UConn Beats Illinois 71-62 to Reach 3rd National Title Game in 4 Seasons

Fabulous freshman Braylon Mullins hits another clutch 3-pointer to lead Huskies to championship showdown

Apr. 5, 2026 at 5:18am

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The UConn Huskies defeated the Illinois Fighting Illini 71-62 in the Final Four to reach their third national championship game in the last four seasons. Freshman Braylon Mullins hit a crucial 3-pointer late in the game to seal the victory for UConn, which rode strong interior play and tough defense to the win. The Huskies, led by coach Dan Hurley, will now face either Arizona or Michigan in the title game as they seek their seventh national championship.

Why it matters

UConn's sustained excellence under coach Dan Hurley has cemented the program as one of the premier college basketball powers of the 2020s. Reaching their third national title game in four seasons is a remarkable accomplishment, and a testament to the Huskies' ability to reload with talented young players like Braylon Mullins. This run also cements Hurley's status as one of the top coaches in the game, as he looks to add to his two previous national titles.

The details

UConn got another clutch 3-pointer from freshman Braylon Mullins late in the game to pull away from Illinois. Mullins finished with 15 points, while Tarris Reed Jr. added a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. UConn's stifling defense held Illinois to just 35% shooting and 6-of-26 from 3-point range. The Huskies overcame some offensive struggles from star forward Alex Karaban, who had just 9 points on 1-of-8 shooting.

  • UConn beat Illinois 74-61 on November 28 in Madison Square Garden.
  • UConn beat Illinois 77-52 in the Elite Eight two years ago.

The players

Braylon Mullins

A fabulous freshman guard for UConn who hit a crucial 3-pointer late in the game to seal the victory. Mullins finished with 15 points.

Tarris Reed Jr.

The UConn big man had a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds, providing a strong interior presence for the Huskies.

Alex Karaban

The UConn star forward struggled with his shot, going 1-of-8, but still contributed 9 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists.

Keaton Wagler

The Illinois freshman guard led the Fighting Illini with 20 points and 8 rebounds in the losing effort.

Tomislav Ivisic

The Illinois forward had 16 points and 7 rebounds, but the Illini couldn't overcome UConn's stifling defense.

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What they’re saying

“We're a tough program, we're a group of fighters. We've got incredible will. We go into these games, we're ready for battle. For us, it's not a game that we're just kind of running around in uniforms throwing the ball around, hoping it goes in. That's not what we're doing out there. We're fighting. It's a life-and-death struggle for us to get to Monday night for the opportunity to win a championship.”

— Dan Hurley, UConn Head Coach

“The set was going to be run for anybody on the team. You've just got to shoot with confidence. Just trying to find the best look on the floor, and I know our point guards are going to get us the ball, so I think that was the biggest shot I hit tonight.”

— Braylon Mullins, UConn Freshman Guard

“It's margins, they're so small. Getting here is really hard. Winning is really hard. It's why I have so much appreciation for Alex Karaban. He's been to three of them. That's freaky. It's a rebound, it's a loose ball, it's a ball rolling in, it's a banked 3.”

— Brad Underwood, Illinois Head Coach

What’s next

UConn will face either Arizona or Michigan in the national championship game on Monday night, as they look to win their seventh national title.

The takeaway

UConn's sustained excellence under coach Dan Hurley has cemented the program as one of the premier college basketball powers of the 2020s. Reaching their third national title game in four seasons is a remarkable accomplishment, and a testament to the Huskies' ability to reload with talented young players like Braylon Mullins.