Fredette picks Michigan for NCAA title

Jimmer Fredette, the BYU scoring sensation from the 2011 NCAA Tournament, predicts Michigan will win the men's basketball championship. The former Cougars guard foresees the No. 1 Midwest Region seed defeating Arizona in the Final Four semifinals, followed by Illinois upsetting UConn and then falling to Michigan in the final. Fredette shared his bracket projection in an interview ahead of the Final Four in Indianapolis.

The Final Four features Michigan, Arizona, Illinois and UConn competing Saturday night, with the national championship set for Monday at Lucas Oil Stadium. Michigan advanced with a 95-62 rout of No. 6 Tennessee in the Elite Eight on March 29, 2026, at Chicago's United Center. The Wolverines, coached by Dusty May in his second season, have won all four tournament games by double digits.

Forward Yaxel Lendeborg has elevated his play, averaging 25 points per game in the tournament after 15.2 during the regular season. Fredette cited Michigan's unique length and size as matchup problems. "I honestly have Michigan right now. I have Michigan winning it all," Fredette said. He noted May's prior Final Four experience with Florida Atlantic in 2023.

Michigan faces Arizona on Saturday after UConn plays Illinois at 6:09 p.m. ET. Arizona, the West Region's top seed, lost twice in the Big 12 schedule. Fredette called the Michigan-Arizona semifinal a preview of a championship matchup. UConn reached the Final Four by upsetting No. 1 Duke; Illinois advanced past Iowa despite a buzzer malfunction delay.