[Editor's Note: The Finals post is already archived under 2026, if you are a little late to the party.]

The final game was not a work of art. Actually, it was pretty ugly. How bad was it? Turns out historically poor. The combined shooting percentages were the second worst in a title game since 1950. The worst was the UConn and Butler championship in 2011. 

Ugly was the UConn game plan, which they accomplished. They slowed the game down, eliminated the Michigan fast break, battled defensively and hit shots. And they still lost. 

Michigan scored almost exclusively in the paint, leaning on their size advantage. However, UConn won the rebounding battle (46-39). Mullins suffered through a horrific shotting night, but the skinny Indiana kid went to war on the boards (along with Reed and Karaban).

Hurley is the best coach in the college game. His team had a legitimate shot at an upset if the ball bounced their way a time or two down the stretch. [Editor’s Note: I can hear you Husky fans screaming into the void about lousy refereeing. I wouldn’t have called the hook and hold, which was a turning point in the first half. Otherwise, you can’t play that physical and then complain when the refs blow the whistle. Which, in fairness, Hurley didn’t – he was quite gracious in the loss. Back to my point – what was my point?] Hurley is one weird dude. His interviews with Tracy Wolfson are bizarre. Previously, he wouldn’t shut up about the fact that someone took his ink pen. Last night, it was complaining that his suit was falling apart. Of course Hurley has a lucky suit that he has worn to all his team’s national title games. Of course it’s literally coming apart at the seams. I’ll never understand superstitions. Regardless, shout out to well-manner Hurley, the classiest UConn basketball coach by a wide margin.

Dusty May’s team won the most important prize, but his personal trophy case remains bare. Nebraska’s Fred Hoiberg won Big 10 coach of the year and Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd won national coach of the year. 

What May did was truly impressive. He had a big transfer portal budget ($10 million), but you must get the right guys and get them to play together. My team apparently spent twice that much and needed a miracle shot to get out of the first round. Let’s pause to remember who played for Michigan this season. Cadeau, the MOP, was considered a high profile bust at UNC. I remember his two seasons in Chapel Hill. His shooting was so poor, teams sagged off him so much they were practically in a different time zone. Morez Johnson couldn’t break into the starting lineup in Illinois. Mara rarely even got off the bench at UCLA. The star was Yaxel, money well spent there. Rewind to last summer and evaluate this team. Two bigs who can’t shoot! An over-sized wing, who can’t shoot either! A point guard who, you guessed it, can’t shoot. What is this, 1985? In less than a calendar year, May turned them into a juggernaut. Respect.

Cadeau, McKenney and Mara should return for Michigan. That’s a pretty good nucleus. Dusty May is filling in the blanks the traditional way, bringing in six freshmen including star wing Brandon McCoy (who just committed, making the announcement on the Fab Five alternative Final Four telecast). 

UConn should be solid with Demary, Ball and Reibe back in the fold. He adds two four-star wings from the high school ranks. Going to need to find a Reed replacement in the transfer portal.

In other news, UNC hired Mike Malone, the former head coach of the Denver Nuggets, to replace Hubert Davis. The Heels brain trust went after some of the top name college coaches, all of whom decided to stay put (as a Brinks trucks pulled away from their houses). UNC finally went outside the “family” and, surprisingly, picked an NBA coach. We’ll see how it works out. With an increasing number of programs hiring GMs, the college game is starting to resemble the pros to an even greater degree. Malone led Denver to a title in 2023 but was fired right before the playoffs in 2025. He gets some credit for Denver’s success, no doubt. Apparently, however, he’s an old school type who likes to scream. A lot. Surprising that played as long as it did (a decade) in Denver. Plenty of screamers in the college game; he should fit right in. His players, notably Jokic, also complained that his offense was stale and he refused to evolve with the rest of the league. 

Happiest of birthdays to my lovely, loving, patient and accommodating wife. The finals were on this special day last year and extended into it this season as well. It's April! March Madness needs to stay in its lane!

Patient and accommodating defined here as: March Madness widow? Forget that! I'm going to Chile!

Fortunately, she returned to Philadlephia to celebrate her birth with me and her Philly Family. 

Happy Birthday, sweetheart! I promise to get this typing out of my system before dinner tonight!

A three-way tie at the top of the leaderboard. You know what that means - road trip!

To the prototypical college town: Ann Arbor, Michigan, just east of Detroit on the banks of the Huron River. Rita can lead the tour. Although maybe not, if my experience is typical. There’s a Starbucks where the library used to be at my school.

The Ann Arbor area was originally inhabited by native people, prominently the Anishinaabe tribe. A town was founded nearby in 1824 by John Allen and Elisha Rumsey. The two communities appear to have co-existed peacefully. Indeed, the natives called their community kaw-goosh-kaw-nick, after the sounds made by the Allen sawmill.

Ann Arbor was originally called Annarbour. Allen and Rumsey’s wives were both named Ann and they tacked on arbour in recognition of the bur oak they were systematically logging. Allen and Rumsey offered 40 acres to the state of Michigan if they would establish the state capital there. They declined, choosing Lansing instead. The gift of the land to establish a college was accepted. Thus, in 1837 the University of Michigan came into existence. It is now populated with more than 50,000 students.

Get ready Leni, Rita and Akhil - Ann Arbor here you come!

Any road trip needs a sweet ride, and we booked you a 2016 Kia Sorento! And not just any 2016 Kia Sorento, the one customized to market the film X-Men: Days of Future Past, which features “claws and a beastly persona” in honor of the Wolverine character.

Unfortunately, the Looney Hotel was booked. So we pivoted to the Bell Tower Hotel, which is just what you would expect! If what you expect is a hotel across the street from a bell tower (the University of Michigan Burton Tower, which is pictured below).

The Yelp reviews are excellent. One helpful reviewer noted, excitedly, that you get an actual key. They were so enthused, they took a picture! Also, “Elizabeth thought the TV built into the mirror in the bathroom was the coolest thing ever”. Those Yelp reviewers know how to live!

It’s a nice place but, as usual, our fake budget is only enough for one room. As if you guys will be sleeping anyway! You are right next to the university, shopping, restaurants, theaters and the Diag. The Diag?

The Diag is short for the Diagonal Green, which is criss-crossed with diagonal sidewalks. It includes many historic buildings, including the President’s house (from 1839).

Who needs history when you have fairy doors. Ann Arbor is famous for miniature doors installed in shops and cafes. Children often leave notes in them for the fairies.

I suggest a stroll down Carrot Way, where 10-foot concrete carrot sculptures mark the headquarters of a food rescue program. Because, why not?

Sadly, the Liberty Street Robot Supply and Repair shop appears to be permanently closed. Go figure?

What college town would be complete without a Graffiti Alley? Not Ann Arbor, evidently!

That’s a lot! Might need to chill out at the Tiny Lions Lounge, where you can relax and read with adoptable cats. I think a few more cats would end up with homes if the “Lounge” actually served alcohol.

If you are inspired, be careful with cat hair in the 2016 Kia Sorento on the ride home.

OK, that’s a wrap! Thanks for participating. See you this time next year!!