The Michigan Wolverines and UConn Huskies will meet in tonight’s national championship game, but lingering injuries could determine who cuts down the net.
Injury Updates for the National Championship Game
Michigan got some positive news on the injury front this week, but there are still questions heading into the title game. Forward Yaxel Lendeborg, who is dealing with knee and ankle injuries that he suffered in the Final Four game against Arizona, is expected to play Monday night against UConn. According to head coach Dusty May, imaging came back clean with no structural damage.
Lendeborg saw limited action in the Final Four, playing just 14 minutes against Arizona. While the clean MRI is encouraging and it’s good news that he will play, it remains to be seen if he’ll be at full strength or able to play his usual 30 minutes per game. Regardless, his availability gives the Wolverines a foundational piece for the championship game.
Elliot Cadeau should be good to go as well after an allergic reaction forced him to stay behind while the team traveled to the Final Four. Fortunately, the guard managed to play against Arizona, finishing with 13 points, 10 assists, and 4 steals despite struggling with turnovers (6) and his shot (5-of-17 from the field).
Depth, though, is where the cracks start to show. L.J. Cason’s season ended with a torn ACL. Winters Grady hasn’t been available for months. Charlie May’s thumb injury only adds to the list.
Meanwhile, UConn has its own injury concerns, mainly centered around Solo Ball. The guard has been a reliable player for them, averaging 12.9 points per game and often stepping up during clutch moments.
However, Ball sprained his foot in the Final Four and he was seen wearing a walking boot after the game. Ball is expected to play tonight, but whether he can play effectively is the real question.
If Ball is limited, the ripple effects are immediate. His scoring, spacing, and timing will be tough to replace on college basketball’s biggest stage.
If he is limited, Malachi Smith would likely take on more responsibility, and UConn still has the structure of a team that knows how to win in April. But Michigan is a juggernaut and the Huskies know their best chance of upsetting the Wolverines is at full strength.
There are, at least, smaller pieces of good news for the Huskies. Silas Demary Jr. is good to go, even if not at full strength as he plays through a high ankle sprain, and Jaylin Stewart has worked his way back into the rotation after missing several weeks due to knee inflammation.
Michigan and UConn will square off on Monday at 8:50 p.m. ET and the game will air on TBS, truTV, and HBO Max.
2026 NCAA Men’s National Championship Game Preview
What to Expect From the UConn Huskies
What the Huskies are trying to do is nothing short of historic. Winning three national titles in four years will put them in rarified air and cement Dan Hurley as one of the greatest coaches in modern basketball history.
The most-recent obstacle in their path was a No. 3-seeded Illinois team that had been one of the most consistent squads in the entire tournament. But a balanced attack from the Huskies proved too much for the Fighting Illini.
UConn was once again led by Tarris Reed Jr., who finished the game with 17 points and 11 boards. Braylon Mullins chipped in 15, including another critical 3-pointer after his exploits helped UConn pull off a miraculous comeback win against Duke in the Elite Eight.
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Strong inside play and a tough defensive effort helped guide them to the national championship game, as they held the Illini to 62 points on the night. Now, they will attempt to win their seventh national title in program history.
It would also mark the third championship win for Hurley, who would become the only active Division I men’s basketball head coach with more than two titles to his name.
How the Michigan Wolverines Reached the Title Game
With two No. 1 seeds colliding, it would have been fair for fans to assume that they were tuning in for a classic in the Final Four clash between Michigan and Arizona. Instead, what they got was a one-sided beatdown from the Wolverines.
Taking an early lead, they dominated their way to a 91-73 victory over the Wildcats and it never felt particularly close. However, for the Wolverines, the night may not have been complete euphoria, as they walked away with a significant injury.
Yaxel Lendeborg, who’s already earned an All-American spot and has made a case for himself to be the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament, came away with a sprained ankle and injured knee after landing on a defender’s foot.
While he was still able to add 11 points in 14 minutes and he’s expected to play tonight, it remains to be seen if he’s hobbled or on a minute restriction. Fortunately for Michigan, the Wolverines have an extremely balanced offensive attack and became the first team in NCAA Tournament history to eclipse 90 points five times.
A double-digit lead less than six minutes into the game sold the story of the game, as Arizona couldn’t get anything going on offense. Eventually, the Wolverines were able to slam the door shut.
Now, they walk into the national championship game trying to prevent history as they face another battle-tested group in UConn.
