UConn reaches third national title game in four seasons
abcnews.com • • sports
Key Points:
- UConn defeated Illinois 71-62 to advance to their third national championship game in four years, led by freshman Braylon Mullins' crucial late 3-pointer and Tarris Reed Jr.'s double-double performance.
- Mullins, who also hit a game-winning 35-foot 3-pointer against Duke, scored 15 points, while Illinois' Keaton Wagler had 20 points in a closely contested Final Four matchup.
- UConn's strong inside play and defense limited Illinois to 35% shooting and their lowest scoring totals of the season, overcoming two significant scoring droughts to secure the win.
- The Huskies aim for their seventh national title, with coach Dan Hurley seeking to become the only active coach with more than two championships, while Illinois made their first Final Four appearance since 2005.
- UConn player Alex Karaban tied a record for career March Madness wins and could become the first three-time champion player since the UCLA teams of the 1960s and 1970s if they win the title.
