4 Bold Predictions for the Final Four: Solo Ball, Yaxel Lendeborg and Koa Peat Shine

The Final Four is here and it could be one of the best series of games the marquee event has seen in years. The national semifinal matchups have extremely balanced teams. UConn vs. Illinois and the heavyweight matchup that the nation is eager to see, Michigan vs. Arizona.

Yet it feels like something always out of the ordinary happens in the Final Four, and we try to predict what could transpire in Indianapolis this weekend as the college basketball world prepares to crown a new champion.

Solo Ball hits at least four 3-pointers for UConn

It has been a very difficult year for Solo Ball at UConn, trying to follow up his breakout sophomore season. Ball shot 41.4 percent from 3-point range for the Huskies last season, but the number has plummeted to 29.2 percent this year as he has battled a wrist injury since early December.

Ball is 3-for-21 (14.3 percent) in the NCAA Tournament from 3-point range, posting two games of 0-for-5 shooting from deep against UCLA and Duke, but Saturday night against Illinois could be his breakout game.

His experience in the Final Four was limited during the Huskies' title run in 2024, but UConn’s game plan against the size of the Illini could be to let it fly from 3-point range. That could play right into the hands of Ball.

In its first matchup against Illinois in November, Ball attempted nine triples. This season, he has only made four or more 3-pointers four times, but did it 10 times last season.

If there would ever be a time for Solo Ball to revert to his old shooting form, it would Saturday.

Illinois Outrebounds UConn by At Least 10

Illinois has the size advantage over UConn and that could be the biggest factor in determining the outcome of its Final Four bout.

Last weekend, the Huskies were outrebounded by nine against Michigan State in the Sweet 16 and by six against Duke in the Elite 8. Outside of Tarris Reed Jr., the Huskies are limited in what they can do on the glass, and Illinois can take full advantage.

The Illini have been dominant on the backboards in the NCAA Tournament, outrebounding Houston by nine and dominating Iowa by 17 in the Elite 8. In its matchup against UConn in November, Illinois struggled, and they lost the rebounding battle by only five, 43-38, in the 13-point loss.

If Brad Underwood’s team can win the battle on the glass, it could lead to an appearance in the National Championship.

Yaxel Lendeborg and Koa Peat will Score 20 Points

Perhaps this one isn’t that bold, but expect the stars for each team to shine in the Michigan and Arizona heavyweight contest.

Wolverine standout Yaxel Lendeborg had a quiet start to the NCAA Tournament with nine points against No. 16 seed Howard but has exploded since with performances of 25, 23, and 27 points against Saint Louis, Alabama, and Tennessee.

The Big Ten Player of the Year is not shy about showing his personality on and off the court and he will be eager to make his mark at the Final Four. Arizona has the personnel to match up with Leneborg, but he will show why he is considered one of the best players in the country.

On the other side, Koa Peat is one of the most talented yet underrated freshmen in the country. He is not going to fill it up from 3-point range, but he will flash his ability to score inside the arc and get to the free throw line.

Peat scored 20 and 21 points last week against Arkansas and Purdue. While Michigan gives him a much tougher test defensively, his scoring prowess will shine on the biggest stage in college basketball.

Jaden Bradley will Hold Elliot Cadeau to More Turnovers than Assists

One of the best point guard battles in the country will be on Saturday night when Arizona meets Michigan, featuring Jaden Bradley and Elliot Cadeau.

Cadeau has flipped the conversation surrounding his career this year after two disappointing seasons at North Carolina. He has been the key to the Wolverines' offense, setting up its star players for success.

Yet now comes one of his most difficult matchups against Bradley, the Big 12 Player of the Year, who can completely neutralize the opposing point guard.

Cadeau is averaging 5.8 assists and 2.3 turnovers per game this season and has only had six games in which he committed more turnovers than assists and two games in which his numbers of turnovers and assists were the same.

If Arizona can slow down Elliot Cadeau, it becomes much easier to stop the Michigan offense, which could lead to a title game berth.