UConn Basketball Legends Show Up for Final Four Win

Coach Dan Hurley thanks program icons for supporting team's championship push.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 3:39pm

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The UConn Huskies men's basketball team advanced to the national championship game with a win over Illinois in the Final Four. After the game, head coach Dan Hurley made sure to acknowledge the many program legends in attendance, including Ray Allen and Richard Hamilton, who came to support the team's quest for another title.

Why it matters

UConn has established itself as one of the premier college basketball programs over the past decade, winning multiple national championships. The presence of so many iconic Huskies players at the Final Four underscores the strong alumni support and tradition of excellence that has fueled the team's sustained success.

The details

UConn got off to a strong start against Illinois and maintained control for most of the game, fending off a late comeback attempt to secure the victory and a spot in the national championship. After the win, Hurley praised the former UConn stars in attendance, saying their presence as 'warriors' meant everything to the current team as they continue their championship pursuit.

  • The Final Four matchup between UConn and Illinois took place on Saturday, April 5, 2026.
  • The national championship game is scheduled for Monday, April 7, 2026 at 8:50 pm ET.

The players

Dan Hurley

The head coach of the UConn men's basketball team, who has led the Huskies to three national championship games in the last four years.

Ray Allen

A legendary UConn basketball player who won a national championship with the Huskies in 1999 and went on to have a Hall of Fame NBA career.

Richard Hamilton

A UConn basketball icon who led the Huskies to the 1999 national title and later won an NBA championship with the Detroit Pistons.

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What they’re saying

“We've got a bunch of the former players here. It means everything for us to show up as warriors for our battles and wars that we do in sports.”

— Dan Hurley, Head Coach, UConn Basketball

What’s next

UConn will face Michigan in the national championship game on Monday, April 7, 2026. The Huskies will be seeking their third national title in the last four years.

The takeaway

UConn's continued success and championship-level play has fostered a strong alumni connection, with many of the program's all-time greats showing up to support the current team's quest for another national title. This level of support from legendary Huskies players underscores the winning culture and tradition that has been built at UConn over the past decade.