UConn beats Illinois in Final Four, will play for third national title in 4 years

INDIANAPOLIS — Tarris Reed Jr. posted his third double-double of the NCAA Tournament and Connecticut beat Illinois 71-62 in the Final Four to advance to Monday night’s national championship game.

The No. 3 Huskies will meet the winner of the second national semifinal between No. 1 seeds Arizona and Michigan.

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Reed had 17 points and 11 rebounds. Guard Braylon Mullins had 15 points on 5 of 14 shooting and guard Silas Demary Jr. had 5 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists. Illinois guard Keaton Wagler posted a game-high 20 points with 8 rebounds. He was joined in double figures by Tomislav Ivicic’s 16 points.

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Illinois vs UConn, title‑game pressure. See photos

Andrej Stojakovic #2 of the Illinois Fighting Illini drives to the basket against Solo Ball #1 of the UConn Huskies in the first half of the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

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Illinois vs UConn, title‑game pressure. See photos

Andrej Stojakovic #2 of the Illinois Fighting Illini drives to the basket against Solo Ball #1 of the UConn Huskies in the first half of the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

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Illinois vs UConn, title‑game pressure. See photos

Head coach Dan Hurley of the UConn Huskies reacts against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the first half in the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

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Illinois vs UConn, title‑game pressure. See photos

Tarris Reed Jr. #5 of the UConn Huskies shoots a layup against Zvonimir Ivisic #44 of the Illinois Fighting Illini in the first half of the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

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Illinois vs UConn, title‑game pressure. See photos

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Publish date : 2026-04-05 00:27:00

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