Therealnational championship game. At least that's what many are callingArizonavs.Michigan's national semifinal in theFinal Four's second game Saturday.
TheWolverinesandWildcatsare the remaining No. 1 seeds and considered the two best teams remaining by most. So that should provide a banger of a game in the nightcap. Vegas can't figure it out either, with it basically a pick 'em ( Michigan at -118;Arizonaat -102).
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So who wins Saturday night? Here are our predictions:
See the best photos of Arizona basketball's run to 2026 Final Four
Arizona vs Michigan prediction
Blake Toppmeyer: Arizona. The Arizona-Michigan semifinal will be the de facto national championship game. They looked like the two best teams all tournament. Slight advantage to Arizona, a team without weakness. Everyone in the Wildcats' starting five averages in double figures scoring.
John Brice: Arizona. I'll say it: this is the national championship game. Both teams are playing their best; it's easy to tab Michigan after its evisceration of Tennessee and the early line. Give me Tommy Lloyd's blend of vets and freshman phenoms.
Jordan Mendoza: Arizona. In one of the best matchups in Final Four history, Arizona's depth comes up clutch with a big game in the paint to win a thriller.
Paul Myerberg: Michigan. In what feels like a de facto title game, Michigan's frontcourt of Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara gives it an edge in what should be a high-scoring semifinal
Eddie Timanus: Arizona. This meeting is probably taking place a round too early, but don't get me started on everything the committee did wrong with this field. Since we are getting this game, let's just hope it lives up to its billing. I had the Wildcats winning the whole thing going in, so I'll stick to my guns.
Matt Glenesk: Michigan. Billed as the real national championship game, this matchup should be awesome. Michigan has looked as good as anyone so far this tournament (along with Illinois). Arizona had a blip in the first half vs. Purdue before opening a can on the Boilermakers. There's so much talent in this one, but I'm going with Wolverines, who haven't showed any vulnerabilities this tournament.
John Leuzzi: Arizona. This one feels like a real toss-up, given how dominant both teams have looked in the first two weekends. Arizona wins in an all-time Final Four with Jaden Bradley and Koa Peat hitting big shots at the end.
Brent Schrotenboer: Arizona. Best team from the best league wins: Arizona of the Big 12. Time for the first national champion west of Kansas since 1997.
Craig Meyer: Michigan. These have been two of the three best teams in the country for much of the season and very little separates them. The Wolverines have just a little more experience in this situation, with an older roster and a coach who has been on this stage before, which will be enough for them to eke out a tight win. While it's tempting to call this the de-facto national title game, let's pump the brakes. Just ask Houston's 1983 team how that conventional wisdom worked out.
Ehsan Kassim: Arizona. This one will be an instant classic and will come down to the wire. The Wildcats escape with a close victory over Dusty May's crew.
See the best photos of Michigan basketball's run to 2026 Final Four
Arizona vs Michigan betting odds: Who is favored to win?
Odds provided byBetMGM.
Moneyline: Michigan (-118); Arizona (-102)
Spread: Michigan (-1.5)
Over/under total: 157.8
What time is Arizona vs Michigan Final Four game?
Time: 8:49 p.m. ET, Saturday, April 4.
What channel is Arizona vs Michigan? How to watch Final Four, streaming info
The game is airing on TBS, TNT, truTV, streaming via HBO Max.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Michigan vs Arizona predictions: Who wins Final Four game and why
