Dusty May explains Big Ten rise during March Madness
Dusty May reflects on the Big Ten’s evolving identity and dominance during this year’s March Madness tournament.
Will two Big Ten teams face off with a national championship on the line? No. 3 seed Illinois and No. 1 Michigan are on opposite sides of the Final Four in 2026, and could guarantee the Big Ten the NCAA Tournament championship with wins in the national semifinals.
The Fighting Illini take on No. 2 Connecticut, while the Wolverines face fellow No. 1 seed Arizona, each on Saturday, April 4. The winners will move onto the national championship game on Monday, April 6, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
REQUIRED READING: Final Four predictions: Who will advance to national championship game?
The last Big Ten school to win a national championship was Michigan State in 2000, Tom Izzo’s fifth season at the helm. The Huskies, meanwhile, are looking for their third national championship in four seasons under Dan Hurley, who’s quickly rising the all-time coaching ranks.
The Wildcats have won one national championship in their history, which came in 1997. They last made the Final Four in 2001, and are looking to get back to college basketball’s mountaintop.
What does Artificial Intelligence think about the Final Four in 2026? Here’s how AI predicted the two matchups to go:
AI predicts Final Four games
No. 3 Illinois vs No. 2 UConn
Microsoft Copilot is impressed with Illinois’ offense, but also thinks UConn’s veteran presence and ability to win games late is important.
“Best offense left in the tournament,” Copilot said of Illinois. “Illinois brings elite scoring versatility, with multiple shooters and one of the nation’s best offensive rebound rates.”
The AI was also complementary of true freshman Keaton Wagler, one of the top remaining players in the NCAA Tournament.
“Since their November loss to UConn, Wagler has become a top‑10 NBA prospect and a dominant scorer — far more impactful than in the first meeting,” Copilot said.
On the other hand, Copilot acknowledges Tarris Reed Jr. could be a matchup problem for Illinois, and that UConn wears teams down defensively.
“He’s averaging dominant numbers inside and could force Illinois into foul trouble or defensive adjustments,” Copilot said of Reed. “They just survived Duke on a last‑second 3 and have shown resilience in multiple close games.”
Copilot actually predicts an upset, taking Illinois in a close one.
“Illinois’ offensive versatility, improved defense, and Wagler’s rise give them the edge in a matchup where UConn’s inconsistent perimeter shooting could finally catch up to them,” Copilot said.
- Score prediction: Illinois 76, UConn 71
No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 1 Michigan
Copilot noted both teams’ dominance in the Men’s NCAA Tournament as reasons to be excited for the Final Four matchup between Michigan and Arizona, noting Michigan outscored its opponents by 90 points in March Madness to Arizona’s 82 points.
Copilot also noted Michigan’s balance, acknowledging the Wolverines rank No. 1 in adjusted defensive efficiency and No. 5 in adjusted offensive efficiency, per KenPom. It also is impressed by Yaxel Lendeborg, a first-team All-American who scored 27 points against Tennessee in the Elite Eight.
But Copilot likes Arizona’s balance and interior scoring a bit more than Michigan.
“Their starting lineup is the deepest and most balanced in the Final Four,” the AI said. “Analysts consistently note Arizona’s edge on the glass and at the rim will be key in a game this evenly matched.”
Ultimately, Copilot is going with Arizona to take down mighty Michigan for a spot in the national championship.
“This is the heavyweight fight everyone expected, but Arizona’s superior rim finishing, rebounding edge, and deeper scoring options give them a slight advantage,” Copilot predicts.
- Score prediction: Arizona 78, Michigan 74
