The No. 1 seed Michigan and No. 2 seed UConn will tip off at 8:50 p.m. Eastern time, with the game being broadcast on TBS and truTV in the United States. Disney+ is the primary streaming service for the tournament for fans in every international region. Fans in Europe and the Middle East can also catch games on DAZN, while those in Canada can stream on TSN+.
Now, let's see who our experts picked!
Eric: Michigan 85-76 UConn
Michigan set an NCAA tournament record with five straight games scoring 90+ points and absolutely decimated fellow No. 1 seed Arizona during the Final Four. The Wolverines are 6.5-point favorites for a reason. But a team hasn't scored 90+ points in the title game since 1990, when UNLV defeated Duke 103-73.
UConn, widely known for their defense this season, has allowed just over 40% shooting to opponents and hasn't given up more than 75 points to a team this tournament, something even Michigan hasn't done.
However, Michigan is shooting a whopping 51% this season and have averaged just over 84 points in their last 10 games, while their opponents average just over 72 points, which is one above what the Huskies averaged (71) in that same span of games.
The one saving grace that UConn has over Michigan is head coach Dan Hurley's experience. He's 2-0 in championship games, winning both by double digits, while the program itself has advanced to their third title game in the past four years as one of the true blue bloods of the sport. So, if there's anyone who can figure out a way to stop Michigan, it's Hurley.
Not this time, though. Michigan didn't have to claw their way through the rough to the title game like UConn has - they flat-out dominated and I just can't imagine a scenario where that all of a sudden stops now.
Michaela: Michigan 79-71 UConn
The dominant, hungry Michigan Wolverines meet the experienced, gritty UConn Huskies in the national championship. Michigan has stormed through the tournament, scoring over 90 points in every game and standing just one win away from history. But despite being the underdog, UConn won’t make it easy.
The Huskies have one of the top defenses in the country, built on discipline and toughness. They shrink space, disrupt passing lanes, and contest every shot. The Wolverines must keep their rhythm, share the ball, and capitalize on their size advantage – they have been a powerful force in the paint, and they must play the game inside.
UConn must compensate for the lack of height and strength by knocking down their three-point shots and boxing out with precision. Second-chance points could give Michigan the edge. Despite the Huskies playing with tenacity, forcing turnovers, and displaying unbelievable determination and scrappiness in the do-or-die scenario, Michigan will prevail and outlast UConn with their physicality, execution, and rebounding.
David: Michigan 81-74 UConn
Based on how this March Madness tournament has gone, it is something of a contrasting story heading into tonight's final.
On the one hand, there is the Michigan Wolverines, who are scoring for fun at this point and showing absolutely no mercy to their opponents. They bullied the Arizona Wildcats in their Final Four game on Saturday, beating a team who had previously gone unbeaten in neutral-site games. That was the highlight of what has otherwise been a remarkable showing from the Wolverines over the last few weeks.
They are surely the favorites for this national championship game.
On the other hand, we have a UConn team who are incredibly fortunate to even be in this match. For much of the tournament, the Huskies did not sparkle. Down by as many as 19 points in their stunning Elite Eight comeback, Dan Hurley's team has shown they know how to dig deep.
Based on how the teams have played across the whole tourney, Michigan should be seen as the favored pick. After all, they seem quite comfortable in scoring, and scoring a lot. However, UConn are in their third final in four years, and have again gritted in returning to this point.
I am going with the Wolverines, but we should be in for a much closer game this time around. Then again, we all thought the same when Michigan faced Arizona.