On Saturday, Coach Dan Hurley’s UConn Huskies defeated Coach Brad Underwood’s Illinois Fighting Illini 71-62 in the NCAA Final Four of the national tournament in neutral territory, the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.
UConn vs Illinois Box Score
UConn
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | PF |
| A. Karaban | 9 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| T. Reed Jr. | 17 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| B. Mullins | 15 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| S. Demary Jr. | 7 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| S. Ball | 13 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| J. Ross | 7 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| J. Stewart | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| E. Reibe | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| M. Smith | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
Illinois
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | PF |
| D. Mirkovic | 6 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| J. Davis | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| T. Ivisic | 16 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| K. Wagler | 20 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| K. Boswell | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| B. Humrichous | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Z. Ivisic | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| A. Stojakovic | 9 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
UConn vs Illinois Game Summary
Fresh off his now iconic game-winning three-pointer in his team’s Elite Eight victory, UConn Huskies guard Braylon Mullins started things off with a three-pointer at the 18:24 mark of the first period. This was immediately answered by Keaton Wagler and company, as they got within one point, 8-7. From here, though, the Connecticut-based program took control of the game, looking more poised with experience, 21-17, halfway through.
The latter half of the period opened with Illinois Fighting Illini stalwart Tomislav Ivisic willing his team to lead 22-21. As coach Brad Underwood’s team held on to this lead for some time, UConn sharpshooter Alex Karaban found his big man, Tarris Reed Jr., to snatch the edge back. From here, the established scorers of each squad made their presence known. Still, the Huskies’ charge was too overwhelming, as they led 37-29 at halftime.
To open the second half, UConn sustained its double-digit lead with the leadership of Karaban, and the rest of the team followed suit. The Illinois-based program found itself trading baskets with the 2024 national champions, as they could not get within single digits. Dan Hurley‘s squad continued to lead by about 10-12 points. Come the midway mark of the second period, they were ahead 54-43.
At the 8:03 mark of the second half, the Fighting Illini finally got within single digits through a pair of free throws by Ivisic. Illinois did everything it could to cut the deficit, as it slowly but surely trimmed down UConn’s lead. With 1:38 remaining, the Huskies were up by just four, 63-59. The Huskies booked their third national title game ticket in four years with a 71-62 win.
Read More: UConn vs. Illinois Prediction, Starting Lineup And Injury Report For Final Four
Also Read: Dan Hurley’s Secret Text to Final Four Opponent Brad Underwood Revealed by UConn Insider
Also Read:
Dan Hurley’s Secret Text to Final Four Opponent Brad Underwood Revealed by UConn Insider
UConn vs. Illinois Prediction, Starting Lineup And Injury Report For Final Four
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