When asked about the situation, the experienced coach revealed his stance. He made it clear that he is against players choosing to make the jump early in their careers, rather than continuing to develop further in college basketball.

“Unless it absolutely makes total sense for you to go and you know you’re a lottery pick guaranteed to go top 15-18, the biggest mistake you can make right now as a college basketball player is going to the draft too early,” he said on The Dan Patrick Show/The Field of 68.

Which Huskies players declared for the upcoming Draft?

The UConn Huskies are preparing for a significant roster overhaul as several key players transition to the professional ranks following the 2025-26 season. Senior center Tarris Reed Jr., who ran out of eligibility after a dominant year averaging nearly 15 points and 9 rebounds, is a lock for the draft as a physical interior presence.

He is joined by veteran forward Alex Karaban, a “winning” combo forward whose elite floor-spacing and perimeter shooting have him projected as a potential late first-round or early second-round pick. Additionally, freshman standout Braylon Mullins has emerged as a high-upside first-round prospect; the 6-foot-6 sharpshooter is expected to finalize his decision shortly, with many scouts viewing him as one of the premier movement shooters in the 2026 class.

When and where is the next Draft?

The 2026 NBA Draft is scheduled to take place over two nights, with the first round on Wednesday, June 24, and the second round on Thursday, June 25. The event will return to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Ahead of the draft, the NBA Draft Lottery will be held on May 10, followed by the Draft Combine from May 10–17, where top prospects like AJ Dybantsa and the UConn trio will be closely evaluated.

Following the Wolverines’ latest title, RedditCFB noted on X: “Michigan is the first D1 school ever to win multiple National Championships in Football (1948, 1997, 2023), Baseball (1953, 1962), and Men’s Basketball (1989, 2026).”

However, the post left out another major piece of Michigan’s legacy. The school’s men’s ice hockey program has won nine national championships, more than any other Wolverine team, and remains one of the most successful in college sports, even though its last title came decades ago.

Basketball and baseball remain Michigan’s toughest paths to titles

For Michigan Wolverines men’s basketball, winning just a second national championship since 1908 highlights how difficult it has been for the program to reach the top, even with multiple runner-up finishes and frequent deep tournament runs. A similar story applies to Michigan Wolverines baseball, which hasn’t captured a national title in decades.

Over the past 13 seasons, Michigan’s baseball team has made five postseason appearances and won the Big Ten Conference title twice, once in 2015, marking the program’s ninth conference championship at the time, and again in 2022 with a 10-4 win over Rutgers baseball. Since then, the team has yet to return to the postseason.

While Michigan holds the distinction of being the only school with multiple national championships across several major men’s sports, University of Southern California still leads all Division I programs in total men’s titles with 85. Meanwhile, Stanford University tops the overall list with 129 championships, combining men’s (69) and women’s (60) programs.

“First of all, I want to thank all the people that poured into everyone in our locker room. We’re not here without the love, support and coaching from everybody before us,” May told Tracy Wolfson of CBS Sports following the NCAA Division I tournament final.

While emotion played a role, execution on the court was just as critical. May emphasized Michigan‘s balance throughout the season, noting their ability to respond when one phase struggled. “These guys have done it all year. When one side of the ball was letting us down, the other side picked us up,” he said.

May matches rare John Beilein-era feat with back-to-back elite seasons

Dusty May didn’t just win a national championship, he also accomplished something not seen since the John Beilein era, putting together consecutive standout seasons with Michigan Wolverines men’s basketball.

Beilein last achieved that between the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons, highlighted by consistent success at the top of the conference. May has now mirrored that impact in his first two years, winning the conference tournament title in his debut season and following it up with both a regular-season conference championship and a national title.

Beilein left a lasting legacy at Michigan, and May has acknowledged that their connection continues to play a role behind the scenes. The former Wolverines head coach spent 12 years leading the program and reached two national championship games.

“We talk regularly. He’s always conscious about it—he knows when my off days are, he knows when to call. He’s sat in this seat, so he knows how many directions you’re being pulled,” May told On3. “I enjoy it every single time. He sends me texts, we talk, he sends great nuggets—just reminders of what to be looking out for.”

