Michigan basketball news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Michigan men's basketball players received three championship rings in a team ceremony on Sep 11, 2026.
The rings cap a 37-3 title season.
Background
Michigan won the 2026 NCAA men's national title on April 6, beating UConn 69-63 in Indianapolis — its first championship since 1989 — after a 37-3 season. Head coach Dusty May then left in June to coach the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, and three Wolverines were drafted in the top 12. The September ring ceremony brought May and those draft picks back to campus, and the team was set to be honored at Michigan Stadium during a football game against Oklahoma.
How it unfolded
- Apr 4, 2026Michigan beat Arizona 91-73 in the Final Four; forward Yaxel Lendeborg sprained his left MCL and ankle stepping on Arizona center Motiejus Krivas' foot, played 14 minutes, and returned two nights later.
- Apr 6, 2026Michigan beat UConn 69-63 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis for the national title, its first since 1989.
- Jun 22, 2026Former head coach Dusty May left Michigan to become head coach of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks.
- Jun 23, 2026Morez Johnson Jr. was drafted ninth overall, reuniting with May in Dallas; Yaxel Lendeborg went to the Warriors at No. 11 and Aday Mara to the Thunder at No. 12.
- Sep 8, 2026Michigan women's basketball starting point guard Mila Holloway injured her lower left leg at practice and is out indefinitely, per a team spokesperson.
- Sep 11, 2026Michigan men's players received three rings in a team ceremony — for the Big Ten regular-season title, the Final Four, and the national championship; May and first-round picks Johnson, Lendeborg and Mara returned.
- Sep 12, 2026The championship team was set to be honored at Michigan Stadium during Michigan's football game against Oklahoma, scheduled for 12:14 p.m. ET on FOX.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- A Michigan women's basketball spokesperson said Holloway is out indefinitely and could not provide additional information to MLive, though she confirmed Holloway did not tear her ACL.
- Coach
- Michigan women's coach Kim Barnes Arico, speaking before last season, called point guard the hardest job on the floor and said Holloway's freshman performance on the national stage was something few could have done.
- Analysts
- Dusty May said the daily preparation is what made the replacements ready, explaining the championship lesson he is bringing to the Mavericks.
Still unverified
Game time and ticket information for Michigan's Oct. 25 exhibition against Houston in Grand Rapids have not been released.