The University of Connecticut men's basketball team defeated the University of Illinois 71-62 in a national semifinal game on Saturday, April 4, 2026. The victory at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis secured the Huskies a spot in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship game.
UConn, the defending national champion, will face the winner of the other semifinal between Duke and Gonzaga. The championship game is scheduled for Monday, April 6. This marks UConn's third appearance in the national title game in the last four seasons, having won the championship in 2023 and 2025.
Guard Jaylin Stewart led the Huskies with 21 points, while center Donovan Clingan contributed a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Illinois guard Kylan Boswell scored a team-high 18 points in the losing effort. UConn used a decisive 30-0 run in the second half to overcome a deficit and take control of the game.
