After making the Final Four on one of the most improbable buzzer beaters in NCAA tournament history against Duke, the Connecticut Huskies continue their quest for their third championship in four years when they take on Illinois in the semifinals.
Illinois charged through the tournament to reach the semifinals, winning all four games by double figures to set up the showdown with UConn.
Though the Illini are third-seeded and UConn is a No. 2, Illinois is a slight favorite to make the title game.
UConn men’s basketball vs. Illinois March Madness Final Four today
The No. 2-seeded Connecticut men’s basketball team takes on No. 3 Illinois in the Final Four of the NCAA men’s tournament in Indianapolis. The 4:09 p.m. MT/5:09 p.m. CT tip on Saturday, April 4, will air on TBS and truTV.
How to watch UConn vs. Illinois in the NCAA tournament Final Four
The Connecticut vs. Illinois game will air at 4:09 p.m. MT/5:09 p.m. CT on TBS and truTV on Saturday, April 4.
More: Five destinations for Audi Crooks, most exciting player in women’s basketball transfer portal
Who does the winner of UConn-Illinois play?
The winner of the No. 2 Connecticut vs. No. 3 Illinois game advances to the national championship game at Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium, where it will play the winner of No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 1 Michigan.
UConn men’s basketball record
The Connecticut Huskies are 33-5.
More: USA Today NCAA basketball coverage
Illinois men’s basketball record
The Illinois Illini are 28-8.
Connecticut Huskies vs. Illinois Illini odds
Odds from BetMGM.com: Illinois -1 1/2. Moneyline: Illinois -140, Connecticut +115. Over/under 139 1/2.
UConn men’s basketball vs. Illinois predictions, picks
The Arizona Republic: Illinois 74, UConn 71
Jeremy Cluff writes: “The Fighting Illini have been very impressive all tournament long, with their smallest margin of victory 10 points. Can Illinois win a close game against UConn to make the national championship game? Yes, it can. Keaton Wagler will prove to be the difference.”
USA TODAY Sports: Illinois will beat UConn in Final Four
Blake Toppmeyer writes: “Credit UConn for incredible comeback, but don’t overlook Illinois. The Illini looked dominant coming out of the South, and they have enough offense to turn back a clutch UConn team.”
Bookies.com: Bet UConn with the points vs Illinois
Bill Speros writes: “UConn trailed Duke by 15 at the half. FanDuel posted an early line on a Duke-Illinois Final Four matchup, installing Duke as 3.5-point favorites. But Danny Hurley’s Huskies bit and clawed their way back to pull off a miraculous come-from-behind win over the top-seeded Devils in the East. Braylon Mullins sank a desperation 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds left to win it. Tarris Reed Jr. led the Huskies with 26 points on 10-of-16 shooting, adding four blocks, three assists and two steals. He’ll be the fulcrum against a deep and talented Illinois squad. Illinois shot just 19-of-60 (31.7%) from the field in a 74-61 loss to UConn back in late November. Keaton Wagler played just 14 minutes in that game, but he’ll be back 100% Saturday. Brad Underwood’s monster-sized Eastern European front court will be a three-headed hydra against Reed. But a grinding, low-scoring defensive masterpiece plays in UConn’s favor. The Huskies can win their third title in four years — a feat not accomplished since UCLA’s dynasty from 1964-72. They take a giant step Saturday toward that goal with the upset here. But we’ll take the points just in case.”
vsin.com: Bet Illinois to beat UConn
Adam Burke writes: “This seems like the right sort of combustible situation for Hurley to go off, given that it doesn’t seem like his team will benefit from a lot of whistles. The Huskies have played stiffer competition in the tourney thus far, as they were placed in a very strong East Region. They’ve scored 1.253, 1.159, 1.054, and 1.163 points per possession, while allowing 1.085, .905, .991, and 1.147. After thriving on the glass in the wins over Furman and UCLA, the tables turned against Michigan State and Duke and it does seem like it will be an area of concern in this game as well.”
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: UConn men’s basketball takes on Illinois in the Final Four: How to watch
Reporting by Bret Bloomquist, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
