going to close the door of this freezer so that these Cokes and waters and body armors don't get too warm.

[Gary Parish]

Well, that's awful kind of you. I'm sure the people that will occupy that room later, we'll surely appreciate that. I'll be honest, last night when we wrapped the pot around, I don't know, 2:30 or so, I didn't expect necessarily that we would have new news this morning, but there is actually a notable new headline this afternoon. Solo ball is in a walking boot after suffering a foot injury in last night's game against Illinois. As of this moment, I believe there has been no MRI done. As Dan Hurley pointed out, that could be difficult to get on Easter, at least more difficult than it would be, say, on a, on a regular Sunday afternoon in say, Connecticut somewhere, solo ball was asked about his playing status. Our friend Jeff Barzello tweeted multiple times he was non committal. So, Norlander, before we dive into the matchup specifically, let's discuss the solo ball situation. Then we'll get to the also injured Yaksel Lindeborg.

[Matt Norlander]

Yeah, okay. Yeah, the solo ball stuff kind of comes out of nowhere. I saw him walking in the boot. He was in good spirits. He was non committal. You can't tell if that, that statement is because he truly doesn't know or if the boot thing is like, nah, they're not keeping me off the floor tomorrow and we'll see if Ian winds up doing that. I was told that he has not had the MRI as of right now. Now, I guess maybe there's a chance that they're just playing it super, super tight to the vest. But I just got told in the past 30 minutes he has not had the MRI. He heard it in the first half by stepping on terraces. Reed's foot. How about this. I got told that, you know, in the moment, you just, you know, there wasn't that much pain. Like, there was no taping up in the locker room at halftime or anything like that. They just, you know, he was good to go and he played the game and no one, like, we didn't have any sense that that was going to be an issue. But now he's dinged up and he, he was already dinged up to begin with, but that's just another one. Tyler Demery still, you know, he's far from 100. But he even said, like now, like, it's going to be me. It's the same everything that you. We've seen. I'm going to be back out there. So it does add another significant element to this game and a bigger barrier for UConn if solo ball can't be on the floor. Starting level player. And he hasn't been the player that we thought he'd be this season like you and I think, I think we both agreed. We actually thought that he would rise to the level of being top 15 all American status hasn't been that. But this is a major one and I guess it lingers as one of the two or three biggest talking points between when we talk now and when we finally tip the ball off late on Monday night.

[Gary Parish]

Yeah, like, I think he probably answered it honestly. I just think, you know, at this, I like Yaxel's answer better than I like that one. And like, I'm not here to nitpick it, but given how. How much people do dissect words these days, I would just say something like, yes, I'm playing. Unless they pull me off the court, my coaches or medical staff are gonna have to tell me not playing. Until I hear that from them, consider me on the court. I just want that to be the, the, the, the. The. The words that are associated with me as opposed to, I don't know, I'll leave it up to somebody else while. I know, let me be clear. I know it is actually up to somebody else probably. I get it. I just. We are living in a time where Darren Peterson's words got picked apart, you know, all season long. And I loved Yaxel's answer. I understand both answers. I, I loved Yaxel's more. I guess I'll put it that way.

[Matt Norlander]

Fair enough. Let's talk Axel real quick here. I was hoping maybe to talk to him for on HQ today. Was told they are like, they're just not gonna. I, I'm assuming he'll be available. Maybe he will be available for me, the availability, I actually don't know the answer to that because I know that the trainers are going to spend as much time with him as possible. He made himself as available as you could possibly ask any player last night. If he is made unavailable today, like maybe he will be made available. But I was told just specifically for one on ones, Michigan kindly was like, the trainers are going to do everything to get him as good as possible. So it remains to be seen again. GP and I have almost never gone this early on an off day preview pod, but we're crammed with a ton of stuff between HQ and all that stuff. So we are working with some limited information in real time. We appreciate everyone for dialing in here live on a Sunday. That being said, he very much intends on playing I actually in the throws. I think I mentioned on the pod we did. All the hours are blending together, gp but I posted it this morning and it got reaction, that's for sure. When he told me, yeah, my mom and my agent, they did not want me to play in the second half and I said, no, I'm gonna go out there and play that. That sparked a lot of stuff and actually, you know, it brought Darren Peterson back into the conversation, rightly or wrongly, whatever, but I would imagine we'll see him on the floor. I think they got to worry about just keeping the swelling down as loose as possible, but this isn't common to have two starting level players go into a national title game with both of them facing serious injury concerns. But that's where we're at here and, and we'll see which side is affected more once they play tomorrow night.

