2026 NCAA Tournament Final Four, National Semifinal #1: Illinois Fighting Illini v. UCONN Huskies (Tale of the Tape)

4/3/2026

The Final Four kicks off Saturday evening, with the respective champions of the South and East Regions, the #3 seed Illinois Fighting Illini and the #2 seed UCONN Huskies, set to play first. Way back on Friday, November 28, 2025 (Black Friday), Illinois and UCONN played at Madison Square Garden, with then #5 UCONN beating then #13 Illinois, 74-61. While a lot has changed for both teams since late November, I thought it would be interesting to rewatch that game and list some observations some four months later. Make the jump to read my observations of the Illinois and UCONN game from last November in anticipation of tomorrow's Final Four clash.

Highlights of the Illinois-UCONN Game from Last November!

Feel free to watch the highlights below, read my observations of the game, and check out my running game log/review of the Illinois-UCONN game played back on November 28, 2025.

10 + 1 Observations from the First Illinois & UCONN Game

1. There is not much to take from this game as both teams are drastically different. As a case in point, UCONN was running its offense for Solo Ball at the beginning of the game. Ball came out hitting his shots, which has been a problem for him in the tournament and this season. UCONN did not even get Tarris Reed, Jr. (it's best player in the tournament) a shot until 10 minutes had passed in the first half. UCONN made a concerted effort to get Reed shots at the start of the second half, but he didn't even make a field goal on 0-for-3 from the field. UCONN is now running offense for and through Reed, who has been the best player for the Huskies in the NCAA Tournament. Reed was also coming off an ankle injury entering this first game. As for Illinois, the Illini were having Kylan Boswell bring the ball up with All-American freshman Keaton Wagler playing off the ball. Boswell scored 25 points this game. Afterwards, Brad Underwood made the decision to run offense through Wagler, which turned out to be a season-changing choice!

2. Several players who are out of both rotations logged heavy minutes. For UCONN, Jaylin Stewart started and played 24 minutes. He is barely getting any tick off the bench in the tournament and has been replaced by Braylon Mullins, the hero against Duke. This was Mullins' first collegiate game as he was out with an ankle injury. For Illinois, Andrej Stojakovic started, though he is now coming off the bench. Illinois' current small forward Jake Davis didn't even enter the game until there was 8:46 remaining. Illinois started playing better when Davis came in. There's a reason why Davis has been starting for nearly two months; he does a lot of little things right. Illini played Mihailo Petrovic and Brandon Lee a lot in the second half. Both players are out of the Illini's rotation. Petrovic was able to penetrate at will and open up some shots. He was miserable finishing. Lee played with good defensive energy.

3. UCONN has struggled miserably from three in the NCAA Tournament. That was not the case at the start of this game as Ball and Karaban got going. UCONN hit 7/17 from three in the first half but finished 10/28. As for the Illini, this was the bad Illinois offense that tried to shoot its way back in the game in the second half. The Illini were miserable from three in the second half, going 2/16 and finishing 6/29 for the game.

4. Illinois did not lead for one second in this game, which would seem to be a harbinger of bad things to come for the Illini on Saturday. However, Illinois was a discombobulated mess this game, with Tomislav Ivicic playing his first game after a case of tonsilitis. Stojakovic did not look healthy as well. The Illini were trying to find a lineup to get some offense going while UCONN looked like a more cohesive unit that had played together before. The Huskies led by as much as 21 points in the second half, but Illinois got the game down to seven with about four minutes left. Illini played a terrible game and had a nice stretch late.

5. Defensively, Illinois was horrible until the last eight minutes or so when the Illini picked up its activity. The Illini have stepped up its defense in the NCAA Tournament, while UCONN has struggled to hit shots through four games. During the first ten minutes of the second half of this game, UCONN was getting whatever it wanted, opening up layups and threes with great ease. When Illinois picked up its defense late, UCONN was a bit uncomfortable. Illinois struggled mightily on this day getting over screens and defending curling UCONN players. Now that UCONN is running a lot of offense through Reed, expect the Huskies to try and back cut the Illini to death on Saturday. Reed is facilitating a lot of offense with his passing.

6. Wagler and Stojakovic combined to score 6 points (3 points each) and go 2-for-10 from the field. That will not be the case on Saturday. If it is, the Illini will have a short stay in the Final Four. Stojakovic looked uncomfortable on the floor and missed several shots at the rim on weak attempts. He is a much different player at this time of the season, as is Wagler.

7. Illinois really struggled with UCONN's bench as Malachi Smith had 14 points and Eric Reibe caused a lot of problems in the second half, finishing with 8 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks. Reibe is not playing much for the Huskies right now so that's good for the Illini. Smith is a key contributor off the bench so Illinois must be wary of his energy. The Illini were fortunate this game as Silas Demary was saddled with foul trouble, picking up a third foul early in the second half. Illinois would be ecstatic if Demary is in foul trouble on Saturday.

8. Zvonimir Ivisic had an active game defensively with four blocks. He was miserable offensively, chucking up seven shots, including five threes, all of which he missed. Ivisic's length did cause some issues for the Huskies.

9. Mirkovic struggled at times but was effective at posting up Karaban, leading to some kick outs and open threes. Mirk looked a lot skinnier during this game and has clearly put on some muscle since November (the same goes for Wagler). Mirkovic looked okay following the moving Karaban around. He could keep up with him.

10. Illinois was able to get a lot of free throws in the second half as a result of trying to get to the rim. Illinois must make post touches a priority on Saturday as there are opportunities to thrive and open up offense. Also, Illinois should be able to drive on the Huskies.

