UConn dispatches Illinois to make third men's national title game in four years

Michigan, Arizona, Illinois, and UConn are in the Final Four. Colin Cowherd discusses the matchups and asks if this is the best Final Four ever.

The UConn Huskies men’s basketball team is headed back to the national championship game for the third time in the last four years after defeating the Illinois Fighting Illini, 71-62, in the Final Four.

The Huskies, who were leading by as much as 14 points, fended off a late 10-0 run from Illinois to keep their championship hopes alive. Tarris Reed Jr. ended the run with a lay-up in the paint, then a turnover led to a Solo Ball one-handed slam.

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UConn forward Jayden Ross celebrates his shot against Illinois during the first half of an NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game at the Final Four in Indianapolis on April 4, 2026. (Abbie Parr/AP)

UConn will be in a position to win three national championships in four years and give head coach Dan Hurley a place to call his program a dynasty.

The Big East champions, and the No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, needed heroics from freshman Braylon Mullins to get past the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight. Mullins stepped up in a big way against the Fighting Illini.

Mullins’ only made shot against Duke was the game-winner. It didn’t take him 40 minutes to score for UConn as he hit the first 3-pointer he attempted against Illinois. He had 12 points in the first half as UConn held a nine-point lead. He finished with 15 points.

Reed led UConn with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Reed’s poised play was needed as it looked like the Fighting Illini were going to come back in the game. He was 6-of-12 from the field and made each of the five free throws he attempted, despite being a 59%