UConn Controls the Pace, Tops Illinois 71–62 in March Madness 2026 Men’s Basketball Semifinal
Third-seeded Illinois faced second-seeded UConn in Indianapolis for a Final Four matchup to determine who would advance to the national championship. Both teams are led by standout individual performers. The Illini rely on star freshman Keaton Wagler, while Tarris Reed Jr. catalyzes the Huskies. Ultimately, the Huskies would come away from it as the dominant team throughout the game in a contest where everyone contributed offensively finishing 71-62.
Early Momentum Swings and First Half Battle
Guard Braylon Mullins, UConn’s hero in the Duke game, scored the first points with a shot beyond the arc after both teams exchanged possessions. In response, Illinois got on the board with free throws from Guard Kylan Boswell before Mullins quickly followed with another three-pointer. A layup by Wagler brought points for Illinois, and then Forward David Mirkovic blocked Mullins’ layup attempt, which led to an Illinois basket in transition. Reed Jr. answered by slamming it down for UConn, forcing an Illinois timeout. Up to this point, UConn had been maintaining momentum, especially by challenging Illinois in the paint, an area where Illinois usually dominates. With 13:20 left, UConn led 18-9. However, the momentum then clearly shifted as Illinois began attacking inside with more aggression, forcing the Huskies into foul trouble and giving the Illini opportunities at the free-throw line. As UConn eased up, Illinois capitalized, going on a scoring run and taking its first lead at 22-21 with just under eight minutes to go.
UConn Regains Control Before Halftime
Shortly after Illinois took the lead, the Big East powerhouse’s forward lofted it up, giving the Huskies a one-point advantage. This lead was quickly extended when Alex Karaban stole the ball, leading to Illinois' first turnover of the game. The Huskies moved fast, and the Huskies’ hero from the Duke game added to the lead with a three-point play. Wagler answered for Illinois with a layup, but Tarris countered for UConn with a hook shot. Then, Solomon Ball and Karaban hit back-to-back threes for UConn, which stretched the lead by 10 points. Illinois' Tomislav Ivisic responded with a three-pointer of his own. After Wagler lost the ball, Mullins connected on another three. Refusing to let the gap widen further, the Midwest program got a layup from Wagler and a defensive block by Ben Humrichous to close the half. At halftime, the Huskies led 37-29, with the Illini freshman star leading Illinois at 10 points and Mullins topping the Huskies with 12.
Second Half Adjustments and Foul Trouble
To begin the second half, the versatile forward was fouled, and a couple of free throws restored the Huskies' lead to 10. Sensing the urgency after halftime, Illinois ramped up the defensive pressure. However, UConn responded as Silas Demary Jr. sank the three. Soon after, the Connecticut forward picked up his third foul of the night on Wagler. At the other end, Mirkovic cut the lead to eight with a three-pointer, but Demary Jr. again found an open look and hit another three. With just under 15 minutes to play, free throws by The UConn wing increased Illinois' largest deficit of the night. In the next sequence, Jake Davis stole from ‘Solo Ball’ and drew the foul, returning the lead to ten. Notably, UConn committed its first turnovers of the game in these last four possessions, after going turnover-free for the first 39. In response, Huskies head coach Dan Hurley made adjustments as three UConn players entered foul trouble and put Illinois into the bonus.
Illinois Late Run Creates Drama
Despite the orange-and-blue team’s increased aggressiveness, the defending champions carried an eight-point lead into the last eight minutes. Ivisic made a couple of free throws to put the Illini within six as Mullins attempted a fade-away jumpshot, but he was blocked by Humrichous. Building on this defensive play, Andrej Stojakovic snatched the rebound and scored the layup, closing the gap on UConn as Illinois went on a 10-0 run. However, Reed Jr. ended UConn’s scoring drought with a layup, and the Huskies backcourt player followed up with a dunk to extend the Huskies’ lead. Humrichous then put up a three, assisted by Stojakovic. Shortly after, free throws by Reed Jr. pushed UConn’s advantage back to seven points with two and a half minutes remaining.
Mullins and Reed Jr. Seal the Win
A layup by Wagler increased his total to 17 points as Illinois clawed within four, with a minute and a half to go. During this tense stretch, UConn had yet to respond and hadn’t scored in the last two minutes. At that crucial moment, Mullins sank a huge triple going into the final minute. Immediately, Wagler answered with a three-pointer of his own, prompting Illinois to call its final timeout. With time running out, Demary Jr. was sent to the line and made both free throws. The Big Ten freshman then took the ball downcourt and missed a three-pointer, allowing UConn to take control in the closing seconds. Reed Jr. shoots two more from the line to secure UConn’s place in this year's National Championship game, 71-62. Point leader for the Huskies was Tarris Reed Jr. with 17 points who sends UConn back to face the winner of Arizona and Michigan.
