UConn’s Final Four triumph vs. Illinois was a repeat special of past head-to-head history

UConn’s Final Four triumph vs. Illinois was a repeat special of past head-to-head history originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The UConn Huskies no longer overwhelm you with a single blow. They keep coming at you until you give in. On Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind., Illinois (28-9) fought hard, but the Huskies (34-5) kept scoring.

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In a national semifinal filled with missed layups and tough threes, every possession felt like a struggle. UConn’s championship spirit led them to a 71–62 victory. This game was different from the blowout UConn delivered to Illinois in the 2024 Elite Eight. This was a tough, possession-by-possession battle. Huskies coach Dan Hurley enjoyed every moment of it.

“We’re a tough program,” Hurley said afterward. “We’re a group of fighters. It might not appeal to everyone, but we show up as warriors.”

The Huskies won because they made the plays that Illinois couldn’t. They sank 12 threes and had only four turnovers. Silas Demary Jr., playing on a bad ankle, grabbed a crucial offensive rebound, which led to Braylon Mullins’ key three-pointer in the closing minutes. Tarris Reed Jr. contributed 17 points and 11 rebounds, maintaining his status as one of the tournament’s top players.

Illinois struggled, shooting just 33.9 percent from the field and missing many close shots. Tomislav Ivisic called it “bad luck.”

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Illinois coach Brad Underwood referred to it as “the margins.”

“You hold a team to 35 percent and feel like you did everything right,” Underwood said. “But the ball has to go in.” Keaton Wagler, with 20 points and 8 rebounds, and Ivisic, with 16 points, led the Illini in scoring.

However, Illinois finished with only three assists, a shocking stat for a team that averaged 15 per game. UConn’s defense, with its switching and physicality,…

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Publish date : 2026-04-05 19:01:00

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