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The UConn Huskies men’s basketball team is headed back to the national championship game for the third time in the last four years after defeating the Illinois Fighting Illini, 71-62, in the Final Four.
The Huskies, who were leading by as much as 14 points, fended off a late 10-0 run from Illinois to keep their championship hopes alive. Tarris Reed Jr. ended the run with a lay-up in the paint, then a turnover led to a Solo Ball one-handed slam.
UConn will be in a position to win three national championships in four years and give head coach Dan Hurley a place to call his program a dynasty.
The Big East champions, and the No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, needed heroics from freshman Braylon Mullins to get past the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight. Mullins stepped up in a big way against the Fighting Illini.
Mullins’ only made shot against Duke was the game-winner. It didn’t take him 40 minutes to score for UConn as he hit the first 3-pointer he attempted against Illinois. He had 12 points in the first half as UConn held a nine-point lead. He finished with 15 points.
Reed led UConn with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Reed’s poised play was needed as it looked like the Fighting Illini were going to come back in the game. He was 6-of-12 from the field and made each of the five free throws he attempted, despite being a 59% free-throw shooter.
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It was Mullins and Reed’s performances that helped take some of the pressure off Alex Karaban.
Karaban had nine points, four rebounds and four assists. He was only 1-of-8 from the field.
Illinois cut the deficit to four points with 43 seconds left. The Fighting Illini shot themselves back into the game, but living and dying by the three ball ultimately cost Illinois in the end. As Illinois got cold, UConn was able to capitalize.
The Fighting Illini finished shooting 23% from long range.
Keaton Wagler led the team with 20 points. Tomislav Ivisic added 16 points. The teammates were the only ones in double figures.
UConn will await the winner of Michigan and Arizona in the other Final Four game to determine who they will face in the national championship.
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