5 plays that defined Michigan’s NCAA title game win over UConn, including flagrant hook-and-hold on Alex Karaban

UConn went into Monday’s NCAA championship game with a clear plan: Muck things up and grind down Michigan’s offense.

It worked until it didn’t as Michigan made more plays down the stretch to secure a 69-63 win and the national championship.

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UConn’s strategy was correct against a deep and more talented Michigan roster that entered Monday’s game averaging 87.8 points per game. And it worked early in the game as UConn limited Michigan’s attack and held a 24-23 lead with 3:16 remaining in the first half. UConn at that point had forced eight Michigan misses in its previous nine shots.

But a flagrant foul on UConn’s Alex Karaban shifted the game’s trajectory. And Michigan made more plays down the stretch to hold on for the program’s second NCAA championship.

Here are five plays (plus one) that led Michigan to victory Monday night.

Hook-and-hold flagrant foul on Alex Karaban

Karaban and Michigan’s Morez Johnson Jr. were battling for rebounding position off a missed Michigan 3 late in the first half. The two locked elbows, and Karaban held on as Johnson extended in an effort to secure the offensive rebound.

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Officials reviewed the play and called Karaban for a hook-and-hold flagrant foul.

The call awarded Michigan two free throws and the ball.

Johnson sank both free throws. And Yaxel Lendeborg converted a layup to secure a four-point possession for Michigan.

The sequence triggered a 10-4 run to end the half that sent Michigan into the break with a 33-29 advantage. The Wolverines never trailed again.

Elliot Cadeau and-1/Solo Ball’s fourth foul

With 16:20 remaining, Michigan’s Elliot Cadeau pushed the ball in transition after a UConn miss. He looked up to find UConn’s Solo Ball standing between him and the basket in the paint.

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Cadeau charged ahead and drew contact while sinking a layup. The bucket counted, and officials whistled Ball for his fourth foul 3:40 into the second half. Ball went to the bench. Cadeau sank the and-1 free…

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Author : Jason Owens

Publish date : 2026-04-07 04:24:00

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