The Michigan Wolverines had an unforgettable 2025-2026 season, culminating in a National Championship victory over UConn. Key moments included standout performances from Yaxel Lendeborg and Trey McKenney, making it a season to remember for fans.
Key points
Michigan Wolverines won the 2025-2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship
Yaxel Lendeborg and Trey McKenney were key players
Michigan had a strong regular season with only one conference loss
The Wolverines defeated UConn in the National Championship game
Memorable moments included significant tournament victories
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 06: Yaxel Lendeborg #23 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates after defeating the UConn Huskies in the National Championship of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 06, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) | NCAA Photos via Getty Images
The 2025-2026 Michigan Wolverines were one of the best college basketball teams of all time. For the Michigan fanbase, it was arguably the most fun season ever to watch your team. Countless plays and games are etched into my brain forever. If you had to pick just one moment from the season to be your favorite, which would you choose?
The options here are endless. Early on in the season, the Wolverines made their presence felt on a national level. Michigan won its three Players Era Tournament games by a total of 110 points. Yaxel Lendeborg put the cherry on top of the tournament with his breakaway dunk.
Yaxel Lendeborg was +49 in 27 minutes in a tournament championship win over the No. 1 team in KenPom.
â Brandon Koretz (@BrandonKoretz) November 27, 2025
The Wolverines then trounced through much of the Big Ten schedule, suffering just one conference loss in the regular season. In their first (of many) top-10 matchups of the season, Trey McKenney played the hero as Michigan escaped with a win over Nebraska.
#Michigan guard Trey McKenney hit a go-ahead shot in the final minutes to help secure a win over No. 5 Nebraska
pic.twitter.com/dUbDhSB0tp
â Charles Post (@chas\_post23) January 28, 2026
The next major moments came by way of road trips. The Wolverines knocked off Michigan State in East Lansing, Ohio State in Columbus, Purdue in West Lafayette, and Illinois in Champaign. Notable moments from these games include Dusty Mayâs calm in the face of the storm, sitting in front of the Izzone during warmups and Morez Johnson Jr. quietly dismantling a hostile Illinois crowd.
On senior night at the Crisler Center, Michigan took care of business and handled rival Michigan State. My lasting memory from this game will be Yaxel Lendeborg metaphorically breaking Coen Carrâs ankles just as Moe Wagner had done to Nick Ward eight years prior.
Yaxel Lendeborg DROPS Coen Carr and the FINISH đ€
Q&A
What were the key moments in Michigan's 2025-2026 championship season?
Key moments included Yaxel Lendeborg's breakaway dunk in the Players Era Tournament and Trey McKenney's game-winning shot against Nebraska.
How did Michigan perform in the NCAA Tournament during the 2025-2026 season?
Michigan dominated the NCAA Tournament, defeating teams like St. Louis and Tennessee, before winning the National Championship against UConn.
Who was the standout player for Michigan during their championship run?
Yaxel Lendeborg was a standout player, delivering crucial performances throughout the season and in the NCAA Tournament.
What was the final score of the National Championship game between Michigan and UConn?
The final score of the National Championship game was Michigan 91, UConn 73.
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Moving on to the Big Ten Tournament, the Wolverines sadly werenât able to capture the crown thanks to a Purdue upset. However, they did get their revenge on the sole Big Ten team to beat them during the regular season: the Wisconsin Badgers. With time winding down, Elliot Cadeau found an open Yaxel Lendeborg, who cashed the game-winning shot.
YAXEL LENDEBORG CALLS GAME đ±
MICHIGAN SURVIVES WISCONSIN AND WILL PLAY THE BIG 10 CHAMPIONSHIP TOMORROWâŒïžpic.twitter.com/p69vzpzq4I
â SleeperHoops (@Sleeper\_Hoops) March 14, 2026
As you can see, this was a pretty fun season for Michigan. We havenât even gotten to the NCAA Tournament run yet, and we have more than a few great options.
After a ho-hum, 21-point victory over 16-seed Howard, Michigan faced what was supposed to be its first real test of the postseason in 9-seed St. Louis. The Wolverines had other ideas as they thrashed the Billikens, 95-72. My favorite moment from this Round of 32 matchup was Aday Maraâs pump fake, which spun St. Louis star Robbie Avila around.
Aday Mara had Robbie Avila completely lost đ”âđ«
â Whistle (@WhistleSports) March 21, 2026
After an easy victory over 4-seed Alabama, Michigan moved on to face 6-seed Tennessee in Chicago for the right to go to the Final Four. Despite being a route, the highlight moment from this game featured Lendeborg yet again.
YAXEL LENDEBORG JUST TOOK OVER! đ€
Electrifying 3 point play from the Michigan star amongst an 11-0 run.
â Coolbet Canada đšđŠ (@CoolbetCanada) March 29, 2026
Should that have been called basket interference? Probably. Do I care one bit? Absolutely not. The Wolverines punched their ticket to Indianapolis in emphatic fashion.
The Final Four matchup with 1-seed Arizona was by far my favorite game of the 2025-2026 Michigan basketball season. In what was supposed to be the game of the century, the Wolverines blew the doors off the Wildcats, winning 91-73. While the game wasnât in doubt for the final 30 minutes of play, the biggest moment had to be a hurt Yaxel Lendeborg toughing it out and returning to the floor only to hit two deep threes while clearly hobbled.
As we all remember, the National Championship was a bit of a slog. UConn executed its game plan to perfection, but it still didnât matter. One moment clearly stands out among all the rest in this matchup: Trey McKenneyâs dagger three late in the game:
Still can't believe. Michigan won the National Championship in basketball for the first time in my life.
â Underwood Leashed (@Underwood\_szn) April 8, 2026
In a game in which Michigan couldnât hit the broad side of a barn from anywhere outside of the paint, McKenney put an abrupt halt to UConnâs comeback attempt and essentially sealed the National Championship.
Going down memory lane is fun when your team is the reigning National Champions. The 2025-2026 Michigan basketball season had some of the highest of highs. What moment stands out to you? 25 years from now, which moments will you think about when remembering this title team? Will it be as simple as the celebrations in the aftermath, or will you think about any of the various dunks from Lendeborg, Mara, Johnson, or Gayle?
Outside of just the fact that this team brought home a National Championship, what individual moment is the most memorable for you? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.