Whether you love the concept or roll your eyes at it, the Players Era Festival has done one thing right: it brought heavyweight programs into the same orbit. And on Wednesday night, two of them step onto the floor with a million dollars hanging in the balance.

After a week of statement wins, Michigan and Gonzaga arrive in Las Vegas fighting for one more marquee victory and a serious NIL payout. Both teams earned their place in the final. Michigan crushed San Diego State 94-54 and then rolled past Auburn 102-72, while Gonzaga matched that energy, beating Maryland 100-61 after already handling a strong Alabama team.

Now it all comes down to this. Warmups start. Players tighten their laces. Coaches offer a few final words. For a moment, everything feels under control. But that calm is thinn

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