Illinois men’s basketball entered the 2026 Final Four with the most statistically decorated offense in the country, an explosive and dynamic group that regularly blitzed past opponents.
In the national semifinals, though, the Fighting Illini ran into a team that’s quickly starting to become their kryptonite.
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In a 71-62 loss to UConn at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, coach Brad Underwood’s team shot just 33.9% from the field and 23.1% from 3-point range, making only six of its 26 shots from beyond the arc.
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The fact that the underwhelming performance came against Dan Hurley and the Huskies shouldn’t come as a surprise.
The 62 points were the Illini’s third-fewest in a game the past three seasons, according to research from ESPN. The only games ahead of it on that list both came against UConn, as well — a 52-point effort in a blowout loss in the Elite Eight in 2024 and 61 points in a Nov. 28 loss to the Huskies in Madison Square Garden earlier in the 2025-26 season.
Even after April 4’s disappointing outing, Illinois is still No. 2 in Division I in adjusted offensive efficiency, according to KenPom.
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Much of the Illini’s production came from two players — freshman superstar Keaton Wagler and big man Tomislav Ivisic, who had 20 and 16 points, respectively. Outside of that duo, Illinois made just eight of its 29 field-goal attempts (27.6%).
With the win, UConn advanced to the national championship game, where it will play on Monday, April 6 against either Michigan or Arizona.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: UConn has held Illinois to its three lowest point totals of the past three seasons
