The UConn Huskies and Michigan are going to the NCAA March Madness Finals. The two teams will play for the championship title Monday night.
Fans packed Lucas Oil Stadium Saturday night to watch the final four teams left in the tournament. Sneakers squeaked on the custom court with the crowd cheering their teams on.
UConn vs. Illinois
In the first semi-final matchup, UConn defeated Illinois 71-62.
Despite closing the lead in the second half to a two-possession game, the Fighting Illini couldn’t push past the Huskies in the last few minutes.
UConn Head Coach Brad Underwood said he was proud of his players and how hard they fought against one of the best programs in the country.
“There’s no better feeling than being on that bus on Monday night, just being one of the last two teams standing,” Underwood said. “That bus ride to, you know, to the stadium, it’s just a cool experience.”
The win marks the team’s seventh trip to the championships — the last appearance was in 2024. With six NCAA titles, the Huskies have yet to lose in the finals.
For UConn guard Braylon Mullins, playing in the Final Four is extra special. The freshman from Greenfield received a loud round of cheers when introduced on the court. Back home in Indiana, Mullins said it’s been a surreal experience.
“It just means so much to me to represent that community,” Mullins said. “And I’m just, that – crowd pop – the Connecticut fans, my family and friends, so happy. They showed out tonight.”
And now he’s playing for a championship title.
“It would mean everything,” Mullins said about winning the title.
Michigan vs. Arizona
Michigan defeated the Arizona Wildcats 91-73 in the second semi-final game.
Throughout most of the game the Wolverines kept a double-digit lead. Up more than 20-points in the last three minutes, the Arizona fan sections began quickly emptying out.
Even with a decisive lead, Michigan guard Elliot Cadeau said the team kept the pressure after learning from games in the past where teams managed to come back.
“So we stressed in the huddle, like, keep our foot on the gas, because, you know, it’s March, it’s April, so anything can happen, like, they could come back from a 30 point deficit,” Cadeau said.
This is the eighth time the Wolverines have played in the Finals — the last time was in 2018. The team has only won one title in 1989 against Seton Hall.
Michigan Head Coach Dusty May said the win against Arizona was representative of the team this year.
“This game was very indicative of how this group was played throughout the season, unselfish basketball, a connected group who defends, gets out in transition and then shares the basketball,” May said.
The NCAA March Madness championship game is Monday, April 6, at Lucas Oil Stadium. The game starts at 8:50 p.m. EST.
Contact WFYI All Things Considered newscaster and reporter Samantha Horton at shorton@wfyi.org or on Signal at SamHorton.05
