UConn and Illinois advance to March Madness Final Four

Huskies and Fighting Illini to face off in national semifinal

Mar. 30, 2026 at 7:35pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the dynamic movements and energy of a college basketball game, with the players' forms abstracted into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes.The Final Four clash between UConn and Illinois promises an intense, high-stakes battle between two storied college basketball programs.Indianapolis Today

No. 2 seed UConn and No. 3 seed Illinois have both advanced to the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. The Huskies defeated Duke in the final seconds, while the Fighting Illini also secured a spot in the national semifinal.

Why it matters

The Final Four matchup between UConn and Illinois will feature two of the most storied programs in college basketball history, setting up an exciting showdown for a spot in the national championship game.

The details

UConn punched its ticket to the Final Four with a dramatic last-second victory over Duke. Braylon Mullins hit the game-winning shot for the Huskies, capping off a thrilling comeback. Illinois also earned its place in the national semifinal with a hard-fought win, setting up a clash between the two powerhouse programs.

  • The Final Four game between UConn and Illinois will take place on Saturday, April 4 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
  • UConn defeated Duke in the Elite Eight on March 29th to advance to the Final Four.

The players

Braylon Mullins

A junior guard for the UConn Huskies who hit the game-winning shot to defeat Duke and send his team to the Final Four.

UConn Huskies

A Division I men's basketball team that has won four national championships and is one of the most successful programs in college basketball history.

Illinois Fighting Illini

The Division I men's basketball team of the University of Illinois, which has also won multiple national titles and is considered one of the elite programs in the sport.

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What they’re saying

“We've been working all season for this moment, and I'm so proud of my team for stepping up when it counted most.”

— Braylon Mullins, UConn Guard

“Illinois and UConn are two of the most storied programs in college basketball, so this Final Four matchup is going to be an instant classic.”

— Dick Vitale, ESPN Analyst

What’s next

The winner of the UConn-Illinois game will advance to the national championship game on April 6.

The takeaway

The Final Four matchup between the Huskies and Fighting Illini will feature two of the most successful and recognizable teams in college basketball, setting the stage for an epic showdown with a spot in the national title game on the line.