The men’s Final Four is set: UConn stuns Duke and Michigan rolls Tennessee to join Arizona and Illinois in Indy

The men’s Final Four lineup finalized: UConn’s comeback against Duke and Michigan’s dominance over Tennessee secure spots alongside Arizona and Illinois in Indianapolis

The men’s Final Four has been determined, featuring high-stakes matchups that will test the limits of top teams. Two critical victories on Sunday—by UConn and Michigan—have solidified their places in the national semifinals, joining Arizona and Illinois. Meanwhile, the women’s bracket also saw its first Final Four teams named as UConn and UCLA advanced from the Elite Eight.

UConn’s dramatic win over Duke

No. 2 seed UConn executed a stunning upset, defeating top seed Duke 73-72 in a nail-biter that will be remembered for its late-game twists. With just under 10 seconds remaining, the Huskies’ defense forced a turnover from Duke’s Cadyn Boozer after an inbounds play. Braylon Mullins, a 19-year-old Indiana native, then launched a long 3-pointer to seal the victory, propelling UConn to their third Final Four in four years.

“It feels so good to go back home,” Mullins said on CBS. “I can tell you that. I’m excited. Think everyone else will enjoy it too but we’re ready for Indy.”

Despite trailing by 19 points early and struggling from beyond the arc—going 1-for-18 in the first half—UConn outscored Duke 44-29 in the second half. Tarris Reed Jr. led the charge with 26 points, helping the Huskies extend their winning streak to 54 games and improve their Elite Eight record to 25-5. Their next challenge: facing No. 3 seed Illinois in the Final Four at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Michigan’s commanding victory over Tennessee

In the Midwest Region, top-seeded Michigan overwhelmed Tennessee 95-62, showcasing their relentless offensive firepower. The Wolverines began the game with a 5:43 scoring drought but surged with a 21-0 run in the first half, turning a two-point deficit into a 22-point lead. Star forward Yaxel Lendeborg was pivotal, scoring 27 points and leading Michigan to their first Final Four since 2018.

“Yaxel is serious with that shot!”, exclaimed a fan on social media. “Mind-blowing! pic.twitter.com/0vNPqb9U5x”

Michigan’s triumph sets up a showdown against Arizona, the West Region’s top seed. The win also marks the first time a team has won its first four NCAA tournament games by double digits while scoring 90+ points in each contest. Tennessee’s third consecutive Elite Eight appearance ends with a loss, as their star junior guard Hannah Hidalgo scored 22 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the defeat.

Women’s Elite Eight action

While the men’s bracket dominated headlines, the women’s side also delivered pivotal results. No. 1 seed UConn defeated No. 6 Notre Dame 70-52 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. The Huskies’ sophomore Sarah Strong contributed 21 points and 15 rebounds in the second half, cementing their 25th Elite Eight victory and 54-game winning streak. Their upcoming semifinal will feature either No. 1 South Carolina or No. 3 TCU.

In Sacramento, No. 1 UCLA faced No. 3 Duke in a tightly contested Elite Eight game. Duke’s resilient performance pushed the Bruins to their limits, but UCLA’s depth and experience ultimately prevailed. The result ensures the Bruins advance to the Final Four, where they will compete for the title.