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Hurley’s Huskies Beat Illinois, Advance To Title Game

PUBLISHED Apr 4, 2026, 8:01 AM ET

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Indianapolis — UConn defeated Illinois 72-61 in the Final Four semifinal on Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium, with coach Dan Hurley’s team securing a spot in the national championship game scheduled for Monday; the victory ended Illinois’ tournament run and advanced UConn to the title contest. The win extended Hurley’s recent postseason success and drew attention to his animated sideline mannerisms, while Illinois players and coach Brad Underwood addressed the loss in postgame comments; team officials and tournament organizers prepared for the upcoming championship game this week.

By Sarah Whitman | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

April (previous year): An AI-generated meme about Brad Underwood circulated online.
November (previous season): Underwood echoed the meme by dressing similarly during the New York trip.
Saturday (Final Four): UConn beat Illinois 72-61 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Postgame (Saturday): Dan Hurley described his on-court 'alter ego' and players were interviewed.
Following days: UConn prepared for the Monday national championship; media analyzed coaches and team performances.

News Intelligence

If you're a UConn fan, this is a thrilling time. The team's victory means they're one step closer to the national championship. If you're an Illinois supporter, it's a tough loss, but there's always next season. For basketball enthusiasts, it's an opportunity to observe Hurley's coaching style and the team dynamics.

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