Illini Return to Final Four, Set for Showdown with UConn

No. 3 Illinois rides dominant tournament run into national semifinal against defending power at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 3:22pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the action of a basketball game, with overlapping planes of color representing the players, court, and energy of the competition.The highly anticipated Final Four matchup between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the UConn Huskies promises an intense, high-stakes battle on the hardwood.Indianapolis Today

The Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team has advanced to the Final Four for the first time since 2005, and will face the UConn Huskies in Saturday's national semifinal at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Illini, a No. 3 seed, have surged through the NCAA Tournament with a combination of high-powered offense and stifling defense, winning their four tournament games by an average margin of nearly 20 points.

Why it matters

Illinois' return to the Final Four marks a significant milestone for the program, which is seeking its first national championship. The Illini have a chance to make history and cement their status as one of the top teams in college basketball, but they face a formidable challenge in the defending champion UConn Huskies, who have had Illinois' number in recent years.

The details

The Illini (28-8) have been led by a balanced attack, with freshman guard Keaton Wagler averaging 17.5 points per game in the tournament and being named the South Region's Most Outstanding Player. Andrej Stojakovic and David Mirkovic have provided consistent scoring, while center Tomislav Ivisic has stretched defenses with his outside shooting. The Illini defense has also been impressive, holding three straight opponents under 60 points.

  • The Final Four matchup between Illinois and UConn is set for Saturday, April 5, 2026 at 5:09 p.m. CT.
  • Illinois is making its sixth Final Four appearance, but the program is still seeking its first national championship.

The players

Brad Underwood

The head coach of the Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team, who has led the team to the Final Four for the first time since 2005.

Keaton Wagler

A freshman guard for the Illinois Fighting Illini, who has been the team's leading scorer in the NCAA Tournament and was named the South Region's Most Outstanding Player.

UConn Huskies

The defending champion men's basketball team that will face Illinois in the Final Four, and has had the Illini's number in recent years, leading the all-time series 4-1.

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What they’re saying

“This group has really found its rhythm at the right time. They're connected on both ends of the floor, and that's what it takes to get to this point.”

— Brad Underwood, Head Coach, Illinois Fighting Illini

What’s next

The winner of Saturday's semifinal between Illinois and UConn will advance to Monday night's national championship game to face either the Arizona Wildcats or the Michigan Wolverines.

The takeaway

Illinois' return to the Final Four after 17 years is a testament to the program's resurgence under head coach Brad Underwood. The Illini have the opportunity to capture their first national championship, but they must first overcome the defending champion UConn Huskies, who have had their number in recent matchups.