Kenny Smith's Final Four Picks & UNC Coaching Search

Kenny Smith at the Final Four: Picks, UNC Coaching Search, and a Legacy in Basketball

This weekend, all eyes are on San Antonio as college basketball's biggest stage — the Final Four — takes center stage. And one of the most recognizable voices in the sport, Kenny "The Jet" Smith, is right in the middle of it all. The former NBA champion turned Turner Sports broadcaster is headlining coverage of the April 4–5, 2026 semifinals, sharing his analysis, picks, and even wading into the heated conversation surrounding his alma mater's coaching vacancy. Here's everything you need to know about Kenny Smith's role this Final Four weekend and why he's generating headlines beyond the broadcast booth.

Kenny Smith's Role at the 2026 Final Four

Kenny Smith is a central figure in Turner Sports' Final Four coverage this weekend, providing analysis and commentary on two marquee semifinal matchups: Illinois vs. UConn and Arizona vs. Michigan. As one of the most respected voices in basketball media — best known as a co-host on TNT's long-running Inside the NBA — Smith brings both playing pedigree and broadcasting gravitas to the table.

Beyond the broadcast desk, Smith is also participating in an AT&T interactive digital experience at Final Four Fan Fest, giving fans a chance to engage with one of the game's legends in an immersive setting. The activation is part of a broader push to make the Final Four experience more accessible and interactive for fans both on-site and online.

Kenny Smith's Semifinal Picks: UConn and Michigan

So who does The Jet like this weekend? Smith has been candid about his predictions heading into the semifinals, and his reasoning goes beyond pure analytics.

For the Illinois vs. UConn matchup, Smith is picking UConn to advance to Monday's national championship game. His reasoning is notably personal: he cited a strong connection to Kimani Young, UConn's associate head coach, as a factor that gives him confidence in the Huskies' program culture and coaching infrastructure. It's the kind of insider perspective that only someone embedded in the basketball world for decades can offer.

In the other semifinal, Smith leans toward Michigan over Arizona, pointing to Yaxel Lendeborg as the difference-maker for the Wolverines. Lendeborg's versatility and impact on both ends of the floor, Smith argues, gives Michigan the edge they need to knock off a talented Arizona squad.

It's worth noting that before the tournament, Smith had originally picked Michigan over Michigan State for the national title — a prediction that now looks prescient given Michigan's run to the Final Four. You can read more of Smith's exclusive tournament thoughts via MSN Sports.

The UNC Connection: A Family Legacy Under the Spotlight

Few broadcasters covering this Final Four have a more emotionally layered relationship with college basketball than Kenny Smith. His ties to the University of North Carolina run deep — and they're only getting deeper.

• Smith was an All-American at UNC in 1987, helping lay the foundation for his professional career.
• His son K.J. Smith played for UNC under legendary coach Roy Williams.
• Most recently, another son, Mallory Smith, committed to play for the Tar Heels — continuing the family's multigenerational connection to Chapel Hill.

That context makes the current state of UNC basketball especially personal for Smith. The university recently dismissed head coach Hubert Davis, sending the program into a high-profile coaching search that has drawn national attention. For a man who bleeds Carolina Blue, the question of who leads the program next is anything but abstract.

Stephen A. Smith's Suggestion — and Kenny's Sharp Rebuttal

Leave it to Stephen A. Smith to stir the pot. The ESPN personality floated Kenny Smith as a candidate for the UNC head coaching job, given his deep ties to the program and his basketball acumen. It seemed like a headline-grabbing idea — but Kenny Smith wasn't having it.

Smith dismissed the suggestion as "disrespectful," pushing back firmly on the notion that he should be considered for the role. While he didn't elaborate at length, the sentiment was clear: Kenny Smith sees himself as a broadcaster and basketball analyst, not a sideline coach. The remark also underscores just how seriously he takes both his current role in media and the prestige of the UNC head coaching position itself.

For the full context of Smith's comments on the UNC coaching search, Yahoo Sports has the details.

From Chapel Hill to the NBA to the Broadcast Booth: Kenny Smith's Career

To understand why Kenny Smith's voice carries so much weight in these conversations, it helps to trace his journey through the sport.

After his All-American career at UNC, Smith was selected sixth overall in the 1987 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings. He went on to have a solid 10-year playing career, most notably winning back-to-back NBA championships with the Houston Rockets in 1994 and 1995 alongside Hakeem Olajuwon. Smith was known as a sharp point guard with elite court vision — a thinking player who understood the game at a cerebral level.

That intelligence translated seamlessly into broadcasting. Smith joined Turner Sports' Inside the NBA alongside Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal, and Ernie Johnson — forming what is widely considered the greatest studio show in sports television history. His ability to break down X's and O's, combined with genuine humor and competitive fire, made him an essential voice on the panel.

Now, with Final Four coverage added to his portfolio this weekend, Smith continues to cement his reputation as one of the most versatile and knowledgeable figures in basketball media.

What's Next for UNC Basketball?

The dismissal of Hubert Davis has sent shockwaves through the college basketball world. UNC is one of the sport's blue-blood programs — a school with six national championships, a roster of NBA alumni, and one of the most passionate fan bases in the country. Whoever takes the job next will inherit both an enormous opportunity and enormous pressure.

Kenny Smith's sons being tied to the program only deepens the stakes for him personally. While he's ruled himself out as a coaching candidate, his perspective on who should lead the Tar Heels forward carries weight — both as a program legend and as a current parent of a committed recruit.

As the coaching search unfolds in the coming weeks, Smith's commentary will likely remain a touchstone for fans and media alike trying to make sense of UNC's next chapter.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kenny Smith

What is Kenny Smith doing at the 2026 Final Four?

Kenny Smith is part of Turner Sports' broadcast team covering the Final Four semifinals on April 4–5, 2026. He is also participating in an AT&T interactive digital experience at Final Four Fan Fest in San Antonio.

Who is Kenny Smith picking to win the Final Four?

Smith is picking UConn to advance from the Illinois–UConn semifinal, citing his connection to UConn associate head coach Kimani Young. He's also leaning toward Michigan over Arizona, pointing to Yaxel Lendeborg as the key difference-maker.

What is Kenny Smith's connection to UNC?

Kenny Smith was an All-American at the University of North Carolina in 1987. His son K.J. played for UNC under Roy Williams, and another son, Mallory, recently committed to play for the Tar Heels.

Did Kenny Smith say he wants to coach UNC?

No. When ESPN's Stephen A. Smith suggested Kenny Smith as a candidate for the UNC head coaching job, Kenny Smith flatly dismissed the idea, calling it "disrespectful." He has made clear he is not pursuing a coaching career.

What NBA championships did Kenny Smith win?

Kenny Smith won two NBA championships — in 1994 and 1995 — with the Houston Rockets, playing alongside Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon.

Conclusion

This Final Four weekend, Kenny Smith is more than just a broadcaster reading from a teleprompter — he's a living bridge between college basketball's past and present. From his All-American days at Chapel Hill to back-to-back NBA titles to one of the most iconic studio desks in sports television, Smith brings unmatched perspective to every conversation. His semifinal picks favor UConn and Michigan, his family legacy at UNC is growing with his son Mallory's commitment, and his sharp dismissal of the coaching suggestion shows a man who knows exactly who he is and where his value lies.

As the Final Four tips off, tune into Turner Sports for Smith's analysis — and keep watching to see how the UNC coaching search unfolds in the weeks ahead. For the latest on Smith's takes, check out coverage from Yahoo Sports and MSN Sports.