[Gary Parish]

Obviously, Yaksa will be selected in the draft based on his ability, his potential, his age will play a role. All of this stuff but like that moment between you and him, like, helps him with NBA people. Like, I'm not saying it moves the needle. Like somebody's like, I didn't know if I'd take him in the top 10, but now I might. It's, you know, it's all marginal. But like, those are the type of things I think front office people want to hear. This guy was being advised to like shut it down for the night at least. And he said, absolutely not. This is a big stage I'm going to have to play. It's very much like one is like, you're risking Achilles injury and this one is maybe something far less. But like Tyrese Halliburton had people telling him, you don't need to do this last season either in the NBA Finals. And he said I whatever happens happens. But I'm playing in this basketball game. And that was, this was a lower level version of that. Yaxel saying whatever happens happens. But I'm playing in this basketball game no matter what my mother tells me, no matter what my agent tells me. I, I, I like all of that stuff. As always. We'll see how he feels on Monday night. But I say this as a member of the media who likes athletes to be available to the media. If I were Michigan, I would very politely say Yoxels talked enough. We need to work on him. He's going to be unavailable today. I believe I've seen these in other NCAA tournaments before where somebody who would otherwise be made available is not because they are being treated. And I think if Michigan suggested that today, everybody should understand.

[Matt Norlander]

Yeah. But just to be clear, it might like I'm an additional add on.

[Gary Parish]

Sure.

[Matt Norlander]

So it just might be like whatever he the NCAA is asking, use him. He might go to the presser.

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I don't know.

[Matt Norlander]

I just wanted to give our people real time information. A lot of people will ingest this podcast late Sunday, early Monday. We're just giving you what we have in real time. As we love you so much. We promised you a preview pod and our our schedules are way, way loaded the rest of the day and then into tomorrow morning. That's all.

[Gary Parish]

Here's my point. If Axel, if Axel if Yaxel does not do media availability on the Sunday before the national championship game, on the Sunday after he suffered both a knee and ankle injury and needs treatment to play in the biggest game of his life. As a media member, I understand. And any media member who wouldn't understand, like I dare you to tweet about it. I will quote tweet to you and we'll make fun of. We'll ratio you to death. All right. Get well soon. Yeah, so. And also get well soon. Solo ball. When we come back, we will dive into the matchup. Michigan Yukon. Fun title game. Best team in the country versus best program of the past four years at least. Can't wait. First, let's get a word from our partners.

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[Gary Parish]

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[Gary Parish]

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[Matt Norlander]

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[Matt Norlander]

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[Gary Parish]

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[Matt Norlander]

this game most likely element that it

[Gary Parish]

could just be injuries.

[Matt Norlander]

I guess I do one maybe but like I can't, I can't drift too far from the reality of last night when Michigan treated Arizona like a by game opponent and its best player didn't log 15 full minutes in the game. Like that's just maybe, you know, I love that we actually got that because Dusty May's press conference is quite literally happening right now as we are podcasting and so that update in real time. Good out of you gp. Thanks for that. I don't know if that will be a factor. I think UConn's chances of winning the game hinge more on the production of Reed than any other element in my opinion. I said that going into Illinois here it feels even more important and think about the fact that it's you got Yaxel alone but Mara and his size and Meres Johnson. I mean he is Just a huge human being as well. How effective can Reed be? How does you know that Yukon staff that they. They've got a ton, They've got a ton of sets like they, they. They have probably run. Not to get. We're not going to get too deep into the X and O stuff, but like, if you actually pulled up their past 20 games, right, and you looked into the sets they run, they run like 12, 15 different variations of horn sets. They've probably run 70 different actions over the past 15 to 20 games. The point is, they're one of the most complex and interesting scouts in all of college basketball. What can they bring into the mix on a two day turnaround that can give Terrace Reed the best potential pathway to real success in scoring, trying to get some of the bigs into foul trouble? I don't. I'm not gonna say UConn has to play a perfect game. It doesn't. But it's hard to dismiss Michigan's utter dominance and just say that UConn, because it's. UConn, is going to show up and for sure make this game close. I. I think that it can, but if it does, I'm fascinated to see how it gets there because. Because the Wolverines are on just a tear of all terrors. And, and it is our, Our David Cobb wrote a. Wrote a good story here where he. It was basically framed as the, the. What is it? The immovable team against the unbeatable program, essentially. And what Yukon's done and it's. It's amazing, like what, what they've done here and we can get on that in a second. It's incredible. But to me it's, it's Reed's production that I think hinges the potential for UConn to win more than anything else.

