UConn Advances to NCAA Title Game After Beating Illinois 71-62/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ UConn defeated Illinois 71-62 to reach another NCAA championship game. Freshman Braylon Mullins hit a late 3-pointer to seal victory. The Huskies now face Michigan seeking their seventh national title.
UConn Illinois Final Four + Quick Looks
- UConn beats Illinois 71-62 in Final Four
- Braylon Mullins hits clutch late 3-pointer
- Tarris Reed Jr. records double-double
- Huskies reach third title game in four seasons
- UConn faces Michigan for national championship
- Illinois reaches first Final Four since 2005
- Huskies extend deep tournament dominance
- Dan Hurley eyes third championship
Deep Look: UConn Advances to NCAA Title Game After Beating Illinois 71-62
UConn powered its way into another NCAA championship game Saturday night, defeating Illinois 71-62 in a hard-fought Final Four matchup that showcased the Huskies’ toughness, defense, and clutch shooting.
Freshman Braylon Mullins delivered the decisive moment, hitting a catch-and-shoot 3-pointer with 52 seconds remaining to halt Illinois’ late rally and secure UConn’s third national title game appearance in four seasons.
The Huskies (34-5) leaned on interior strength and disciplined defense to extend their remarkable postseason dominance. Tarris Reed Jr. led UConn with 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Mullins finished with 15 points, including the crucial late shot.
Coach Dan Hurley praised his team’s toughness and competitive mindset following the victory.
“We’re a tough program, we’re a group of fighters,” Hurley said. “We go into these games ready for battle. For us, it’s not just a game — it’s a fight to get to Monday night and compete for a championship.”
UConn now advances to face Michigan with an opportunity to win its seventh national championship — all since 1999. Hurley, who guided the Huskies to titles in 2023 and 2024, is now one win away from adding another championship to his resume.
Mullins Delivers Another Clutch Moment
Mullins has emerged as one of the tournament’s breakout stars. The freshman previously delivered a dramatic 35-foot 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds remaining to defeat top-seeded Duke in the Elite Eight.
Against Illinois, Mullins again came through late. After Illinois cut the deficit and threatened to take control, Silas Demary Jr. secured an offensive rebound and found Mullins for an open 3-pointer.
The shot extended UConn’s lead to 66-59 and effectively ended Illinois’ comeback hopes.
“The set was going to be run for anybody on the team,” Mullins said. “You’ve just got to shoot with confidence. I trusted my teammates to find me, and that was the biggest shot I hit tonight.”
UConn Overcomes Offensive Struggles
UConn secured the win despite a difficult shooting night from star forward Alex Karaban. He scored nine points on 1-of-8 shooting but contributed with four rebounds and four assists.
Karaban’s experience still played a key role. With the win, he tied Bobby Hurley for second place in career NCAA tournament victories with 18.
A championship victory Monday would also place Karaban among rare company, potentially becoming the first player since UCLA’s legendary teams under John Wooden to win three NCAA titles.
UConn’s tournament dominance has been remarkable. The Huskies have not lost a tournament game beyond the opening weekend since 2009, when they fell to Michigan State in the national semifinals.
With one more victory, UConn would move into third place all-time in national championships, trailing only UCLA and Kentucky.
Illinois Falls Short Despite Strong Effort
Illinois (28-9) reached its first Final Four since 2005 but struggled offensively against UConn’s defense. Freshman Keaton Wagler led Illinois with 20 points and eight rebounds, while Tomislav Ivisic added 16 points and seven rebounds.
Wagler and Mullins became the first pair of freshmen to score at least 15 points in a Final Four game since Michael Jordan and Patrick Ewing in 1982.
Illinois struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 6-of-26 from 3-point range. The Illini also made only 3-of-14 3-point attempts in the first half.
Coach Brad Underwood acknowledged the challenge of facing a battle-tested UConn team.
“Getting here is really hard. Winning is really hard,” Underwood said. “They just made more plays when it mattered.”
UConn Holds Off Late Illinois Rally
Despite building a 57-43 lead midway through the second half, UConn experienced a scoring drought that allowed Illinois to cut the deficit to 57-53 with just over five minutes remaining.
However, the Huskies responded with key defensive stops and Mullins’ late 3-pointer before closing the game at the free-throw line.
The win marked UConn’s fifth straight victory over Illinois, including previous matchups earlier this season and in past tournaments.
Illinois shot just 35% from the field, highlighting UConn’s defensive dominance.
Hurley’s Program Continues Championship Run
Coach Dan Hurley has transformed UConn into one of college basketball’s most dominant programs in recent years. While acknowledging the team’s struggles throughout the season, Hurley emphasized resilience.
“The year hasn’t been a joy ride,” Hurley said. “We haven’t been a machine of destruction. We’ve been a team that’s had to grind out games like this.”
That gritty approach has carried UConn back to the national championship stage once again.
With Michigan awaiting in the title game, the Huskies now have a chance to further cement their place among college basketball’s elite programs.
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