The four teams that advanced to the 2026 Final Four in Indianapolis are the University of Connecticut Huskies, the University of Illinois Fighting Illini, the University of Arizona Wildcats, and the University of Michigan Wolverines. The semifinal matchups are set: UConn faces Illinois and Michigan faces Arizona on April 4, followed by the national championship game on April 6. All games will be played at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The UConn victory over Duke in the Elite Eight was decided by a last-second long-range shot by freshman Braylon Mullins, completing a 19-point comeback. Illinois reached the Final Four for the first time since 2005 with a physical win over Iowa in the South Region final. Arizona advanced by defeating Purdue to reach its first Final Four since 2001, ending a long drought for the Wildcats. Michigan dominated Tennessee in the Midwest Region final, asserting itself with a strong offensive and defensive performance.
Get the latest 2026 NCAA Tournament news, check out the current betting lines for the games, and don’t miss the basketball action, all with the best odds at BookMaker!
2026 NCAA Tournament Final Four Odds at Bookmaker
Odds to Win the National Championship
Michigan Wolverines +155
Arizona Wildcats +175
Illinois Fighting Illini +440
UConn Huskies +700
UConn vs. Illinois - 6:09 PM ET
Point Spread: Illinois -2.5
Moneyline: Illinois -142, UConn +118
Over/Under: 139.5
The UConn-Illinois semifinal pits a resilient Connecticut team against a balanced, physical Illinois squad. UConn’s path to Indianapolis included a historic comeback, and its roster combines tournament experience with clutch guard play.
Illinois arrives with balanced scoring from multiple double figure contributors and interior strength that allowed control of the paint in the Elite Eight. Illinois opened as a slight favorite in early lines, suggesting respect for their ability to impose physicality and shoot efficiently inside.
UConn’s tactical discipline and experience executing in close games contrast with Illinois’ depth and scoring balance; controlling tempo and limiting turnovers will be decisive in this matchup. Illinois holds a modest edge as the projected public betting favorite, while Connecticut’s resilience under pressure complicates metrics and analysis.
Sharp money analysis of the Final Four underscores Illinois’ efficiency in controlling inside play and UConn’s high pressure defense that fueled their comeback.
Michigan vs. Arizona - 8:49 PM ET
Point Spread: Michigan -1.5
Moneyline: Michigan -120, Arizona +100
Over/Under: 157.5
The Michigan-Arizona semifinal is a high-profile matchup of two top seeds with contrasting strengths. Arizona returns to the Final Four for the first time in over two decades with an explosive offense that can overwhelm opponents in transition and on the perimeter, while Michigan entered the Final Four with a dominant performance in the Midwest Regional final characterized by balanced scoring and stifling half court defense.
Early lines opened with Arizona as a slim favorite, reflecting their offensive firepower. However, the betting market flipped to Michigan because of their discipline and defensive prowess, making this one of the tournament's closest matchups.
Wise Guys see razor thin margins between these teams and project a competitive contest. Success for Michigan hinges on controlling pace and limiting Arizona’s open three point opportunities, while Arizona must sustain offensive efficiency and tighten defensive rotations to contain Michigan’s physicality. Many gamblers see this pairing as the marquee semifinal and a likely title preview, with the winner expected to enter the championship as a favorite.
2026 Final Four Best Bets
For the Illinois-UConn game, the spread near Illinois minus two and a half points suggests an expectation that Illinois’ balanced scoring and control of the paint will be marginally stronger than UConn’s resilience and late-game execution. The total of just under 140 points implies a moderately paced game with possession control by both defenses, making the under the preferred play.
In Michigan and Arizona, the close spread and higher total suggest a higher-scoring contest with more possessions and offensive output. Michigan’s recent NCAA tournament games have featured high point totals, and Arizona’s offensive efficiency has also been strong, all of which point to the over. Arizona makes for a power underdog and a good value opportunity.
Braylon Mullins has been the catalyst of UConn’s offense and has been taking clutch shots in recent games. Targeting Mullins to exceed his points line in the Illinois game is logical, given his high usage and role in critical moments.
Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg stands out for double-digit contributions in points and rebounds. Elevated scoring and rebound totals or a double-double prop are plausible given his consistent production and high involvement in Michigan’s offense.
Main Pick: Illinois Fighting Illini and Arizona Wildcats
Over/Under Pick: Illinois-UConn Under/Michigan-Arizona Over
Player Prop Picks: Braylon Mullins Over the Points/Yaxel Lendeborg Over the Total Points and Rebounds
Make your bets now at BookMaker and get fast Bitcoin payouts, the best odds available anywhere, and don’t forget about live betting at BookMaker Sportsbook!
