UConn and Illinois to Face Off in Final Four Rematch

No. 2 UConn and No. 3 Illinois will meet in the NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four on Saturday.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 1:06pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a college basketball game, with players and the court broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes in a cubist style.A cubist interpretation of the high-stakes Final Four matchup between UConn and Illinois, capturing the intensity and strategic complexity of the game.Indianapolis Today

The 2nd-seeded UConn men's basketball team will face a rematch against the 3rd-seeded Illinois Fighting Illini in the Final Four of the NCAA tournament on Saturday at 6:09 p.m. in Indianapolis. The game will be broadcast on TBS and TNT, as well as streamed on the March Madness App. UConn and Illinois previously met earlier this season, with the Huskies winning 74-61 at Madison Square Garden.

Why it matters

This matchup features two of the top teams in the country, with UConn looking to win its third national championship in four years and Illinois seeking its first title since 2005. The winner will advance to the national championship game on Monday.

The details

UConn enters the game with a 33-5 record after rallying from a 19-point deficit to beat top-seeded Duke in the Elite Eight and defeating Michigan State and UCLA earlier in the tournament. Illinois, meanwhile, has an impressive 28-8 record and has knocked off Iowa, Houston, VCU, and Penn to reach the Final Four.

  • The game is set for Saturday, April 5, 2026 at 6:09 p.m. ET.
  • UConn and Illinois previously met on November 28, 2025, with UConn winning 74-61.

The players

UConn Huskies

The 2nd-seeded UConn men's basketball team, a perennial NCAA tournament contender that has won two national championships in the last three years.

Illinois Fighting Illini

The 3rd-seeded Illinois men's basketball team, making its first Final Four appearance since 2005 and seeking its first national title since that year.

Braylon Mullins

UConn freshman who hit the game-winning three-pointer to beat Duke in the Elite Eight.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited for the opportunity to play Illinois again. They're a tough, well-coached team and we know it will be a battle, but we're confident in our ability to compete at the highest level.”

— Dan Hurley, Head Coach, UConn Huskies

“This is the kind of game you dream about as a player - the chance to take on one of the best teams in the country with a trip to the national championship on the line. We're ready for the challenge.”

— Terrence Shannon Jr., Forward, Illinois Fighting Illini

What’s next

The winner of Saturday's game will play either No. 1 Arizona or No. 1 Michigan in the national championship game on Monday at 9 p.m. on TBS.

The takeaway

This Final Four matchup between UConn and Illinois features two of the top teams in the country and promises to be an exciting, high-stakes battle. The winner will have the chance to compete for the national title and cement their legacy as one of the best teams in college basketball this season.