No need to dig deep into the archives to make this game proud. This is the rematch of the 2026 National Championship game. Dusty May and the ever-quotable Yaxel Lendeborg are no more, but the star power isn’t hard to find. Michigan believes it has the best backcourt in college basketball. Get this: UConn also believes it has the best backcourt in the sport.
What more could you ask for?
Let’s take a look at the matchups to watch in this big boy clash, starting with the predicted starting lineups for each side:
Michigan: G Elliot Cadeau, G Trey McKenney, G Roddy Gayle Jr., F JP Estrella and C Moustapha Thiam
UConn: G Silas Demary Jr., G Braylon Mullins, G Jayden Ross, F Nick Khamenia and C Na’jai Hines
UConn vs. Michigan: Need to know
The best of the best: Cadeau and Demary Jr. both are front-runners for the Bob Cousy Award, given to the best point guard in America. Cadeau is a mage who combines speed, strength and creativity. In an ideal world, Cadeau would like to finish with 12 assists instead of 20, but new Michigan coach Mike Boynton Jr. may need him to score more than he already has. That’s easier said than done because Demaree is an elite point guard. Demary is a 6-foot-5 who takes it personally if anyone works him for a bucket. The team with the better point guard play will win this game, but on paper it’s a close tie.
Portal adults: UConn and Michigan had to replace a combined five NBA players, all playing in the frontcourt. UConn spent big on Seton Hall transfer Na’jai Hines. Michigan did the same with Cincinnati transfer Moustapha Thiam, who will suit up after missing the opener against Oakland with an illness. Portal seniors always need some time to fully integrate for their new teams, but UConn and Michigan don’t have time to wait. Thiam and Hines should be immediate difference makers.
In particular, watch out when UConn aggressively hedges Michigan’s ball screens hard. Hines can be a bit evil in that he tries to be destructive. Those preventable fouls drove Dan Hurley to the wall in the preseason, and Hines earned plenty of candle time. Instead, this cover forces the ball out of Cadeau’s hands and into Tiam’s hands. The 7-foot-2 big man needs to make good decisions if Michigan wants to find good shots, but he’s not a great passer (yet). Friday’s test should be enlightening on both sides of the aisle.
Preseason instructions: Some extreme index of preseason results. Others ignore them completely. The truth is more in the middle. In the preseason, UConn’s defense looked premature. He put Purdue in a bind for long stretches. Hurley has produced men, positional size and at least one elite defender at every level. Meanwhile, Michigan doesn’t look super connected on defense just yet. We already knew Michigan’s defense wasn’t going to be at the level of the 2025-26 special teams. The question is whether this UM squad is a top 25 or top 50 squad. Any disconnected defense will be in hell against the maze that is the UConn offense.
Where to watch UConn vs Michigan live
History: Friday, November 6 | Time: 20:00 ET
Location: TD Garden — Boston, MA
TV: TNT | Broadcast: Fubo (try it for free)
UConn vs. Michigan forecast, picks
The starting 5s for each of these teams are pretty even. Cadeau and Demary draw. Snipers like Trey McKenney and Braylon Mullins are pretty similar. We go all the time. The difference is the bench. UConn could bring in a potential first-round pick in linebacker Colben Landrew. Michigan planned to do something similar, but five-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. He blew out his knee during the Wolverines’ international tour. UConn is the deeper team and looks premature on both ends of the floor. Michigan’s defense is airtight, and I have a hard time envisioning how the Wolverines will generate good shots if Cadeau ever gets into foul trouble.
The line opened with UConn as a three-point favorite and was understandably hit. Ballooned to six. But for a game where top-tier talent is mostly even on both sides, two entire properties feels a bit rich. UConn can outrun many teams physically, but not Michigan. It’s Gayle, Cadeau and McKenney physical guards. Plus, if Hines gets into foul trouble, I’m not entirely sure Oscar Giltay is ready to be the needle-thrower against a talented backfield like Michigan’s. UConn is undefeated in Boston, but points north of six are on the right side. If he gets within two balls, you can turn to Hurley’s boys. Pick: Michigan +6
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