UConn withstands late Illinois push, advances to national championship game
By Ethan Stone
Published:
UConn basketball is inevitable.
The Huskies will compete for the national title on Monday night after withstanding a late push from 3-seed Illinois. UConn jumped out to an early lead and — despite a strong fight from the Illini — was able to fend the Illini off in the final minutes to score a 71-62 victory. Illinois, competing in its first Final Four since 2005, led for just 3 minutes of Saturday night’s matchup.
The Huskies will face the winner of Arizona vs. Houston, which tips off in just a few minutes from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
At this point, it’s fair to wonder if the UConn men’s basketball team has agreed to some sort of deal with the devil. The Huskies won 2 of the last 3 national titles and have now advanced to 3 of the last 4 national championship games. Dan Hurley is an incredible 18-3 in the NCAA Tournament as UConn’s head coach.
To really hammer this point home, UConn has won the championship 6 times since 1999. It’s impossible to count out a 7th the way the Huskies are playing right now.
The Huskies set the tone early in this one. Illinois, usually a great rebounding team, couldn’t grab a board in the first 12 or so minutes, leading to several second chance opportunities for the Huskies.
UConn’s defense was also stifling from the jump — Illinois was outscored 18-9 to start and, even despite a good run around the halfway point of the first half, entered halftime trailing by 8. On the other side of things, Tarris Reed and Braylon Mullins put together solid first halves and combined to score 23 of the Huskies’ 37 points across the opening 20 minutes.
It looked as if the Huskies were going to run away with it to start the second half, too. With about 8 minutes remaining, though, Illinois — boasting perhaps the best offense in the country — emptied the tank and started its push.
The Illini cut the lead to as few as 4 points with under 2 minutes remaining but just couldn’t get over the hump. Brayon Mullins, ever the hero, hit a 3-point dagger with under a minute remaining to send the Illini packing.
Now, UConn just needs an opponent. Will it be Michigan or Arizona?
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
