INDIANAPOLIS – University of Michigan alum Rich Eisen welcomed Fab Five legend Chris Webber to the Rich Eisen Show ahead of the Wolverines’ Final Four matchup against the Arizona Wildcats.
Webber, a Hall of Famer and former Michigan standout, shared his excitement about the Wolverines’ journey and reflected on his college and professional experiences.
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Webber offered his thoughts on Saturday (April 4) night’s Final Four matchup between the Wolverines and the Wildcats, emphasizing both respect for the opponent and confidence in his alma mater.
Eisen expressed being nervous about the game, to which Webber responded, “I like being nervous. I was nervous before every game I played. That doesn’t mean I’m scared. It just means our juices are flowing.”
Webber continued, “Arizona is good. They’re tough, big, and play defense. They don’t just rely on three-pointers. Anything can happen in sport.”
Webber highlighted Arizona’s balanced play and praised coach Dusty May for his leadership.
“They play inside out and can get you in foul trouble. The coach has done a wonderful job, and they have some wonderful players,” Webber said.
Webber also pointed to Michigan’s player development as a key factor in the game.
“As great as Michigan plays, they always get better,” Webber said, citing Big Ten Player of the Year Yaxel Lendeborg and the team’s consistent guard play. “We can’t turn it over. We have to play great defense and shoot the heck out of the ball. Your best player has to step up, and it’s going to be exciting.”
Webber expressed confidence in the Wolverines while acknowledging the challenge Arizona presents.
“I feel good about the Wolverines,” Webber said.
Fab Five
Webber confirmed that he, Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Jimmy King, and Ray Jackson will be together on-site at the Final Four on Saturday for the first time in almost 30 years, alongside host Adam Lefkoe, to share live reactions and timeless stories with their unique perspectives on the heavyweight matchup.
--> Fab Five reunion set for Michigan basketball vs. Arizona Final Four showdown in Indianapolis
He said excitement is building as the Fab Five prepares to reunite publicly for the special alternate broadcast of the Wolverines’ Final Four matchup against Arizona.
“You know, we’ve been excited. We’ve been working on this for some time now,” Webber said. “It’s been great working with Jalen back at Turner, and I’m glad to be doing this with Juwan, Jay, Jimmy, and Ray. So excited,” Webber said.
The broadcast, hosted by Adam Lefkoe, will offer an alternative viewing experience featuring the iconic group that helped redefine college basketball culture in the early 1990s.
Webber said the opportunity to collaborate again with his former teammates is meaningful, especially given how rarely all five have appeared together in a public setting in recent years.
“This is the first time all five of us have been together publicly in quite some time,” Webber said. “Hopefully the fans enjoy it like we do.”
While the group is expected to bring energy and personality to the broadcast, Webber emphasized that respect for both teams remains central.
“We’re going to be rooting for Michigan but respecting both teams and all the players that are there,” Webber said.
For Webber, the experience goes beyond basketball analysis.
He described it as a chance to recreate the camaraderie that defined the Fab Five during their time at Michigan.
“What do you say? You get to be with your boys watching the game,” Webber said. “Everybody at home should be able to relate. Hanging out with your friends, watching the game, and sharing it with the world is pretty cool.”
The alternate broadcast adds another layer of intrigue to an already highly anticipated Final Four matchup, while also celebrating one of the most influential groups in college basketball history.
For all the history and cultural impact, their bond remains as strong and as youthful as ever.
Webber said the group has stayed closely connected over the years, even if public appearances together have been rare.
“We’re always talking. All of us communicate,” Webber said. “It isn’t that we don’t stay in touch. It’s just being able to really hang out in front of the world, that hasn’t happened in some time.”
The Fab Five were last together publicly during a Michigan basketball game when Howard was head coach.
The group has also reunited privately in recent years, including a gathering that featured dinner and time spent catching up.
Still, Webber noted that those moments only reinforce what has long defined the group: a genuine friendship that dates back decades.
“The funny thing is, when we get together, everybody goes back to being 18,” Webber said. “It’s a lot of fun. A lot of talking.”
That dynamic is expected to carry over into their upcoming alternate broadcast of Michigan’s Final Four matchup, where the group will share both analysis and the chemistry that made them one of the most iconic units in college basketball history.
“It’ll be fun,” Webber said.
The bond between the Fab Five has extended far beyond their college days, evolving from a groundbreaking basketball partnership into a lifelong friendship, one that now includes a decades-long group chat.
Webber said the connection between himself, Rose, Howard, King, and Jackson has remained constant over the years, highlighted by an active text thread that dates back to the early days of mobile phones.
“Oh yeah, everybody’s on it. That’s been forever,” Webber said. “Our text chain has been going on since we had cell phones.”
Webber recalled how his personal and professional decisions have often been influenced by those relationships, including a stint early in his NBA career when he chose to join the Washington Bullets (now the Wizards) in part to reunite with Howard.
“My bright idea was to go to the worst team in the league at the time just to hang out with my boy Juwan and play with him,” Webber said with a laugh.
The group chat, he said, reflects the same dynamic that defined the Fab Five during their time at Michigan: competitive, humorous, and deeply connected.
Conversations range from family life to debates about basketball matchups, often sparking spirited exchanges.
“We talk about everything, from family to favorite basketball plays,” Webber said. “You go back and see the silly stuff we talked about, like who could guard who or what team would beat another. It’s all about keeping the relationship going and starting good arguments.”
That authenticity is rooted in friendships that began long before their rise to national prominence. Webber said he has known Rose since they were about 12 years old and Howard since his early teenage years.
“It’s all genuine,” Webber said. “We’re sincerely and truly friends.”
Now, as the Fab Five prepares to reunite publicly for a special Final Four broadcast on TNT Sports, Webber believes that same chemistry will translate on air.
“That’s why it’s fun to share these moments with the world,” Webber said. “It’s going to be fun.”
As the Fab Five prepares to reunite on a national stage, Webber emphasized that the group’s presence will be about supporting Michigan, not overshadowing the current team.
Webber recalled a previous visit to campus, when College Football Playoff head coach Jim Harbaugh invited him back for a football game.
Even then, he was mindful not to become a distraction.
“I didn’t want to go to the team breakfast and everything else because I didn’t want it to be a distraction,” Webber said. “If I were on the other side, I’d be like, ‘Oh, he’s here, watch what we do.’”
While the group is expected to draw significant attention, Webber said the focus remains on celebrating and uplifting the Wolverines.
“We have a team that’s already aligned and doing their thing,” Webber said. “By us having a presence, we’re not taking away from them; we’re honoring this team.”
Webber added that the moment represents an opportunity for the Fab Five to come together in support of a program they still deeply care about.
“We love this team, we believe in this team, and we’re excited for this team,” Webber said.
Despite the spotlight that comes with their reunion, Webber said the experience will ultimately be about enjoying the moment and sharing it with both his former teammates and fans.
“It’s going to be cool supporting,” Webber said. “We’re looking forward to it, and we’ll be laughing the whole time.”
The winner of the Michigan-Arizona game will advance to the national championship, capping what has been a thrilling NCAA Tournament for both programs.