INDIANAPOLIS – The No. 1-seeded Michigan Wolverines are gearing up to take on the No. 1-seeded Arizona Wildcats in the much-anticipated Final Four match-up in Indianapolis.
The game will take place on Saturday (April 4) inside Lucas Oil Stadium at 8:49 p.m. and will have an alternate broadcast that will feature Fab Five members Jalen Rose, Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Jimmy King, and Ray Jackson, bringing them together 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.
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Head coach Dusty May believes forward Morez Johnson Jr. has earned the freedom to expand his game — and the results are showing at the right time.
Johnson Jr.’s development, particularly as a perimeter shooter, has added a new dimension to Michigan’s lineup as the Wolverines prepare for their Final Four matchup against Arizona.
“Yeah, he’s earned the right to do what he does based on his work,” said May. “He’s incredibly consistent and thorough with everything that he does.”
May said Johnson Jr. struggled with outside shooting during the offseason but remained committed to refining his mechanics, balance, and rhythm.
That persistence has translated into growing confidence from the coaching staff.
“There are certain times this year where I was actually disappointed when he would turn one down,” May said. “We felt so confident in his shooting ability and in his decision-making with the ball.”
Johnson Jr.’s versatility, along with fellow big man Aday Mara, has helped Michigan maintain spacing despite playing with size.
Both players can dribble, pass, and now stretch the floor, giving the Wolverines flexibility on offense.
Identity
Michigan’s identity, however, extends beyond individual development.
May described a team culture built on energy, unselfishness, and celebrating the subtleties that don’t always show up in the box score.
“If you watch our team play, the things that we value are the things that they react with great passion and energy,” May said. “The extra pass, the hustle plays.”
That approach has created a tight-knit group, one that May said emphasizes recognizing the “invisible plays”, screens, ball movement, and defensive effort that lead to success.
“We want to make sure everyone else feels great about their role in how it all transpired,” he said.
May’s path to Michigan followed a successful run at Florida Atlantic, and he said navigating the evolving landscape of college basketball, particularly the transfer portal and name, image, and likeness opportunities, shaped his perspective.
“We just felt like we knew the full landscape of what this was,” May said. “We had a broader perspective.”
Balance
In his first season in Ann Arbor, May has guided Michigan from an eight-win campaign to a Final Four appearance, leaning on both experienced transfers and impactful freshmen like Trey McKenney.
Players credited the team’s chemistry and composure for the postseason run.
“The biggest thing is being able to kind of balance those emotions,” forward Will Tschetter said. “There’s so much thrown at you, you’ve got to stay focused.”
McKenney echoed that sentiment.
“You don’t want to put too much emotion in the game,” said McKenney. “You want to be kind of level-headed throughout this tournament.”
Challenging schedule
Michigan’s challenging schedule, which ranked among the toughest in the country, also prepared the Wolverines for high-pressure moments.
May pointed to his team’s ability to elevate its play late in close games.
“When the stakes are the highest, these guys perform at such a high level,” May said.
Arizona
Now, Michigan faces an Arizona team that May described as consistent, physical, and disciplined.
“Their identity stays the same,” May said. “They change just based on their personnel.”
Despite the magnitude of the stage, May said his approach remains steady.
“We’ve done our work,” May said. “We’re going to be more focused on staying in character and doing our absolute best and trusting that that’s going to be enough.”