[Gary Parish]

It's a point I made on CBS Sports Network last night after the game that then after I got off the air, I realized Cobb had got a whole column on it. We were sort of thinking along the same lines. This is set up beautifully because if Michigan wins this national championship, bro, I think I am looking out the window. I think there are people. I think there's one of two of us in the window across the hotel, like right there. Why is their window open?

[Matt Norlander]

Is that happening right now?

[Gary Parish]

I swear, I think.

[Matt Norlander]

Are you kidding me?

[Gary Parish]

I'm not joking.

[Matt Norlander]

What's happening?

[Gary Parish]

I mean, it's like kind of glares on the windows and stuff, but there are definitely humans doing something in that window. What in the world? Okay, what was I talking about? What Was I trying to talk about? Okay. Yeah. So how does that. I swear. Do you want me to turn around and show you? No.

[Matt Norlander]

No, you're not.

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[Matt Norlander]

I can't emphasize enough. Do not show that. Do not move your computer.

[Gary Parish]

Go back and watch. You could probably see me trying to be all serious and I'm kind of like out the corner of my eye over here, like, what is. What is. What am I looking.

[Matt Norlander]

It's 1:47 in the afternoon on Easter Sunday.

[Gary Parish]

Hey, man. He is risen. He has risen. He has risen. He is risen.

[Matt Norlander]

Oh, my gosh.

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[Gary Parish]

All right, so what I was trying to say.

[Matt Norlander]

Back on track.

[Gary Parish]

What I was trying to say is that if Michigan is going to win this national championship.

[Matt Norlander]

Yeah.

[Gary Parish]

It has to go through the best program of the past four years, at least. Arguably the best program of the past quarter century or whatever.

[Matt Norlander]

Inarguably.

[Gary Parish]

Let's go. Inarguably, then. I ain't here to get into a Yukon War today. Okay. Inarguably. Greatest program of all time. Any. Any gender. Okay. Of course, now you got UConn fans arguing against that, too. So, yeah, it's gonna be tough. I'm in a tough spot here. You're playing a monster of a program with a guy who's become, in a lot of ways, for a lot of reasons, the face of college basketball coaching. So if you win this, you are going through that, and that is awesome. That's an unforgettable thing to get through. And on the other side, if UConn's going to win a third national championship in a four year span, something that's only been done once in the modern era by a program, and that was ucla. They've got to go through what is clearly, at this point. Let's go. Let's borrow your word again in arguably the best team in the country, a team that has been demolishing everybody, including another number one seed just yesterday. And so whatever happens here, it is an awesome accomplishment to finish off an incredible season. And, you know, I understand what you're saying. Like, it's very hard for people to wrap their minds around Dan Hurley's team, UConn, getting handled in a way that Michigan's handled so many other people this season. But clearly Michigan is capable of doing that. They showed it on Saturday. The point spread reflects that. But I just can't. Me personally, I can't get away from the idea that we're going to look up with seven minutes to go, and this is still going to be a basketball game for one reason or another. And the biggest reason from a player perspective for UConn would probably be Terrace Reed because he's now averaging like 21 and 13 in this NCAA tournament. And you talk about storybooks like here's another one for you. I know you know this, but somebody might not. He's probably a good performance and a win against his former team. He used to play Michigan from being the most outstanding player of the 2026 Final Four. Braylon Mullins has been the moment maker of the 2026 Final Four or the NCAA Tournament. But Terrace Reed has been the best player for UConn in this event. And if he performs well on Monday and UConn wins, I would assume he gets that trophy. Yeah, sure. After. It would have to come after he just got a victory over the place where he spent the first two years of his college career. This is all great stuff. I can't wait.

[Matt Norlander]

