At the start of each season, Illinois men's basketball has high expectations. As the Illini made the trip to Indianapolis for their first Final Four appearance in more than two decades, there were hopes a championship would be in their fate. However, against a UConn team with 2 titles in the last 3 seasons, the Huskies' experience on the big stage helped them top Illinois, and silencing a massive crowd of orange and blue fans at Lucas Oil Stadium.
UConn got another critical 3-pointer from Braylon Mullins and coach Dan Hurley’s Huskies are heading back to the national title game. UConn beat Illinois 71-62 in the Final Four on Saturday night as the Huskies seek their third championship in four seasons. Tarris Reed Jr. had 17 points and 11 rebounds, while the fabulous freshman Mullins scored 15 for the Huskies, who rode strong inside play and tough defense to their 19th straight victory in the Sweet 16 or later rounds of the NCAA Tournament. UConn will face Michigan on Monday night as it seeks its seventh title, all since 1999.
Freshmen Braylon Mullins of UConn and Keaton Wagler of Illinois led the way for their teams in the Final Four on Saturday. Mullins had 15 points and four 3-pointers in the Huskies' 71-62 win over the Illini. Wagler finished with a game-high 20 points and eight rebounds. Mullins and Wagler became the first opposing freshmen with at least 15 points in a Final Four game since 1982. That's when Michael Jordan of North Carolina and Patrick Ewing of Georgetown were squaring off for the national title.
Illinois guard Keaton Wagler has won the 2026 Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award, the team announced Saturday.
Illinois soaking in fans at open practice ahead of Final Four battle with UConn
We are less than 24 hours away from Illinois taking on UConn in the programs first final four game in 21 years.
It's all led to this: Illinois makes its long-awaited return to the Final Four in Indianapolis against the UConn Huskies.
For the first time in over 20 years, Illinois men's basketball is back in the Final Four and chasing a national championship. Before Illinois takes the floor inside Lucas Oil Stadium, our WAND Sports team shares what this year's team has accomplished and how they've done so, while also digging into a tradition and celebration that's only strengthened since the 2005 campaign.