What to know: Arizona faces Michigan in Final Four
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.

Brayden Burries (left) and Motiejus Krivas celebrate after the Cats' Elite Eight win. Photo: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
The Final Four matchup between the Arizona Wildcats and the Michigan Wolverines may be the best game of March Madness.
- Whether you've followed the Wildcats all season or are just getting into the excitement of their first Final Four appearance in a quarter century, here's what you need to know.
Why it matters: The winner of Saturday's game will play either Illinois or UConn for the national championship Monday.
Zoom in: The Cats are big and physical, and they attack their opponents in the paint on both ends of the floor.
- That gets them to the foul line more than almost any other team in the country.
- In a basketball world dominated by the 3-point line, the Cats favor high-percentage shots and don't attempt many 3s, though they shoot a fairly high percentage when they do.
Names to know: Versatile freshman forward Koa Peat and 7-foot-2 center Motiejus Krivas dominate in the paint, as does Tobe Awaka, who averages nearly a double-double off the bench.
- Freshman guard Brayden Burries is UofA's leading scorer, and senior point guard Jaden Bradley has been known to steal the show with a heroic shot.
- If the Cats need a critical 3-pointer, watch sharpshooter Anthony Dell'Orso.
The other side: The Wolverines are well equipped to beat the Cats at their own game — they're one of the nation's best teams at defending 2-point shots and they're adept at keeping opponents off the foul line.
- Keep an eye on forwards Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr.
Between the lines: The Wolverines are 1.5-point favorites.
The intrigue: UofA fans have their eyes on more than just the outcome of the game — head coach Tommy Lloyd is reportedly a candidate to take over the University of North Carolina, one of the bluest-blooded of college basketball programs.
Where to watch: The PhoenixCats alumni group is hosting a watch party at The Porch at 40th Street and Indian School Road. Wear red!
- The new Arcadia Tavern and Dirtbag's, a Tucson institution that's now in Phoenix, are likely to be filled with Wildcats fans too.
When to watch: The game tips off Saturday at 5:49pm.