According to USA Today, May’s bonuses in the NCAA Tournament were as follows: $50,000 for appearing in the first round, $75,000 for reaching the second stage, $100,000 for making it to the Sweet Sixteen, $150,000 for their Elite Eight appearance, $200,000 for playing in the Final Four, $300,000 for qualifying to the national title game, and $400,000 for winning it all.

With the national title conquest, May bolstered his case to win the the National Coach of the Year award. Such an accomplishment would secure an extra $50,000 for May. Had Michigan lost against UConn, May would have taken home a $300,000 paycheck, missing out on the extra $100,000. It wasn’t like he would’ve had to pinch pennies, but his team’s triumph still secured him even more money.

Hurley misses out on a fortune

As for Hurley, had UConn defeated Michigan at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, he would’ve walked away with a whopping $1.275 million bonus. Even with the national title loss, Hurley is earning more in bonuses than May is for his historic conquest with the program in Ann Arbor.

Hurley has earned $775,000 thanks to the NCAA Tournament bonuses in his contract. Cutting down the nets of March Madness is priceless, but Hurley already knows how that feels, and securing $775,000 definitely makes the pain easier to withstand.

Hurley’s bonuses breakdown

Hurley’s contract bonuses are as follows: $25,000 for an NCAA Tournament appearance, $50,000 for UConn’s win in the first round, $75,000 for making it out of the second round, $125,000 for the Sweet Sixteen triumph. The win over Duke in the Elite Eight meant an extra $200,000 for Hurley, whereas the Final Four victory added $300,000 to the total.

A national championship would’ve handed Hurley the final $500,000. Most importantly, it would’ve earned him a seat in the debate for the greatest college basketball head coach of all time. However, May and Michigan prevented that with a staple performance. Now, the Wolverines are national champions for the first time since 1989.

Michigan has finished as runner-up six times. After winning it all in 1989, the program returned to the national title game four more times but fell short against powerhouse programs like Duke Blue Devils men’s basketball, North Carolina Tar Heels, Louisville, and Villanova Wildcats.

Despite those setbacks, Michigan has remained a consistently competitive program. Over the past decade, the Wolverines have reached the postseason five times and came close again in the 2025-26 season, making another run to the national championship game.

How many national titles does Dusty May have?

Dusty May has yet to win a national championship, either with Michigan or any other program. However, he has made an immediate impact since arriving for the 2024-25 season, leading the Wolverines to the Sweet Sixteen in his first year and previously winning a Conference USA tournament title with another program.

May has posted two strong seasons at Michigan. In his first year, the team went 27-10, followed by an impressive 36-3 campaign. The Wolverines hadn’t reached the 30-win mark since the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons under John Beilein. Since 1908, Michigan has recorded 30 or more wins in just six seasons.

Beyond national championships, Michigan has also found success in the Big Ten Conference. The program owns four conference tournament titles, most recently in 2025 under May, along with 16 regular-season championships, including the 2026 title after a nearly five-year drought.

Pete Thamel, through his X account, reported UNC’s strong interest in securing the services of the former Nuggets head coach. There, he won an NBA championship in the 2022–23 season.

Throughout his NBA career, Malone has won a total of 510 games. Will he be the next leader of the Tar Heels for the upcoming season?

A bitter end for North Carolina

The North Carolina Tar Heels suffered a stunning and early exit from the 2026 NCAA Tournament, collapsing in a shocking first-round loss to VCU. Despite holding a commanding 19-point lead during the game, the Tar Heels were unable to maintain their momentum, marking one of the most unexpected upsets in recent program history.

More candidates emerge for UNC

While Michael Malone has emerged as the frontrunner, other high-profile candidates previously linked to the vacancy included Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd, who recently signed a long-term extension, and Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan, whose championship pedigree at Florida made him a primary target.

Other names mentioned during the search were T.J. Otzelberger of Iowa State and former Tar Heel Jerry Stackhouse, as the program specifically sought a leader capable of navigating the modern NIL and transfer portal landscape.

However, with Michigan’s Dusty May also withdrawing from consideration, the university appears to have pivoted decisively toward Malone’s NBA experience to lead the new era in Chapel Hill.

