Michigan
Michigan’s Biggest X Factor Against Arizona in Final Four Showdown
It’s bound to be a heavyweight showdown on Saturday night between the pair of No. 1 seeds: Michigan vs. Arizona. Both teams are similar in style and build, and both teams have gone through their competition.
There will be plenty of stars on the court on Saturday night. For the Wolverines, the talk of Yaxel Lendeborg, Aday Mara, and Elliot Cadeau has filled the talk shows in recent days, but there is another player who could be Michigan’s X Factor against the Wildcats.
Despite a role decrease this season, fifth-year senior Nimari Burnett will take the court as a starter and could play a pivotal role in what happens on Saturday night.
Why Burnett is the X Factor
In Year 3 at Michigan, Burnett is playing his lowest minutes and scoring the least since he arrived in Ann Arbor — but this is also the most talented team the Chicago native has played with. Burnett is surrounded by stars and he has taken his role and run with it.
“What also makes it worth it is playing here at this stage right now,” Burnett said to the media regarding his role. “Playing with the most unselfish, the best players across the country and getting to this moment, playing in the NCAA Tournament, it means everything. And these are the goals that we set prior to the season.
“So any level of success will take a level of sacrifice. We all understand that, but we’re all committed to that one goal, which is to win a National Championship.”
While he is playing just under 20 minutes per game, and averaging 8.4 points per game — he is still one of the top shooters on the team. When taking a three-point shot, Burnett makes 38.1%, just under Trey McKenney on the team.
Arizona is going to put a lot of focus on stopping the other starting three in the game on Saturday night. But we’ve seen previously what happens when Burnett gets his footing under him and gets confident.
Burnett scored a career-high 31 points earlier this season to help Michigan beat Penn State. He has scored in double figures in three of Michigan’s four NCAA Tournament wins and the Maize and Blue will hope he can remain hot in this game on Saturday.
The 6’5″ veteran hasn’t shot the three particularly well this postseason, but playing in Indianapolis, with a spot in the national title on the line — this is where leaders emerge and unsung heroes shine.
The 2026 men’s basketball national championship game is set with Michigan vs. UConn.
And while the Huskies are going for their third national title in four years, it’s the Wolverines who enter Monday night’s final as the heavy favorite.
Michigan blasted Arizona on Saturday in a matchup of the remaining No. 1 seeds in what many thought would be the best game of the NCAA Tournament. It didn’t turn out that way, even with Wolverines star Yaxel Lendeborg dealing with an injury.
Michigan vs UConn spread, line: Who is favored to win national championship game?
Odds provided by BetMGM, as of 9:30 a.m., Sunday, April 5
- Moneyline: Michigan (-325); UConn (+260)
- Spread: Michigan (-7.5)
- Total over/under: 144.5
Michigan UConn prediction: Who will win national championship?
- Blake Toppmeyer: Michigan. The Wolverines’ total destruction of Arizona solidified that Michigan is the class of the tournament. UConn is playing well, but nobody is playing better than Michigan.
- Jordan Mendoza: Michigan. The Huskies are able to make it a competitive game, but Michigan is just too stacked. The Wolverines pull away midway through the second half and party like it’s 1989.
- Austin Curtright: Michigan. Michigan-Arizona was tabbed as one of the most-anticipated Final Four matchups in recent memory, and all the Wolverines did was dominate start to finish in a way no one has against the Wildcats this season. Michigan has defeated all of its 2026 Men’s NCAA Tournament opponents by double digits, and finds a way to do so again against the Huskies, even with a potentially limited version of Yaxel Lendeborg.
- Ehsan Kassim: Michigan. Yes, this UConn team has been impressive in the past two rounds with a big comeback vs. Duke and then shut down Illinois’ offense. Michigan is another beast, as the Wolverines have been the most dominant team in the NCAA Tournament. They pull off the win to end a couple of droughts, even with Yaxel Lendeborg playing at less than 100%.
National championship game time
The national title game between Michigan and UConn is scheduled to tip at 8:50 p.m., Monday, April 6.
What channel will the national championship game be on? How to watch, streaming info?