No, without a doubt, the matchup itself I actually do still find plenty compelling because of UConn's success. This, this was my overnight column right now, the first game what UConn has done here. It really should not be possible in this era to get to three title games in a four year span. Kentucky in the late 90s did it in 96, 97, 98. That was the last time we had any men's school make it to Monday night in April. Three times in at least a four year span. And just to do it here now this team is different obviously than the the 23 or the 24 one was. But it's still. I also had this in the story like Yukon was really good this season and I'm not saying that people were sleeping on UConn. That's not. But it wasn't talked about and regarded in the similar vein going into the Final four that the 23 team was when it was just strolling in. And obviously the team after that was even better. And I think it's because UConn didn't win the Big east championship in the regular season of the postseason. It lost at Creighton. It lost or lost a home to Creighton, had that bad loss. And the regular season at Marquette it got beat handily by St. John's in the big east championship. So I understand some of that. But it still was a two seed team, started 22 and one, you know, was took out. It took out Florida. It won at Kansas B byu. It didn't have two of its starters and lost narrowly in the final minute at Home against Arizona. So it's 34 and 5. I'm not surprised it's here. What Hurley's done is incredible. And if UConn can win, especially against this Michigan team, if UConn can win on Monday night, we have a bona fide American sports dynasty. You want to nitpick on, like, back to back. Is that an outright dynasty? We can have that debate if you'd like. Three and four years is not debatable. It would be one of the greatest coaching and team accomplishments in all of American sports in the past three decades. If they can do it. Michigan is a, is a beast of a matchup there. So I think Caravan's got to play well. I know our live chat was mentioning that before. I agree. His final game, I think it's really, really cool that Caraban gets to this point. He's not the only one, but him specifically, like, he knows what the final game of his college career will be. Not a lot of players get that opportunity. And so he didn't play at his best or nowhere near it against Illinois. I think that he'll take a lot on his shoulders as well. And we'll see what, we'll see what, you know, Dan Hurley can scheme up against Michigan. Let's talk a little bit more Huskies gp, if we could. Michigan has a bevy of ways that it can win the game. It can just dominate inside and see if it can, you know, between Londonborg, who's going to be fine with the imaging there and be able to go. He'll be sore, but should be fine. Can Mara, if they win and Mara goes big again, like he's going to be, he's going to be the mop and rightfully so. Is this mirage Johnson's, you know, moment to step up, or do we have Ellie Cadou and him being the head of the snake, does he get his own little bit of redemption? There's just so much to love about the Michigan team. And here it is one win away from a second national championship in program history. Dusty May getting to this night after missing it by a mere second three years ago. They've got the number one defense in the country. They've had some of the most dominant wins of any team in the country. And they're just, they're a really fun group to cover. You know, I got to see them back in November, got to see them win at Purdue. Really tight, connected group. It is on the table that Michigan mows down another opponent, scores 90 plus wins by 13, 15, 19 again. And we're you know, booting up the pod machine early early Tuesday morning, deep into the night and talking about one of the all time champions. Just your overall impressions on, on Dusty May side of it as we, as we ready for Monday night. Because they've, they've got, they've got some real, real, real historical stuff at their back and, and one more win puts them in a special conversation.

[Gary Parish]

As I say things like, it's very hard for me to wrap my head around the idea that Dan Hurley and his staff and those players in that program won't find themselves a way to be in this game, you know, at the under eight. As, as much as I do believe that I can acknowledge that we might just be watching something where we look up at the end and go, buddy, that was just a different deal. Like there was just nothing anybody was going to be able to do with them. We've done that before. I think with a Yukon team, like there's just nobody was going to beat them, man. And you could keep trying to figure out ways somebody might similar vibes with this Michigan team.

[Matt Norlander]

No doubt about it.

[Gary Parish]

You get every time you're like, well, you know, if Zach Edie can step up and it's just, it's a. They, they're just. That UConn team was a different animal and we might find out this Michigan team is just a different animal because the front court gets so much attention because they're awesome and they're all pros. They're all going to be first round draft picks. Like Michigan's entire front court will be drafted in the, in the first round.

[Matt Norlander]

Yeah.

[Gary Parish]

And as long as NBA franchises know what they're doing. All right, so that's an NBA front court and it gets all of the attention and I understand why, but among the reasons it's the NBA front court is because they're real athletes who can run. And so that's what makes Michigan so devastating. They play big, but they also play ridiculously fast. It's the top 25 tempo in America. And so they run off of misses obviously. And they run off of turnovers clearly. But they, they'll run off makes. I mean they're just running all the time and they're bigger and stronger than you. And then they got a 7 foot 2 center who can move and also catch anything. And he finishes just awkwardly all the time. Like he catches a ball and you're like. And he just finishes it and it's like over here it's like, ah, he's not, he's going to have to come down with that. No, he just finishes it. And so when they get out running, they're faster than you and bigger than you and more athletic than you. So good luck. And then if you happen to, you know, get them into a half court situation, they're going to get it to the. I mean they'll punish you there too. So it's just an awesome team. All the numbers underline that. I mean you're talking about the number one defense in America, top four offense in America. They're great. From two, you know, still top 25 in the country, above 37% from three. Like there aren't really any flaws with this team other than they might be banged up right now. They missing their backup point guard, L.J. cason, as you know. And now you know, their star is, is at least hobbled and obviously not going to be 100%. Perhaps that is the thing more than anything else that dictates the, dictates the outcome of this game. But at full strength, healthy, this team has been really, really hard for anybody to not only deal with but like keep in the game.

