During the month of March, sports fans are captivated by the phenomenon of March Madness — 63 games featuring the 68 best teams in college basketball. The final three games become an event of their own — the Final Four — which will be held this year in Indianapolis.

This year’s Final Four looks different, featuring two No. 1 seeds, the Arizona Wildcats and Michigan Wolverines, alongside No. 2 UConn Huskies and No. 3 Illinois Fighting Illini, a big change from last year’s all-No. 1 seed Final Four. 

While two regions were largely decided early, the real drama was in the East and South regions. In the East, hopes of three No. 1 seeds advancing ended in the final seconds. In the South, the Iowa Hawkeyes began a Cinderella run that captured national attention, knocking off reigning national champion Florida and setting up one of the tournament’s most entertaining storylines. 

East Regional Final: UConn vs. Duke

After a broken play by top overall seed Duke, UConn freshman Braylon Mullins–who had not made a single 3-pointer all game–stepped up. Mullins buried a 35-foot 3-pointer to cap off a dramatic comeback with an iconic shot. 

The shot completed a 19-point second-half rally. UConn entered the final sequence with a mere 1.3% chance of winning, according to ESPN Analytics. At halftime, the Huskies trailed 44-29, their largest halftime deficit of the season. 

The broken play came from a mistake by Duke freshman point guard Cayden Boozer. Instead of waiting to be fouled, Boozer tried to advance the ball up the court, leading to a steal — and Mullins’ game-winning shot. 

Tarris Reed Jr. led the comeback, finishing with 26 points and nine rebounds — one shy of a double-double. Before Mullins’ shot, Alex Karaban knocked down a crucial 3-pointer to cut the deficit to one point. 

For Duke, Cameron Boozer – the favorite for the Wooden Award, college basketball’s top individual honor – scored 27 points in the loss. The defeat ended Duke’s 14-game winning streak and its championship hopes for the second straight season. 

UConn advances to its third Final Four in the past four seasons. Head coach Dan Hurley improved his NCAA tournament record to 17-3.

South Regional Final: Illinois vs. Iowa

In Houston, No. 3 Illinois defeated No. 9 Iowa 71-59 with far less drama than in the East regional final. 

The win sends Illinois to its sixth all-time Final Four in program history, the first under head coach Brad Underwood and the program’s first since reaching the national championship game in 2005. 

Illinois fell behind early, trailing 12-2, but the Illini recovered with physical defense, rebounding dominance and efficient offense.

For Iowa, the loss ended an improbable tournament run. The run gained momentum in the second round, as the Hawkeyes knocked off No. 1 seed Florida and then No. 4 Nebraska, bringing them all the way to the Elite Eight. In the regional final, Iowa was led by Bennett Stirtz who scored 24 points, the game’s leading scorer. But, Stirtz’s scoring wasn’t enough as Iowa lost the rebounding battle 38-21 and were held to just 6 second-half field goals. 

Now, Illinois holds 50 all-time NCAA Tournament wins which is the second-highest among programs that have never won a national championship, only behind Purdue (53). In the game, Illinois was led by a few key contributors who have stepped all season for Brad Underwood’s team. Keaton Wagler, a freshman, was the South Regional’s most outstanding player who is “tougher as nails,” Underwood said. Illinois also got significant help from Andrej Stojakovic — son of three-time NBA All Star Peja Stojakovic — who gave the Illini a dominant slashing performance and 17 points off the bench. 

Semifinal 1: No. 2 UConn vs. No. 3 Illinois

Saturday, April 4 | 6:09 PM EST | TBS | Lucas Oil Stadium

UConn’s success will hinge on the play of Tarris Reed Jr., whose performance in the regional final sparked their improbable comeback. Reed Jr. has had an incredible NCAA tournament this year as the center has averaged 21.8 points-per-game, 13.5 rebounds-per-game and 2.2 blocks-per-game. Reed Jr. gives UConn a dominant post presence that rivals the likes of the Ivisic twins for Illinois. Reed Jr. has struggled with foul trouble in this tournament, and UConn cannot afford to have him sitting on the bench. 

For Illinois, Keaton Wagler will need to continue like he has all year long, and specifically how he has during March. In the tournament, Wagler has outperformed the field averaging 17.5 points-per-game, 6.5 rebounds-per-game and 3.8 assists-per-game, giving Brad Underwood’s team a confident ball handler who can score on a high level. But, another difference maker for the Illini is the big man, Tomislav Ivisic, who at 7’1” leads the nation in most made three-pointers for a player above seven foot. Ivisic expands the floor, causing defenders to honor his three-point-shooting ability while still having great, traditional center skills.

For UConn, they are coming into this game, shooting inconsistently from the perimeter, but the Huskies are riding historic momentum after their comeback against Duke, looking to capitalize and advance to the national championship game. For Illinois, they are favored by many major sportsbooks and analytical platforms to win this game, and have the pieces to do so. It will be important for Illinois to continue their rebounding prowess and interior scoring which are the biggest threats to UConn heading into this game.

Semifinal 2: No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 1 Arizona

Saturday, April 4 | 8:49 PM EST | TBS | Lucas Oil Stadium

For Arizona, their success in this game will depend on the play of Jaden Bradley, whose steady hand, confident presence and elite passing have been the backbone of Tommy Lloyd’s offense all season. Bradley, who was the Big 12 Player of the Year, gives the Wildcats a proven, big-game performer who can 1) score and 2) create opportunities for his teammates. Bradley connects this team and its offense who ranks eighth nationally in efficiency, and his ability to push pace and dictate the tempo will be essential against Michigan who plays best when they are controlled and physical. 

For Michigan, Yaxel Lendeborg will need to continue the dominant run he has been on throughout March. In the tournament, Lendeborg has been the most complete player on the floor averaging 21.0 points-per-game, 7.3 rebounds-per-game and 4.3 assists-per-game, a performance that earned him the Midwest Most Outstanding Player. The Big Ten Player of the Year gives Dusty May’s team a versatile offensive presence who can score in the post, pass out of the high post and can shoot from deep. But, Michigan is not a one-man-band. The Wolverines’ depth in the frontcourt – with Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara – gives Michigan one of the most physical interior combinations in the country. This year, Michigan went 13-0 when Mara and Johnson Jr. scored a combination of over 25 points, which will force Arizona to have to pay attention to the two on every single possession. 

For Arizona, they enter this game as the most efficient interior team in the tournament. The Wildcats led the nation in free throw attempts, giving them, on average 20 points per game from the line and their paint dominance – centered around freshman Koa Peat and center Motiejus Krivas alongside the perimeter success of Brayden Burries and Ivan Kharchenkov – gives them multiple different ways to win on any given night. Arizona’s only apparent weakness is their three-point shooting, yet they have proven that perimeter shooting is not required for them to reach 100 points. For Michigan, the path to win this game will likely run through the interior as well. Both teams to beat Arizona – Texas Tech and Kansas – did so by winning the rebound battle. If Lendeborg, Johnson Jr. and Mara can have their way down low and force Arizona into foul trouble, the Wolverines will be hard to stop. At point guard, Elliot Cadeau’s decision-making will be critical: Michigan has topped 90 points in all four of their tournament games, and with L.J Carson sidelined by injury, Cadeau’s steadiness under pressure is essential.

From a predictive standpoint, most analysts and oddsmakers look at this semifinal as the playing of the national championship, with the national champion likely coming from this semifinal in Indianapolis. Two teams have been on different roads to the same point — on Saturday night, one of them ends.