If - and it's a big if - the Illini manage to get past UConn, they will face either Michigan or Arizona. Which squad would they rather see?

Here is more on the international players that will be participating in the 2026 Final Four with Illinois, Michigan, Arizona and UConn.

By a quirk of scheduling, Dutcher’s Aztecs faced the Wolverines and Wildcats less than a month apart during the fall. Arizona was a self-inflicted wound, a neutral-court game in Phoenix on Dec. 20 that they scheduled. Michigan was the luck of the draw, SDSU’s opening opponent in the 18-team Players Era Festival in Las Vegas on Nov. 24.

If Arizona plays its style, rebounds, and scores in the paint, it has a very good chance of beating Michigan and playing for a National Championship. This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/arizona as Arizona-Michigan Clash Hinges on This One Key.

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Live coverage of the Michigan Wolverines vs. Arizona Wildcats NCAAM game on ESPN, including live score, highlights and updated stats.