[Matt Norlander]

Yeah, no doubt. Let me give you, let me give you just a couple of, of like first look notes and nuggets here. These teams have never met in the tournament in their history. Connecticut 60 all time in the national championship game. Michigan has the worst record of any team in title game history with a minimum of four appearances. One in six. That just. That doesn't matter as it pertains tomorrow. That's just a historical difference here to this point. Michigan has outscored its opponents by 108 points through five games. UConn is plus 41. So that gap is tied for the largest overall margin of victory gap between two teams playing in a title game. With Loyola Chicago's win over Cincinnati back in 63, their combined 70 wins is tied for the second most between two teams that will square off with the national title on the line. In the history of the tournament. This is the first time since 2019 that the title game will feature two team. Both teams did not win their respective conference tournaments. Virginia and Texas Tech did not win their conference tournaments in 2019 when they, when they squared up in. In that one this season. Let's see. I just want to give you a Couple more here GP. If the UConn does win, they'll be the first team since UCLA 72 to 75, three titles in four years. Alex Caravan will be the only non UCLA player ever to win three titles in a four year span. That Would be. That would be incredible. I put this in my column overnight on UConn going back to the 23, 24 season. I gotta look, I want to give you the exact gp. I want to give you the exact number here. National semifinals and title games. UConn since 2023. They have played 200 total minutes and trailed for a combined 13 minutes and 39 seconds since then. Over. Under UConn trailing 13 minutes and 40 seconds against Michigan on Monday.

[Gary Parish]

I mean, over. Right. I mean that seems like. I don't know if it's right, but that's. That's the right answer. I don't. That's the right prediction at least. Right?

[Matt Norlander]

Yeah, you would have to, you'd have to lean on, on that one there. We'll see it just. That's just, that's an astounding stat. Not even 14 minutes of game time. In all final foreign title games since 23, UConn has trailed. Period. So that's just a couple of initial notes here. I got some other stuff, but I don't want to bother to actually give me. I'll give you a couple on Michigan here. We talked about that last night. The one seed, one seed point differential. This one is bonkers. I tweeted it. Michigan's point differential of 51 points in the Elite Eight and the Final Four, it is the best since UCLA in 1968. That's one of the best teams in the history of college basketball. And had Luwell Cinder, who's the greatest college player there ever was, that was on that team. So when we discussed this Michigan team and how utterly dominant it is, and I think part of the story is now is what it did to Arizona. It almost feels like five years from now, ten years from now, Arizona's greatness might be a little bit forgotten after the fact because of the result in this game. That was an awesome, awesome team in Michigan just completely tossed them to the side. Extremely, extremely dangerous. And like they're on the doorstep of being an all time team. So that's just some general stuff. Setting up the stage for tomorrow night between two coaches who are like, Dan Hurley is the face of the sport, I'd say. But Dusty may, by virtue of getting to two final fours, doing what he did at fault, two year turnaround at Michigan and everything that comes with being the head coach at Michigan Big Ten program. Like he's probably. I, I won't say he's top five. There's a lot of famous coaches in this sport. But he's probably moved into like top 10 status of recognizability in a hurry. And he's not yet even 50. So he's part of that next wave of coaches. And if you want to call Hurley on that for sure there's like I think four years separating them. But I think there's something emblematic about specifically the two coaches that are involved in this game as well. And there may be something, you know, tied to that too.

[Gary Parish]

Well, I mean we could look up in say 10 years, 15 years and this was like a, you know, Mike Krzyzewski vs Roy Williams type of matchup or like these, these are two guys, when we look back on it, man, those were two of the all time greats and they have, remember in 2026, they coached in the title game against each other. That could, absolutely, that could be a real thing. I mean, Dan's already got two titles, Dusty's already got two final Fours at two different schools and there's no reason to think either one of them are slowing down. And the other thing I like about this, like those two men being such important figures in the sport, like we've known both of them for, you know, a long time. I'm at least around the same age as them and they're both such different personalities. They just carry themselves and conduct themselves in different ways. And I don't even say one's right, one's wrong, one's good, one's bad. I'm just saying I like that they're, they're themselves and they're very comfortable in their own skins and, and they, they carry themselves a certain way and just everything about I, I hope we get a good game. I hope we get a competitive game because if we don't, by the way, this is going to be looked back on as like, yeah, D D dud. That's what you know, it will, it will.

