UConn Defeats Illinois, Advances to NCAA Championship

The No. 2‑seeded Huskies edged No. 3 seed Illinois 71‑62 in the national semifinal on Saturday, securing a berth in Monday’s title game in Indianapolis. Freshman Braylon Mullins, who had been the hero of the Elite Eight, delivered the decisive blow with a three‑pointer from the left wing with 52 seconds left, extending the lead to 66‑59. He finished with 15 points.

UConn built a 14‑point cushion in the second half, hitting 12 three‑pointers – a program record – while limiting Illinois to just six from beyond the arc. The Illini rallied to within four points twice, but missed opportunities, including a late three by Keaton Wagler and free‑throw misses, doomed the comeback.

The win lines up UConn against Michigan, which dispatched Arizona 91‑73, setting up a championship showdown between two Big Ten‑adjacent powerhouses.