UConn Beats Illinois 71-62, Advances to Championship
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- UConn defeated Illinois 71-62 in the Final Four, advancing to the championship game.
- Braylon Mullins hit a 3‑point shot with 52 seconds remaining, giving UConn a 66‑59 lead and sealing the win.
- UConn held Illinois to 34% shooting from the field and committed zero turnovers in the first half, a record under coach Dan Hurley.
- UConn made 12 early 3‑pointers, the most ever for the program in a Final Four game according to ESPN research.
- Dan Hurley could become the first coach in more than five decades to win a third national title in four seasons.
- Alex Karaban is the only holdover from UConn’s 2023 and 2024 championship teams and said he will return for the title game.
- Tarris Reed Jr. posted 17 points and 11 rebounds against Illinois, being described as possibly the best player in the NCAA tournament.
Why it matters: UConn secures a championship berth, positioning the Huskies to potentially become the first program in over half a century to capture three national titles in four years, while coach Dan Hurley eyes a historic third title. Illinois, meanwhile, sees its tournament run end.