[Matt Norlander]

It does help. Like not that you, but like even Yukon getting the title game to this point is just like cherry on the top stuff. To your point about how they conduct themselves, especially during the games. Like you want to talk about polar opposites on just sideline Demeter. Although I will say Dusty's like, he's a really, really good chat. Especially like off the record, like he was busting my balls and giving me, giving me a playful grief before we went on hq. Cameras on and he's like, he's the Michigan coach. Dan Hurley is like showing the beads on his wrist. He's, he's telling, he's saying my wife half assed this. He's super superstitious. He's. He's going. I'm going grimy tomorrow. Showing me the inner lining of his sleeves. Like, he's just so always. You're always getting Hurley. No matter what their personalities are, they're both. I love them both for who they are, but they, but they are different people. That's.

[Gary Parish]

Yeah, I'm same. And like, I remember what you said about Dusty having that experience with Rick Barnes one time. I had been around Rick so much when he was at Texas, I was like, what? This guy's hilarious. Like, he would be great on radio. And I was like, Rick, you got. Whenever there's a reason for you to be on Memphis radio, you got to come on Memphis radio. And then they were like playing Memphis or something and I brought him on and he was Rick Barnes, Texas coach. And I was like, no, be Rick Barnes at the lunch table. I like, Rick Barnes at the lunch table is hilarious. Rick Barnes, Texas coach was like just, you know, talking about DJ Augustine or something. And so Dusty can, can flip it on and flip it off where Dan doesn't even bother. He doesn't even. He has no interest in flipping it

[Matt Norlander]

on, flipping it off.

[Gary Parish]

He just. He is, he is, he is as you see him. And I appreciate that as well. So what I was gonna say. And then we're gonna pick it and get on with the rest of our days.

[Matt Norlander]

I think I got like eight minutes there. Yeah, let's roll.

[Gary Parish]

All right, so what I was gonna say is I hope we get a good game because if not, this will be remembered as Dud. Dud. Dud. But on regard, like heading into it, this has all of the stuff I like. Like I never really look for what's the best team against the best team. I mean, I'll watch that obviously, but I like, like, what's the best story that we could create from this thing that we're about to do? And in this one you got all the stories. I mean, again, best team against best program. Two youngish coaches on the rise that could clearly go down as all time greats. Terrace Reed against his former team. The injury component where like, think about this. What if Yaxel comes off the. It goes like 24 and 14. I mean like, that's all time like, yeah, like March Madness legend stuff. And so going in, we have the ingredients for all of the. To make the best story. And so I hope we get a game to, to go along with it. We'll pick it next first get another word from our partners. This is Gary Parish I have a confession. That confession is that sometimes, yeah, I hit an afternoon wall. Say, in between doing the Ion College basketball podcast and, you know, walking to the broadcast center for a night in studio, I realized I probably didn't get enough rest. I need some caff. I want something sweet, but not like some big sugary drink. And that's why I'm obsessed with the new fruity rainbow shots from five Hour Energy. They seriously taste like a handful of classic rainbow candy. Bright, juicy and fun, but with a caffeine kick built in. It's like caffeine finally got that flavor glow up it always deserved. It was 17 flavors total in the five hour energy lineup. There is something for every mood, but this fruity rainbow launch is all about that bold, sweet, fruity chaos. What do I love most? It's the big flavor in that tiny portable two ounce bottle. I can throw it in my bag, keep one in my car, stash it at my desk golf bag. It's no bulky can, no sticky wrappers, no sugar crash. It's a zero sugar treat that's totally sweet tooth approved. So it feels indulgent, but it's actually practical. If you're gonna grab caffeine anyway, it might as well taste like candy. Get candy Flavored Chaos with fruity rainbow 5 Hour Energy shots available online at 5 Hour Energy.com or Amazon. March is here. And if you've ever followed the tournament, you know one thing, the only predictable thing is the chaos upsets buzzer beaters, Cinderella runs. It's the best kind of unpredictable. And that's exactly why DraftKings Sportsbook, the number one sportsbook for live betting, is built for March. The tournament is unexpected. Rewards are guaranteed, and DraftKings Sportsbook is delivering some of the most generous rewards in the market. What I like about Draft it is the live betting. With DraftKings, the number one sportsbook for live betting, you're not betting on what might happen later. You're betting on what's happening right now. While the game unfolds, momentum shifts, big plays last second drama. You can get in on the action as it happens. And if you're new to DraftKings, it's the perfect time to jump in. Just bet $5 and get 200 in bonus bets instantly. Download the DraftKings sportsbook app now and use code I. That's code I. Eye to turn five bucks into 200 in bonus bets instantly in partnership with DraftKings. The crown is yours. Gambling problem. Call 1-800- Gambler or 1-800-MY-SET, New York call 877-8-HOPE NY or text Hope NY Connecticut call 888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org on behalf of Boot Hill Casino in Kansas. Wager Text Pass through May apply in Illinois 21 in most states. Void in Ontario restrictions apply. Bonus bets expire seven days after issuance. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see sportsbook.draftkings.com promos Limited time offer.

