Photo: Christine Tannous ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
DETROIT, MICH. ~ UConn punched its ticket to the national championship game with a gritty 71-62 win over Illinois in Saturday’s Final Four matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Huskies set the tone early and leaned on their defense all night, forcing Illinois into difficult looks and holding the Illini to 6-for-26 shooting from 3-point range (23%). Freshman Braylon Mullins set the tempo and delivered the biggest shot of the night late, finishing with 15 points, while senior center Tarris Reed Jr. anchored the paint with a 17-point, 11-rebound double-double as UConn built a lead that never fully cracked.
Illinois made a push in the second half behind freshman Keaton Wagler, who scored a game-high 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds, but UConn answered every run. The Huskies committed just four turnovers, limited Illinois to no fast-break points, and knocked down timely shots, including 12 3-pointers as a team. Junior Silas Demary Jr. filled the stat sheet with seven assists and nine rebounds, and UConn’s composure at the free throw line late sealed the result, sending Dan Hurley’s group back to the title game with a chance at a third championship in four seasons.
UConn will play the winner of Arizona-Michigan on Monday night.
PODCAST
April 3, 2026 ~ Nick Bahe, Analyst for Westwood One, stops by Radio Row in Indy to chat with Kevin.
