The two teams set to play in the 2026 NCAA national championship game, with UConn set to compete against No. 1 seed Michigan, aiming to achieve a feat previously achieved by UCLA in the 1970s. UConn's Alex Karaban, who has won back-to-back titles as a starter, made a crucial decision to stay with the team, despite considering potential NBA head coaching prospects. Karaban's decision and commitment to the team have been instrumental in creating continuity, with six of the top nine scorers being homegrown players. Meanwhile, Michigan has used a mix of transfer portal and players who played under its previous coach, Juwan Howard, to reach the national title game for the first time since 2018. All five of Michigan's starters are transfers, including Nimari Burnett, who stayed during the coaching change when Michigan hired Dusty May during the 2024 offseason.