UConn are heading back to the national title game after beating Illinois 71-62 in the Final Four on Saturday night.
They are seeking their third championship in four seasons.
Coach Dan Hurley’s Huskies got another critical three-pointer from Braylon Mullins.
Mullins Shines as UConn Advances
Tarris Reed Jr had 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Huskies (34-5). Freshman Braylon Mullins scored 15.
UConn rode strong inside play and tough defence to their 19th straight victory in the Sweet 16 or later rounds of the NCAA Tournament.
UConn will face Arizona or Michigan on Monday night as they seek their seventh title, all since 1999, and third under Hurley, who would become the only active coach with more than two.
Freshmen Make Their Mark
Mullins hit a catch-and-shoot three with 52 seconds left to give UConn a 66-59 lead. It was his only basket of the second half.
Keaton Wagler had 20 points and eight rebounds to lead the Fighting Illini (28-9), who reached their first Final Four since losing the championship game to North Carolina in 2005.
Wagler and Mullins became the first pair of freshmen to top 15 points in a Final Four game since Michael Jordan and Patrick Ewing in 1982.
Karaban Chasing History
Alex Karaban had nine points on 1-of-8 shooting while adding four rebounds and four assists.
He’s trying to become the first player since John Wooden’s dominant UCLA teams in the 1960s and 1970s to finish his career as a three-time champion. He also tied Hurley’s brother, Bobby, for second on the career list with 18 March Madness victories.
The Huskies haven’t lost a tournament game played past the opening weekend since 2009, when they fell in the national semi-finals to Michigan State.
With one more victory, they would break a tie with North Carolina and move into third place alone in national titles, trailing only UCLA (11) and Kentucky (eight).