Jimmer Fredette picks Michigan for NCAA title
Jimmer Fredette, the BYU scoring star from the 2011 NCAA tournament, predicts Michigan will win the men's basketball championship. In an interview, the former Cougars guard selected the top-seeded Wolverines from the Midwest Region to defeat Arizona in the Final Four semifinals, then beat Illinois in the final after the Fighting Illini upset UConn.
The Final Four takes place Saturday night in Indianapolis, with UConn facing Illinois at 6:09 p.m. ET followed by Michigan against Arizona. The winners advance to Monday's championship at Lucas Oil Stadium. Fredette cited Michigan's length, size and versatility under coach Dusty May, who reached the Final Four with Florida Atlantic in 2023.
Michigan has won its four tournament games by double digits, including a 95-62 victory over No. 6 Tennessee in the Elite Eight on March 29, 2026. Forward Yaxel Lendeborg averaged 15.2 points per game during the regular season but has scored 25 per contest in the tournament. Fredette called the Michigan-Arizona semifinal a potential preview of the title game, given both teams' physicality.
Fredette expects Illinois to beat UConn in the other semifinal. He acknowledged the tournament's unpredictability, referencing upsets such as High Point over Wisconsin in the first round and VCU's overtime win against North Carolina.