Staff roundtable predictions for the Final Four, national championship

We're just a few days away from a new national champion being crowned in men's college basketball.

The Final Four round of March Madness is set for this weekend, and in the two semifinal showdowns on Saturday, we have two fascinating games. One of them will pit the last two remaining No. 1 seeds — Michigan and Arizona — against each other.

The winner of that game will likely enter the national title game as a clear favorite against the winner of the other semifinal between No. 2-seeded UConn, seeking its third national title in four years, and No. 3-seeded Illinois.

Our staff at College Sports Wire is here to bring you predictions for each of these Final Four showdowns, including our national championship and MVP picks.

Tyler Nettuno, Managing Editor

Final Four

Illinois 70, UConn 65: The Huskies are the higher seed here, but they enter this game as an underdog. It's understandable, though, given the fact that the Illini boast a ton of size and physicality that could be tough for UConn to match. It will need some strong play from guards Solo Ball and Silas Demary Jr., who has been battling injury during the tournament. UConn has team of destiny vibes, but this Illinois matchup may just be too much.

Arizona 75, Michigan 73: The Wildcats have been my championship pick from Day 1, and I'm sticking to my guns here. Both teams bring a lot of size and physicality to the table, but the difference-maker here will be the guard play from Jaden Bradley and Brayden Burries, as well as wing Ivan Kharchenkov. Koa Peat will also be a tough matchup for even a strong Michigan frontcourt. That will give Arizona enough to win a tough game.

National Championship

Arizona 71, Illinois 68: Whether it's Arizona or Michigan advancing, Illinois won't be a slouch in this game. Its depth and size is enough to compete with both, but as was the case in the matchup against the Wolverines, Arizona's backcourt production will be the difference-maker in this one. It won't be much easier than the semifinal game, but I think the Wildcats capture a national title under coach Tommy Lloyd.

MVP: Jaden Bradley

In a Final Four that will be headlined by the bigs, Bradley is the biggest X-factor in the entire field. The Big 12 Player of the Year isn't Arizona's leading scorer, but he has scored in double figures in each of the last three rounds. He shoots 37.1% from three, and if the Wildcats win the whole thing, it will likely be due to some clutch shooting from Bradley.

Matt Zemek, Staff Writer

Final Four

UConn 72, Illinois 70: Illinois might be the slightly better team, and UConn's backcourt offers considerable cause for concern, but the fact that Dan Hurley and the Huskies know how to handle the Final Four spotlight and the enormity of the event give UConn a crucial edge. Illinois might be overwhelmed by the moment. UConn won't be.

Arizona 79, Michigan 76: Michigan's best game is better than Arizona's best game, but Arizona knows how to make opponents play less than their best. Michigan usually finds a way to get a 15-2 run at some point in a game to break it open, but Arizona is so strong and consistent at both ends of the floor that the Wolverines might not find that big surge in this game. Arizona's guards should outplay Michigan's guards. As long as Lendeborg and Mara don't go absolutely crazy, Arizona should win.

National Championship: Arizona

MVP: Koa Peat

Riley Donald, Staff Writer

Final Four

UConn 73, Illinois 69: UConn feels like a team of destiny. Illinois feels like a team having the most fun of anyone. And they meet in Indianapolis. Dan Hurley is a mad scientist, and he is saving his best for this one. Illinois has size, but none of its size moves as Tarris Reed Jr. does. Keaton Wagler is great, but a week of prep for this Huskies' defense could have him dealing with pressure and intensity all night long.                      

Michigan 81 Arizona 75: There are maybe four or five teams in the country with the size Michigan and Arizona have, and the two meet in the Final Four. The skill level in this game is going to be off the charts. Arizona brings Koa Peat, Brayden Burries, and Jaden Bradley. Michigan is loaded with Yaxel Lendeborg, Aday Mara, Morez Johson Jr., and a bevvy of guards. The difference maker here on the national stage is Yaxel Lendeborg's versatility. He can play big, on the wing, and even bring the ball up. Look for Dusty May to turn to him as this one comes down the stretch.

National Championship

UConn 74, Michigan 72: UConn has four Final Four trips since 2011. UConn has four national championships since 2011. The Huskies don't lose once they get to the Final Four. Sure, this would be a rather large upset in the title game, but by no means impossible. Dan Hurley knows this moment. That isn't to say Dusty May doesn't, but the Huskies' experience and unflappability give them the edge. Alex Karaban and Solo Ball were part of the national championship teams, and this sends them out with a place on UConn Basketball Mount Rushmore, an iconic spot to be.

MVP: Tarris Reed Jr.

He has dominated all tournament long. He is the best big left in the field, and he puts it on display with two more dominant showings to help UConn firmly stake its claim as one of the sport's top dynasties. As icing on the cake, Reed played for Michigan for two seasons from 2022 to 2024. How sweet would it be to take home the MVP against his former squad?

Andrew Pistone, Staff Writer

Final Four

UConn 79, Illinois 76: On paper, Illinois would appear to have the talent edge, which has allowed them to race past every prior March Madness opponent on their way to the Final Four. Keaton Wagler’s smooth offensive game has been difficult to contain, and defenses can’t afford to send a second defender in his direction with so many other Fighting Illini weapons on the floor. With that said, UConn has shown their resilience time and time again throughout the years, and once again in the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 in 2026. If this is a close game, and it figures to be, the Huskies should be able to make the crucial play against a slightly less experienced Illinois team. Look for the Tarris Reed Jr. and Tomislav Ivisic matchup in the post to tilt the scale in either direction.

Arizona 75, Michigan 73: Some are calling this matchup the “de facto championship game”, and with good reason. Both programs have been superb from start to finish throughout this college basketball season, and both are deserving of being crowned national champions. Arizona has dominated its competition by way of a suffocating defense, anchored by Motiejus Krivas in the middle. Most teams don’t have the size to deal with Krivas or the Wildcats’ lengthy frontline, but Michigan is the exception. Aday Mara will be critical in this game on both ends of the floor in his anticipated matchup with Krivas. It’s hard to go against Michigan, but Arizona’s Brayden Burries has been on a heater during March Madness and figures to keep it rolling as arguably the best guard on the floor.

National Championship

Arizona 77, UConn 70: If it came to pass, this game would be a rematch of an early-season contest way back in mid-November. Arizona went on the road and defeated UConn 71-67 in Storrs behind 21 points from Jaden Bradley.There were some notable absences for the Huskies in that tilt; Tarris Reed Jr. and Braylon Mullins were sidelined with injuries. Reed Jr.’s presence, especially against Krivas, would be a major difference if these teams were to meet again. With that said, the confidence that Arizona gained from beating UConn in Connecticut in November is a huge factor for a young team that will look to put the finishing touches on a dominant college basketball season.

MVP: Jaden Bradley

Arizona is a popular pick to win it all, but even if they get their one shining moment, they'll have to make plays in games that will likely come down to the wire.Expect Bradley and his senior leadership to carry the Wildcats in those moments. He's come up large in crunch time all season when it’s mattered most, like in the Big 12 Tournament semifinals against Iowa State

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This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: March Madness: Roundtable predictions for Final Four, national title