No. 2 UConn took a 14-point lead and held off No. 3 Illinois, 71-62, to advance to the national championship game. The Huskies return to the title game in search of their third championship in four years.
UConn nearly led this game wire-to-wire — Illinois briefly led in the first half 22-21 before the Huskies reclaimed the lead and never gave it up. UConn’s stifling defense limited Illinois’ ball movement, holding the Illini to just three total assists and forcing eight turnovers.
Meanwhile, the Huskies spread the ball around well, racking up 14 team assists as three starters put up double-digit points. Tarris Reed Jr. led UConn with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
Illinois went on an 10-0 run to close the gap late in the second half, cutting the UConn lead to four with 6:08 to play, but the Huskies locked it down and pulled away, and Braylon Mullins delivered a dagger 3-pointer to secure their spot in the championship game.
Mr. Basketball doing Mr. Basketball things back in Indy pic.twitter.com/CLWZyEpSi7
— UConn Men’s Basketball (@UConnMBB) April 5, 2026
UConn will face the winner of No. 1 Arizona and No. 1 Michigan as the Huskies chase their third title in four seasons, which would mark the best stretch since UCLA won 10 titles in 12 years from 1964-75.