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[Gary Parish]

Okay Norlander, the time has come. You can't put it off any longer. Who are you taking in Monday's national championship game? Are you going With Michigan because you hate UConn. Are you going with UConn because you hate. Because you hate Michigan?

[Matt Norlander]

Yeah. I'm in a tough spot either way, right? Much to the dismay of Michigan's staff, I am taking the Michigan Wolverines to win this game. I have seen just about enough. Although if it was ever appropriate for one team to shut it down and get another win, it would be UConn. And I know you said something along those lines on. On the air last night as well. I will go Michigan. I'll go Michigan. I'll say a daimara.

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I want your.

[Matt Norlander]

I want your mop prediction as well. I do think we get a competitive game. I do think Connecticut makes it a much better watch than Arizona did. If that doesn't happen, if Michigan wins again and takes it, say 92 to 71, will I be shocked? No, that was actually. I think that's close to what the score was last night. 91.73. But I'll even give you a score. I'll say. I'll say UConn top 10 defense. I say they, they are able to muck it up to a certain degree, but Michigan still finds a way to get it. They won't hit 90. They've hit 90 in five games in row in the tournament. They won't hit 90. I'll say. I'll say Michigan 78, Yukon 72.

[Gary Parish]

I think if you've listened to the first 38 minutes of this, you know what I'm about to say. I'll take Michigan to win the game. If I were playing it in the betting markets, the number right now is UConn+6 and a half. The total is 144.5. I would take UConn the points probably out of just respect for the program. Respect for the defense. Yeah. Respect for the coaching staff, the leader of which carries around an iPad non stop so that he can.

[Matt Norlander]

Hey, it worked for him yesterday. He had it again right before I did the pod.

[Gary Parish]

Hey, on the cart.

[Matt Norlander]

What's he doing face down in the pad?

[Gary Parish]

Hey, it worked. So. So out of respect for all of that, and I mean that sincerely, like that staff and this program and those players are good enough to give us a game, even if all of the data points suggest this should go a certain direction. But when you factor in, I'll just quote Dusty, their championship DNA, because I do think that's a real thing. I think that kind of stuff matters. Like, Dan went out of his way last night to say we are comfortable in these situations and My God, he's what, 18 and what is it now? 18 and one in the past four NCAA tournaments.

[Matt Norlander]

18 and one. Yes, 18, one. And the only loss came against the eventual champions by two in one of the best games of last year's tournament.

[Gary Parish]

That is out. That's outrageous. And that is the type of thing where you can puff your chat out, chest out a little bit and say, yeah, I'm better at this than other people. Like, I. You know, we could do the whole season stuff. You want to shouts to Rick Patino for getting a Big east title and all that, but, like, when we get to this thing, I'm better. I'm better at this than. Than everybody else. Like, if Dan said that, and he might. Oh, my God, he might never know. Yeah, if he said that, you know what I'd say? I'd retweet it. Like. Like, if you go to 19 and one in four years in this thing, hey, you could say whatever you want.

[Matt Norlander]

If they do it, I'll save it for the show. Gotta do it. We'll see. But no. Loud and clear for the Michigan men's basketball team. I'm picking you to win the national championship. Hey, Michigan staff picking Michigan to win the game to beat UConn on Monday night.

[Gary Parish]

Okay.

[Matt Norlander]

Could not be more clear than that. All right. No more. No more lies to the players. I've had enough of this. The egregious. Erroneous. Erroneous on all accounts.

