UConn pushed its way back onto the sport’s biggest stage Saturday night, grinding past Illinois 71-62 in Indianapolis to reach its third national championship game in four seasons. Dan Hurley’s team leaned on toughness, rebounding, and late shot‑making to extend its remarkable postseason streak.
Freshman Braylon Mullins delivered the dagger for the Huskies, drilling a catch‑and‑shoot three with 52 seconds left. It was his only basket of the second half, but it came at the perfect moment, stretching the lead to 66-59 and stopping Illinois’ final surge.
Tarris Reed Jr. powered UConn inside with 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Mullins added 15. The Huskies improved to 34-5 and secured their 19th straight NCAA Tournament win in games played in the Sweet 16 or later.
Hurley’s culture of fight shows again
Hurley praised his team’s grit, saying the Huskies treat every postseason game like a battle. UConn now sits one win away from its seventh national championship since 1999. A victory Monday would also make Hurley the only active coach with more than two titles.
Alex Karaban struggled from the field but still contributed across the board. His appearance in another Final Four tied him with Bobby Hurley for second all‑time in March Madness wins by a player. One more championship would make him the first three‑time champion since the UCLA dynasty.
Illinois’ run ends despite strong freshman play
Illinois freshman Keaton Wagler scored 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while Tomislav Ivisic added 16. The Illini reached their first Final Four since 2005 but couldn’t match UConn’s physicality or shot‑making.
Illinois shot just 6-for-26 from three-point range and couldn’t replicate the offensive rhythm that carried them through earlier rounds. Still, Wagler and Mullins became the first pair of freshmen to score 15 or more in a Final Four game since Michael Jordan and Patrick Ewing in 1982.
UConn’s defense closes the door again
The Huskies held Illinois to 35 percent shooting and limited the Illini to their two lowest scoring totals of the season in their two meetings. UConn also beat Illinois earlier this year at Madison Square Garden and in the 2022 Elite Eight.
Despite two long scoring droughts, UConn controlled the game’s biggest moments and closed it out at the free‑throw line. The Huskies now move on to face Michigan for the national title.
