When did Michigan basketball win last national championship?
On April 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Michigan men’s basketball will compete on the biggest, most pressure-packed stage its sport has to offer when it takes on UConn in the championship game of the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
It’s the latest step in a remarkable turnaround for the program.
Just two years ago, the Wolverines were reeling from an 8-24 season that led to the firing of Michigan legend Juwan Howard as head coach. Since hiring Dusty May as his replacement, though, Michigan has transformed itself into one of the best programs in the country. This year, the Wolverines are 36-3 and have won their five NCAA tournament games by an average of 21.6 points.
Tonight, they’ll have the opportunity to do something they haven’t in a generation.
Heading into its matchup against UConn, here’s a look at Michigan’s championship history:
When did Michigan men’s basketball last win a national championship?
Michigan will be going for its first national championship since 1989, when the Wolverines won the first and only title in program history.
It was one of the more memorable championship runs in NCAA tournament history.
Shortly before the tournament started, Michigan coach Bill Frieder stepped down to become the new coach at Arizona State, with assistant coach Steve Fisher taking over for him. After surviving against Xavier in a 3-versus-14 matchup with a five-point win in the first round, the Wolverines advanced to their first Final Four in 13 years. There, they edged Big Ten foe Illinois and its famed Flying Illini team 83-81 before beating Seton Hall 80-79 in overtime in the national championship game thanks to a pair of made free throws from Rumeal Robinson with three seconds remaining in the extra period after a controversial foul call on Pirates guard Gerald Greene.
That year, Wolverines star Glen Rice scored 184 points across six NCAA tournament games, an NCAA record that still stands.
How many national championships does Michigan have?
Michigan will be vying for its second-ever national championship when it takes on UConn, as the 1989 title remains the only one in program history.
The Wolverines have been close over the past 35 years to adding another championship to their trophy case. They lost in the national championship game in 1992 and 1993 with the famed Fab Five. Under coach John Beilein, Michigan made a pair of national championship games in the 2010s, but lost to Louisville in 2013 and Villanova in 2018.
Michigan national championship results
Monday will mark the seventh time Michigan has appeared in the national championship game. The Wolverines have a 1-5 record in their previous six appearances.
Here’s a look at the results of those games:
- 1965: UCLA 91, Michigan 80
- 1976: Indiana 86, Michigan 68
- 1989: Michigan 80, Seton Hall 79 (OT)
- 1992: Duke 71, Michigan 51
- 1993: North Carolina 77, Michigan 71
- 2013: Louisville 82, Michigan 76
- 2018: Villanova 79, Michigan 62
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Michigan basketball’s last national championship: Wolverines 1989 team