[Gary Parish]

I will also take Michigan to win the game. I would take UConn with the points. I hope we get a. I hope that at the under four, we're like, man, this is it. This is it. This is. This is what we wanted. I hope that's where we're at either way, like, just can't wait to get there. And we're the plan at this point, if you're curious. I got another show coming up. 4:00 clock Eastern, 3:00 clock Central. So I gotta get moving.

[Matt Norlander]

Yeah.

[Gary Parish]

CBS Sports Network will have the outdoor sets. Two different sets, one on the stage, one on the court again from 4 to 5:30. Oh, it was so cold last night. Yeah, it's 40 degrees outside. It's very.

[Matt Norlander]

Yeah, that's a problem. Dude. I. I packed for that. We got it. We really gotta get moving. And I want to say something, One thing on a boozer before I bounce, because I gotta go interview Dusty, but I packed for this. And I'm actually, on some level, I'm happy that it's cold because I packed for this. I Packed the gear. But you're not happy right now because you got to be outside.

[Gary Parish]

I have everything that I would need to do television in this weather stuff to go layering under the suit. Nice coat, nice scarves, buddy. I could look really sharp on TV and I didn't pack none of that stuff. And I didn't wasn't concerned when I saw the weather because I was like, man, I've been to Indianapolis a Bud. They got that Center City Mall. Oh man, I don't know if you walked in that Center City Mall lately, but I don't people go to malls very much because there ain't much anymore. And so yeah, I'm just gonna tough it out. If the worst thing that happens to me today is that I got to be kind of cold for 90 minutes talking on television about basketball. I'm doing pretty good. All right. I'm doing pretty good. But you asked the question. Yes, it is cold.

[Matt Norlander]

It is.

[Gary Parish]

I'm not complaining but it is cold. So we're gonna do that from 4 to 5:30 tomorrow. We've got our pregame show on CBS Sports Network. Check your local listings and then we'll do the game and then we'll do an hour long postgame on CBS Sports Network and the Norlander and I will be back. It's probably around if we're being honest. Same time as it was last night. Let's go. 115, 130.

[Matt Norlander]

We don't even know it will be as quickly as we can possibly do it. As a reminder, if you want the best like in depth, everything. CBS Sports Network, CBS Sports hq. We have all of it covered. I'll have you know, interviews afterward on the court with the winning team and the winning players, all that before we get out of here real quick. I did present Cam Boozer with the national Player of the Year award. Also represented from the ap. Did it. We did it today. I actually got to sit backstage with Cam for like a good 10, 15 minutes with his family. He has four orbital fractures in his eye. He is not getting surgery. Opted against that is, you know, adjusting in real time. But he actually looked better than I expected. Definitely a lot of bloodshot on the eye. You know wanted to want to send. You know, I wish I was talking to you in a uniform right now. And I, I totally get that.

[Gary Parish]

What he had been able to play this weekend.

[Matt Norlander]

Did not ask him that. Good question. Didn't ask. I mean it's like you know, they want to twist the knife. I think he would have got a mask on mask on the whole deal. But super impressive family appreciated him coming out to get to get these awards. He won not just AP but Naismith as well and Oscar Robertson national player of the year. And this is 70th year and now. Yeah, you know, so now he prepares for the next steps there, but he is doing relatively well, all things considered. And the eye was looking better than I was expecting. A lot of the swelling had gone down and he even had time for a couple laughs and smiles there before he took the podium. So that was a really cool moment. I enjoyed that very much. But that is your, that's your cam boozer up there and I want to just toss that in because it was also what I did right before the pod. And that's it for me. That's a show I need to run. And interview Dusty May in less than 10 minutes.

[Gary Parish]

Shouts to Devin Downey. Shouts to Chester, S.C. terry Teagle. Legend Huck Larnell. Thank you guys once again for watching listening to the Ion College Basketball Podcast. You're not subscribed. Please go subscribe anywhere you subscribe to podcasts like Apple and Spotify. There's more of us than there are of them.

[Matt Norlander]

Oh my gosh. Can't believe that happened.

[Gary Parish]

Make sure that's reflected in the comments

[Matt Norlander]

and in the hotel window, apparently.

[Gary Parish]

Buddy, I think they've calmed down over there now.

[Matt Norlander]

All right.

[Gary Parish]

I think they did.

[Matt Norlander]

Oh, yeah, it was about like 25 minutes ago. That makes sense.

[Gary Parish]

Yeah, it makes sense. That makes sense. He did his best. I guess he probably did his best. You, you, you handle the comments and we'll talk to you again late Monday, early Tuesday after we have a national champion. Till then, take care.

[Matt Norlander]

Foreign.

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