UConn and Illinois to Face Off in NCAA Tournament Final Four

The Huskies and Fighting Illini will meet in the national semifinals on Saturday.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 1:05am

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The UConn Huskies have advanced to the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament after a dramatic buzzer-beater victory over Duke in the Elite Eight. They will now take on the No. 3 seed Illinois Fighting Illini in the national semifinals on Saturday at 6:09 p.m. ET, with the game being broadcast on TBS and truTV.

Why it matters

This matchup features two of the top teams in the country, with UConn looking to make its third national championship game appearance in four seasons under head coach Dan Hurley. Illinois, led by Brad Underwood, is also seeking its first title since 2005.

The details

The Huskies and Fighting Illini met earlier this season, with UConn earning a 74-61 victory. In their last NCAA Tournament meeting in 2024, the Huskies went on a dominant 30-0 run in the Elite Eight en route to their second straight national title.

  • The UConn vs. Illinois Final Four matchup will tip off on Saturday, April 5, 2026 at 6:09 p.m. ET.
  • The national championship game will be played on Monday, April 7, 2026.

The players

Dan Hurley

The head coach of the UConn Huskies, who has led the team to three Final Four appearances in four seasons.

Brad Underwood

The head coach of the Illinois Fighting Illini, who is seeking his first national championship.

Braylon Mullins

The UConn guard who hit the dramatic buzzer-beater to defeat Duke in the Elite Eight.

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What they’re saying

“Onions! Braylon Mullins with the buzzer-beater to send UConn to the Final Four!”

— Bill Raftery, Color Commentator

“This UConn team is really special. They've got the talent and the experience to win it all this year.”

— Grant Hill, Analyst

What’s next

The winner of the UConn vs. Illinois matchup will advance to the national championship game on Monday, April 7, 2026 to face the winner of the other Final Four game between Arizona and Michigan.

The takeaway

This Final Four matchup between UConn and Illinois features two of the top programs in college basketball, with the Huskies looking to continue their recent dominance and the Fighting Illini seeking their first title in over 20 years. The game should be an exciting and hard-fought battle between two talented teams.