Fredette picks Michigan to win NCAA title
Jimmer Fredette, the BYU scoring sensation from the 2011 NCAA Tournament, predicts Michigan will win the men's basketball championship. The former Cougars star foresees the top-seeded Wolverines defeating Arizona in Saturday's Final Four semifinal, followed by a title-game victory over Illinois. Fredette shared his bracket outlook in an interview ahead of the games at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Michigan advanced with four double-digit tournament victories, including a 95-62 Elite Eight rout of No. 6 Tennessee on March 29, 2026, at Chicago's United Center. Forward Yaxel Lendeborg has averaged 25 points per game in the tournament after posting 15.2 points during the regular season. Fredette cited the Wolverines' unique length and size under coach Dusty May, who reached the 2023 Final Four with Florida Atlantic.
"I honestly have Michigan right now. I have Michigan winning it all," Fredette said. He praised their versatility, few losses and the competitiveness of their defeats. "Their length and their size is so unique. They can play multiple different ways, but that just poses a real problem for people, especially in the tournament."
The semifinals begin Saturday with No. 3 Illinois against No. 2 UConn at 6:09 p.m. ET, followed by No. 1 Michigan versus No. 1 Arizona. Fredette expects Illinois to upset UConn, setting up a Michigan-Illinois final. Arizona enters with two losses in a demanding Big 12 schedule, while UConn arrives off a victory over No. 1 Duke and Illinois after beating Iowa.
