The 2026 edition of the men’s NCAA tournament has brought the madness that defines March, featuring upsets and memorable moments.
Indianapolis is set to host the Final Four, where four top-three seeds will compete for a chance to play in the national championship game.
UConn’s Path to the Final Four
UConn’s journey to the Final Four included the following results:
- Round of 64: 82-71 vs. No. 15 Furman
- Round of 32: 73-57 vs. No. 7 UCLA
- Sweet 16: 67-63 vs. No. 3 Michigan State
- Elite Eight: 73-72 vs. No. 1 Duke
Key Factors in UConn’s Success
Tarris Reed Jr. and the team’s experience have been instrumental in UConn’s Final Four run. Three players in the starting rotation have been in coach Dan Hurley’s system for at least two years.
Freshman Braylon Mullins, despite an inconsistent season, made a significant contribution. With 0.4 seconds left, Mullins hit a 3-pointer to send UConn to the Final Four.
UConn’s defence also stepped up against Duke. After allowing Duke to score at a rate of 147 points per 100 possessions in the first half, UConn held them to 100 points per 100 possessions in the second half.
Player Spotlight: Solo Ball
Solo Ball’s performance will be important for UConn’s chances. Ball’s scoring average has decreased in March, from 14.1 points per game between November and February to 8.5 points per game.
When Ball contributes as a playmaker, the Huskies perform better. He scored 15 points in UConn’s 74-61 victory over Illinois in November.
Potential Weakness: Free Throw Disparity
UConn struggles with free throw opportunities. Dan Hurley’s team is among the worst in America at both preventing opponents from getting to the free throw line and generating their own free throw attempts.
In UConn’s five losses, their opponents had 128 free throw attempts compared to their 80. This could be a factor against Illinois, who are the No. 1 team in defensive free throw rate.
The road ends in Indianapolis, where four top-three seeds will face off in Saturday’s Final Four for a chance to advance to Monday’s national championship game.