Monday’s national title game is on TBS, TNT, truTV and available for streaming on HBO Max, which requires a subscription, or Sling TV, which carries TBS and truTV.
Indianapolis — If Michigan wants to play for a national championship, it might have to do so without its best player.
With 8:51 to play in the first half of a Final Four game against Arizona on Saturday night, Wolverines star Yaxel Lendeborg rolled his left ankle on a drive after he stepped on the foot of Arizona center Motiejus Krivas. After hitting two free throws, he subbed out of the game and headed down the tunnel with the help of a trainer.
Lendeborg’s pain showed immediately. After he got up from falling, he walked down the court, wincing, squatting to collect himself. He tied his shoes tighter to boos from some Arizona fans before hitting his foul shots. Then he walked to the bench, down the stairs, past concerned teammates, before heading off to be evaluated.
Arizona went on a 9-0 run after Lendeborg left the game.
Lendeborg returned to the Michigan bench, walking gingerly, with about six minutes left in the first half, but did not immediately return to the game. He then returned to the locker room before the end of the half.
Late in the first half, Tracy Wolfson on the TV broadcast reported that Lendeborg’s ankle would be iced with the Wolverines possibly getting their star back for the second half.
Lendeborg was the Big Ten Player of the Year and leads Michigan with 15.2 points per game, but he played just five minutes of the game against Arizona. In the span of 1:22, he picked up two defensive fouls and had to sub out, returning at 12:57 as the Wolverines led 19-10.
Lendeborg made a 3-pointer and hauled in a rebound before leaving the game with his injury.
cearegood@detroitnews.com
@ConnorEaregood
Michigan
Flooding reported across much of Mid-Michigan after heavy rainfall overnight, several roads impassable
LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – Flooding is impacting many people across Mid-Michigan after heavy rainfall late Friday and into Saturday morning. News 10 Chief Meteorologist Darrin Rockcole says some areas of Mid-Michigan saw 1-2+ inches of rain. The Lansing area saw more rain overnight than those near Jackson and to the south.
Mid-Michigan is not out of the woods yet when it comes to rain for the rest of Saturday either, as explained in your latest First Alert Forecast. If you see flooding in your area, submit photos and videos to News 10 by clicking here.
Many major roadways are experiencing flooding, leading to several highways being shut down as water was over the roadway. Numerous flood warnings, watches and advisories are in effect across Mid-Michigan.
Here are the many reports of flooding from city and county officials across Mid-Michigan. This has led to the closing of roads across the area.
EATON COUNTY
SB I-69 just north of Potterville exit (66) was closed with water over the freeway.
Eaton County has canceled their outdoor siren test for Saturday due to the inclement weather.
Michigan State Police said on ‘X’ Saturday that numerous area roadways were flooded outside of the previously mentioned portion of I-69.
Traffic Alert! Eaton County: Due to the heavy rains in the area, southbound I-69 at Vermontville Hwy is flooded and impassable. Numerous other roads in the Eaton County area are also flooded. Troopers are reminding the public that if you do not have to go out right now, it might… pic.twitter.com/KcUzYIMOzK
— MSP First District (@MSPFirstDist) April 4, 2026
INGHAM COUNTY
I-496 was flooded between Waverly and Martin Luther King in Lansing, drivers were asked to avoid the area.
Potter Park Zoo: The zoo is closed Saturday as flooding is impacting Pennsylvania Ave in Lansing.
Ingham County has canceled its outdoor siren test for Saturday due to the inclement weather.
CITY OF LANSING
Traffic alert from the city: Reports of many streets flooded throughout Lansing. Please use caution while driving and do not attempt to drive through standing water.
CITY OF EAST LANSING
City Alert: Reports of streets flooded throughout the area and basements with backed up water. Use caution when driving. Do not attempt to drive through standing water. Check sump pumps for proper operation and monitor basements for signs of water.
CLINTON COUNTY
County siren test scheduled for Saturday has been canceled due to inclement weather. Next testing opportunity will be May 2, 2026 at noon.
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Be the first to see the Mid-Michigan headlines you care about – download the News 10 mobile app and subscribe to our News 10 newsletter and YouTube page to receive the latest local news and weather.
Copyright 2026 WILX. All rights reserved.
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