“That’s a Geno question. I have not heard from Geno,” Staley admitted, via USA Today’s Meghan Hall. “It’s UCLA’s day. Let’s keep it there. We’re not gonna damper UCLA’s day with that.” Staley did say she has a lot of unread messages, and Auriemma’s reported text may well be one of them.

According to ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo, Auriemma did reach out to Staley to apologize for his candid reaction, but South Carolina‘s head coach couldn’t confirm that. As far as Staley knew—or cared to publicly discuss—she hadn’t heard from Auriemma.

Staley’s reaction to the question put on full display that she had no intention of touching the subject. That was not something on her mind after the Gamecocks lost in the National Championship Game for the second year in a row.

Staley vs Auriemma never fails to deliver

Regardless, after suffering one of the worst defeats of her coaching career in women’s college basketball, Staley was in no mood to speak about the clash with Auriemma that made waves across the nation last Friday. Everybody knows how heated matchups between Staley’s Gamecocks and Auriemma’s Huskies are, but this one went over the line.

The head-to-head record between Staley and Auriemma is now tied in NCAA Tournament showdowns. As it stands, both sides have won two and lost two against one another. Though she didn’t directly name Auriemma or Connecticut, Staley did fire a not-so-subtle shot at the Huskies with her praise for Cori Close and the Bruins.

“Although we didn’t win, I can swallow it because we lost to a really good human being and a good team that represents women’s basketball well,” Staley said, per The Athletic’s Grace Raynor. Clear as water, Staley put Auriemma on notice with that comment.

Missed opportunity for Staley

South Carolina’s loss against UCLA meant Staley failed to make the podium for the most decorated coaches in the NCAA Tournament. Auriemma still leads with 12 national titles, followed by Pat Summit’s 8 championships. Kim Mulkey closes out the podium with 4 conquests of the NCAA Women’s Tournament.

Make no mistake, though, the Gamecocks will be back in the dance next year, and Staley isn’t going anywhere as she is inked to the highest contract in the nation. Moreover, her deal runs through the 2029-30 season. It’s safe to say, Staley is there to stay in Columbia.

• Geno Auriemma: 12 national titles with Connecticut
• Pat Summit: 8 national titles with Tennessee
• Kim Mulkey 4 national titles (Baylor 3x and LSU)

If there’s a silver lining, though, it’s the fact South Carolina avoided making history of the wrong kind. After the Gamecocks’ 28-point loss to the Bruins, the record for the biggest blowout in a national title game in women’s college basketball still belongs to the UConn Huskies, who defeated the Louisville Cardinals 93-60 (33-point difference) in the 2013 National Championship Game.

Regardless, Staley and the Gamecocks have now lost in back-to-back championship games, and they weren’t particularly close. Last season, South Carolina lost 82-59 (23-point margin) against UConn. Staley’s side has now been outscored by 51 points in its last two title game appearances in the NCAA.

Top 3 biggest losses in title game

Though Staley’s South Carolina avoided being on the wrong end of the worst defeat in the NCAA’s Women’s National Championship Game, it couldn’t escape the podium. The 28-point defeat at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, AZ is now the third biggest blowout in a title showdown.

The Bruins’ victory is surpassed only by the Huskies’ 93–60 win over Louisville and 82–51 victory against Syracuse in 2013 and 2016, respectively. Had UCLA not taken its best players off the court in the final minutes, the final score might have been even more lopsided.

UCLA wins 1st NCAA title

Although UCLA had hoisted an AIAW national championship in 1978, its conquest over South Carolina meant the Bruins have cut down the nets of March Madness for the first time in school history. It was extra sweet for them, as the Bruins prevented the Gamecocks from hoisting their fourth national championship.

Hungry dogs run faster, and that was definitely the case, as the Bruins simply wouldn’t be denied in their pursuit of immortal glory. The program had gone through a valley, and how fitting that, in The Valley, UCLA touched the sky in NCAA Women’s Tournament history.

“It’s definitely unpleasant. I feel like we should’ve been here and we’d be playing tomorrow night,” he revealed via Brian Rauf of Basket Under Review on X.

Boozer, who will watch the final of this thrilling tournament from the sidelines, had to stay in Indianapolis to receive this individual recognition. Now, his mind is clearly focused on what’s ahead: the big leap in his career with the NBA Draft.

