The dynasty run continues for the UConn Huskies. Behind clutch freshman shot-making and dominant interior play, UConn powered past the Illinois Fighting Illini 71–62 on Saturday night in the Final Four, advancing to the national championship game for the third time in four years. With the victory, the Huskies (34–5) extended their remarkable NCAA Tournament dominance and moved one win away from a seventh national title.
Freshman guard Braylon Mullins once again delivered when the spotlight was brightest. Mullins, who stunned top-seeded Duke in the Elite Eight with a 35-foot buzzer-beater, knocked down another decisive late 3-pointer with 52 seconds remaining against Illinois. After an offensive rebound by Silas Demary Jr., Mullins calmly buried a catch-and-shoot triple to extend the lead to 66–59 and halt the Illini’s late surge. It was his only basket of the second half—but easily the biggest—finishing with 15 points in another signature performance.
Inside, Tarris Reed Jr. provided the muscle UConn needed, recording 17 points and 11 rebounds to anchor the Huskies’ physical presence in the paint. His work helped offset a difficult shooting night from star forward Alex Karaban, who managed nine points on 1-of-8 shooting but contributed four rebounds and four assists while continuing to build his already historic tournament résumé.
The Huskies’ defense proved just as critical as their rebounding edge. Illinois struggled to find rhythm from deep early, making only three of 14 3-pointers in the first half and finishing just 6 of 26 from beyond the arc overall. UConn’s physicality and discipline limited the Illini to one of their least efficient offensive outings of the season—mirroring similar defensive success in earlier matchups between the teams.
Freshman guard Keaton Wagler led Illinois with 20 points and eight rebounds, while Tomislav Ivisic added 16 points and seven boards. Wagler’s performance paired with Mullins’ effort marked the first time since 1982 that two freshmen scored at least 15 points in a Final Four game—the last duo being Michael Jordan and Patrick Ewing.
Despite trailing by 14 midway through the second half, Illinois clawed back within four at 57–53 with just over five minutes remaining. But UConn responded with poise, timely stops, and clutch free-throw shooting to close the game and secure its fifth straight win in the all-time series against the Illini.
Even with Karaban struggling offensively, UConn’s championship pedigree showed through. The Huskies leaned on their depth, defense, and composure to improve to 19 straight victories in NCAA Tournament games played beyond the Sweet 16—a staggering stretch that underscores the program’s dominance in March.
Head coach Dan Hurley now has UConn positioned to make even more history. A win Monday night against Michigan would give the Huskies their seventh national championship—all since 1999—and could make Hurley the only active coach with more than two NCAA titles.
Karaban also has a chance to join rare company. With one more victory, he would become the first player since John Wooden’s legendary UCLA era to finish his career as a three-time national champion.
For Illinois (28–9), the loss ended a memorable run to the program’s first Final Four appearance since 2005. But for UConn, the mission remains unfinished.
One more win stands between the Huskies and another banner—and perhaps another chapter in one of college basketball’s modern dynasties.
