Breaking: Illini Championship Dreams End in 71-62 Final Four loss to UConn

By IlliniGuys Staff

April 4, 2026

INDIANAPOLIS -- Illinois sees their 2025-26 season come to an end with a 71-62 loss to UConn at the Final Four Saturday night.

The Illini (28-9) fell behind 57-43 in the second half, but rallied with a 10-0 run to close within 57-53.

All-American Keaton Wagler scored a game-high 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds.  Tomislav Ivisic added 16 points and seven rebounds.

Tarris Reed Jr. scored 17 points for UConn (34-5), which advances to its third national championship game in four years. The Huskies won back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024.

 

Podcasts

584 IlliniGuys with the Illini at the Final Four

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4.3.26 - Final Four Show

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583 - Jay Price & Brian Barnhart Talk Illini Final Four

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582 - Illini Assistant Coach Geoff Alexander

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581 Illini Legend Eddie Johnson Talks Illini Final Four

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580 Illini Getting Ready for Final Four

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579 Illini are Final Four Bound

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578 Illini vs Iowa Preview

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3.27.26 - Illini 2nd EE in 3 Years & IlliniGal CeCe Parchment

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576 - Illini Earn 2nd Elite 8 Appearance in 3 Years

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575 Sweet 16 - Illini Bust Up VCU 76-55

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3.20.26 March Madness and Matt Brown on NIL

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574 Mirk & the Illini Roll Over Penn 105-70

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573 The 2026 NCAA Tournament Show

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572 Illini Lose Big Lead vs Badgers

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