Michigan and Arizona will play the headlining Final Four game on Saturday night (8:49 p.m., TBS) in a battle of KenPom No. 1 vs. No. 2, and a matchup of top-five teams in offensive and defensive adjusted efficiency.
The Wildcats and Wolverines haven’t dipped lower than No. 3 on KenPom since Christmas, and the winner of their semifinal duel will have the chance to play on Monday as a favorite to cut down the nets.
These two teams aren’t identical, but they have the same goals and, for the most part, the same results. They are also going to be facing a team that can line up across from them and look the part — something that neither team has seen much of.
More on Michigan-Arizona:
- First Look: Arizona Wildcats
- Video & Quotes: Dusty May Thursday Final Four Press Conference
- Film Room: Scouting the Arizona Wildcats
- Report Card: Midwest Regional
We’ll dive into the ins and outs of the matchup, but that’s the most significant factor at play. Which team’s loaded frontcourt can stand out against their equal, which team’s pros will outplay the other’s, and who will adjust faster to playing against a team that’s every bit as physical in the paint?
In this preview
- The Wildcats
- Personnel
- Keys
- Bottom Line
Preview
Keep reading with UM Hoops
Read this story and every game preview and recap, in full.
UM Hoops
$60/year
Every preview and recap, plus the forum.
- Every game preview and recap, in full
- The members' forum
- All the games
- Ad-free reading
First-year offer
UM Hoops+
$80 $100 /first year
Everything, including the Data Hub and Locker Room.
- Everything in UM Hoops
- The Extra Pass every Thursday
- Game Day Live and the Data Hub
- Film Room and the complete Locker Room
Cancel anytimeAlready a member? Log in
Join the conversation · 231 replies on the forum