Boozer’s breakout year at Duke

Cameron Boozer’s freshman season at Duke was nothing short of historic, as he dominated the ACC and solidified his case as a top prospect for the 2026 NBA Draft. Over 38 games, he averaged an impressive double-double with 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, while also showcasing his versatility with 4.1 assists and 1.4 steals.

Despite Duke’s heartbreaking 73-72 loss to UConn in the Elite Eight—where Boozer still managed a team-high 27 points and 8 rebounds—his elite efficiency and all-around play earned him ACC Player of the Year honors and cemented his status as a generational talent.

His projection in the NBA Draft

Cameron Boozer is a consensus top-3 pick for the 2026 NBA Draft. While he is in a tight race with AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson for the No. 1 overall spot, many analysts view him as the most “pro-ready” prospect due to his elite efficiency and high basketball IQ.

Scouts project him as a versatile, modern frontcourt star with All-Star potential, often comparing his polished game to that of a young Al Horford or Chris Webber.

The 2026 March Madness Championship game

The Michigan Wolverines will face the UConn Huskies in the National Championship game on Monday, April 6, at 8:50 PM ET. This high-stakes battle for the title will take place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, as Michigan looks to secure its first championship since 1989.

“I am a UConn coach until the end. Maybe, [I leave for the] NBA some day down the line. But no, I’m a UConn coach, man,” Hurley stated during an interview with Jeff Goodman from Field of 68.

As tempting as coaching the Tar Heels may be for any coach in college basketball, Hurley’s commitment to the Huskies is rock solid. Not many—if any—coaches have it better than him at Storrs. Thus, it makes sense why Hurley isn’t paying any attention to the outside noise. As he made it clear, if he is to leave UConn it’ll be to take the next step and coach in the NBA.

Hurley turned down NBA years ago

Coming off back-to-back college basketball national championships with the Huskies in 2023 and 2024, Hurley was handed a very appealing contract offer by the Los Angeles Lakers. According to reports at the time, the 17-time NBA champions offered Hurley a six-year, $70 million deal. Hurley would’ve become one of the highest-paid coaches in the league, but he felt his time with Connecticut was only getting started.

Shortly after, he was inked to an extension in the “Basketball Capital of the World.” Per USA Today, Hurley’s contract in Storrs runs through the 2029–30 NCAA season. When the time comes, who knows where Hurley will head?

National Championship Game

At the moment, though, Hurley only has time to focus on the immediate future. And that deserves his full attention, as the Huskies are set to do battle with the Michigan Wolverines at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 6 at 8:50 p.m. ET.

Hurley and UConn have a date with history, as well as a not-so-fun meeting with No. 1 Michigan, which looks downright unstoppable, outscoring opponents by a 107-point margin so far in the NCAA Men’s Tournament. As for UConn, its plus/minus is +41.

“They have championship DNA. What they’ve done over the last four years is as impressive as anything we’ve seen in recent memory. And we’ve got our hands full Monday, but these guys will be up for the challenge,” he said on the TBS broadcast.

It was no easy task at all to reach this stage. The Wolverines defeated the Arizona Wildcats 91–73 in the Final Four, in May’s second season at the helm of the team. Will Michigan be able to achieve its ultimate goal on Monday night?

Led by Aday Mara

Aday Mara led the charge in Michigan’s rout of Arizona, dominating the paint with a career-high 26 points and 9 rebounds. Despite shooting struggles, Elliot Cadeau orchestrated the offense masterfully, dishing out 10 assists to propel the Wolverines into the National Championship game.

The Wolverines are aiming for their second title

Thirty-seven years after their historic 1989 triumph, where they defeated the Seton Hall Pirates 80-79 in a thrilling overtime finish, the Michigan Wolverines will seek for their second official title. The team looks to break a nearly four-decade drought and finally return to the top of the college basketball world.

When and where is the March Madness final?

The 2026 March Madness National Championship game is scheduled for Monday, April 6, at 8:50 PM ET. The high-stakes matchup will take place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, featuring Dusty May’s team against the UConn Huskies.

This marks the ninth time Indianapolis has hosted the Final Four, with the city serving as the culminating site for this year’s tournament drama.