#1 Michigan vs. #1 Arizona Picks and Predictions: Final Four
Written by: Nate Hornung
Published: Thu Apr 02, 2026, 9:15 pm ET
Read Time: 6 minutes
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While the actual National Championship is on Monday at Lucas Oil Stadium, some might argue (me) that the real thing is Saturday night as our two top seeds battle in the Final Four. Dusty May and the Midwest Region Champions, the No. 1 Michigan Wolverines battle Tommy Lloyd and the West Region Champions, the No. 1 Arizona Wildcats. The top seeded Wildcats also won the Big 12 regular season and the conference tournament, but are they done yet? Find out what our CBB experts like in this game with their picks below.
Check out our March Madness Betting Guide to get in on all the action this month!
Best Bet: Arizona ML (-102) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
Go check out what else I've got on my daily card, and view the latest odds at the best online sportsbooks.
#1 Michigan Wolverines vs. #1 Arizona Wildcats NCAA Basketball Insights
Can the Wolverines get to their first National Championship since losing in 2018?
Since very early on in the season, we knew these two were the teams to beat. Arizona upset the defending National Champion Florida Gators to start the season and never looked back. They have non conference ranked wins over UCLA, @ UConn, vs. Auburn (haha) and Alabama. Not to mention BYU (twice), Kansas, Iowa State (twice) and Houston (twice). But Michigan has been just as good.
Michigan was the team to beat in November after 30, 40, and 41 point wins in the Player's Era Festival in Las Vegas during Feast Week. The teams combine for an incredible 71-5 record this season, with their only losses coming to other tournament teams. Wisconsin at least made it, Kansas and Texas Tech won a game, and Purdue and Duke made it to the Elite Eight. Pretty good losses for each side, but in this one, a defeat would end their season. Get ready for a thriller as the stakes have never been higher.
Matchup Information – Michigan vs. Arizona – April 4
- Venue & Location: Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis, IN)
- Date: Saturday, April 4, 2026
- Tip Off: 8:49 p.m. Eastern
- Broadcast: TBS/truTV/HBO Max
Michigan vs. Arizona Betting Odds
Odds are courtesy of Lucky Rebel, one of our favorite online sportsbooks, as of April 2, 2026 at 8:43 p.m. eastern. Sign up today with and get a $1,250 deposit bonus, as well as 50 slot spins immediately. Lucky Rebel Sportsbook offers a wide variety of unique markets across nearly every sport imaginable.
Spread
- Michigan -1.5 (-107)
- Arizona +1.5 (-113)
Moneyline
- Michigan -119
- Arizona -102
Total
- Over 157.5 (-112)
- Under 157.5 (-108)
#1 Michigan vs. #1 Arizona NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions
Brayden Burries is a future lottery pick, but he's got unfinished business in the NCAA Tournament
Michigan vs. Arizona Prediction: Arizona Wins Outright, Over 157.5
Best Bet: Arizona ML (-102) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
I think we see plenty of offense between these two teams, so I like the over. However, I will be betting on Arizona, but do your line shopping and make sure you get plus money (it's out there). It works out for me, as I have the Wildcats in my bracket and bet slip, while I do have the Wolverines in a March Madness Calcutta Pool. But the bottom line, getting either team with a plus sign next to them just to win this game is value in my eyes.
It's a coin flip. But it will certainly feel like everything is on the line, because it is. Dusty May has been to the Final Four while Tommy Lloyd hasn't. They are both great coaches with very talented teams. I just think Arizona is a little deeper. Their outside shooting can be a problem, but so can the Wolverines. They both hit the glass as good as anyone in the country, but the Wildcats do a better job of earning trips to the free throw line, which could be the difference maker in this contest.
Ultimately, I can not stress enough how badly you need to be in front of your TV ready to witness an all timer. This could be one of the best basketball games not only of the season, but in the history of college hoops. Sit back, relax, and enjoy, and let's hope the Wildcats bring their A-game against the Wolverines.
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Check Out the Other March Madness Content from Betting News
For college basketball bettors, March Madness is the most wonderful time of the year. And at Betting News, we have you covered for this festively fun season with expert picks throughout the tournament from Nate Hornung and Eddie Griffin, consensus picks for every March Madness game from the First Four to the Final Four, a rundown of the best March Madness betting sites, and more.
Also, through our streams and social media channels, you can get even more insight from Nate and other members of the Betting News team, as well as offer your own thoughts and tips for the tournament.
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Nate has been a recreational sports bettor for about 5 years. In that time, he has grown to love the pursuit of winners and sticking it to The Man. Nate loves data and uses his understanding of numbers to help him be a more profitable sports gambler, however he will be the first to tell you this game is about more than just stats.
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