11. UCONN won the battle of the boards, 40-35. Illinois started off with a 3-0 advantage with offensive boards, but lost on the offensive glass 14 to 12. Turnovers were pretty even as Illinois had 10, UCONN had 9. UCONN did have a 19 to 10 advantage in assists, which makes sense as Illinois was trying to find some sort of offensive identity while UCONN had much better offensive rhythm earlier in the season. It is clear from watching this game that UCONN will be able to get open shots out of their beautiful sets. Will the Huskies be able to hit shots?

First Half, Under-16 Timeout Observations
UCONN leads 15-12 with 14:00 remaining

The starting lineups were much different. Illinois started Kylan Boswell, Keaton Wagler, Andrej Stojakovic (now coming off the bench), David Mirkovic and Tomislav Ivicic. UCONN started Silas Demary Jr., Solo Ball, Jaylin Stewart (now out of the UCONN rotation), Alex Karaban and Tarris Reed, Jr.
UCONN was running offense for Solo Ball, who hit a three on the game's first possession and missed one on the next possession. Ball's three-point shooting has been nowhere to be found so far in the NCAA Tourney.
Illinois started with Boswell on Ball, Mirkovic on Karaban, Ivisic on Reed, Wagler on Stewart, and Stojakovic on Demary.
Boswell was running point for Illinois, which on its first possession saw Wagler off ball and getting into the lane, where had the ball ripped away from him by Demary.
On Illinois' second possession, Stojakovic got into the lane and shot an air ball.
Illinois scored its first basket on a Mirkovic corner jumper off an inbound play. I don't remember Illinois running or scoring on that play the rest of the season.
Karaban hit a three as Wagler did a bad job of switching when Stewart set a screen on Mirk.
Wagler hit a three off a nice post pass from Mirkovic, who was able to back down Karaban on offense, and was running around well chasing Karaban.
UCONN's first four shots came from three. The Huskies weren't even looking to get Reed post looks. Reed was being used more as a wide-bodied down screener.
Illinois made its first substitution at 16:23 with Ben Humrichous and Mihailo Petrovic (now out of the rotation) coming in for Mirkovic and Wagler, two guys who rarely leave the floor anymore.
Humrichous did a bad job getting over a screen, letting Demary hit a three. You could see Illinois assistant coach Geoff Alexander expressing his displeasure on the bench.
Illinois' communication on defense was atrocious. On one play, two Illini bumped into each other, leading to a walk-in layup for Demary. Ball and Stewart also had easy layups at the rim.
Petrovic actually got in and was getting into the lane, turning the corner but missing a layup that Tomi dunked in. He then penetrated and found Stojakovic for a corner three that was buried.
Illinois had an early 3-0 advantage on the offensive boards, and a 5-0 advantage in second-chance points.
Both teams were a bit sloppy and nervous with some careless turnovers. UCONN dribbled a ball out of bounds in the lane. Tomi threw a ball away to no one.
Illinois started off 5/10 from the field, 2/4 from three. UCONN started off 6/8 from the field, 2/5 from three.
UCONN had made five straight field goals heading into the break.

First Half, Under-12 Timeout Observations
UCONN leads 23-12 with 11:14 remaining.

UCONN came out with Jayden Ross, Eric Reibe, Malachi Smith, Ball and Karaban, while Illinois countered with Petrovic, Wagler, Boswell, Humrichous and Zvonimir Ivisic.
Petrovic immediately penetrated and found an open Wagler in the corner, who missed a three.
Ball hit a mid-range jumper as Humrichous was not quick enough closing. Illinois was in its drop coverage there.
Petrovic got into the lane again, feeding Humrichous, whose dunk at the rim was stuffed. Big Z got the offensive board, but Petro turned the ball over trying to split the defense.
Ball missed a three, but Karaban got an offensive board. Karaban later tried to drive on Big Z, who blocked him at the rim.
UCONN recovered the ball and Petrovic picked up his first foul, failing to block out Smith on an offensive put back. Mirkovic reentered for Boswell.
Petrovic then drove down the lane and picked up a second foul, pushing off Karaban. He was replaced by Stojakovic.
Ball hit a three off another curl, set up off a down screen. Wagler picked up his second foul on the play. Ball hit the free throw for a four-point play.
UCONN is in the midst of a 10-0 run in the last 2:06.
Braylon Mullins entered for the first time of the season, first time in his UCONN career with 12:05 going. He was coming off an ankle injury.

First Half, Under-8 Timeout Observations
UCONN leads 35-22 with 6:59 remaining.

Out of the timeout, Illinois inbounds under the basket to a posting Mirkovic, who kicks out to Humrichous for a made three.
Karaban misses an open three, as Humrichous got caught under a screen.
Stojakovic misses a reverse layup as Reibe's size was a factor at the rim.
Malachi Smith hits a three. UCONN is now 5/9 from three.
Boswell responds with a three, off a Stojakovic drive.
Smith dribbles into the lane and kicks out to Mullins, who misses his first shot as a Husky, a three pointer.
Karaban fouls Boswell on the rebounding attempt.
Reed comes back in at 10:08.
Mirkovic gets an and-one continuation, off a dribble drive, spinning past Ross, who has two fouls. He misses the free throw.
Tomi comes in for Big Z, Petro in for B.H.
Demary scores an easy basket in the lane, as Petrovic's defense was bad there.
Boswell drives and scores off a Mirk screen. Boswell has 7 points on 3/4 shooting.
Ball misses an open shot, but Stewart gets the rebound and feeds Demary, who is fouled by Tomi.
Demary hits two free throws.
Mirkovic misses an open three set up by Petrovic penetration.
Ball rattles in a two-pointer off a curl at the elbow. He has 13 points on 5/8 shooting.
Mirk takes a quick, bad three, which leads to UCONN transition and a Stewart three.
UCONN is on a 7-0 run in the last 1:00.
Petro penetrates again, finds an open Tomi, who misses a three from the top of the key.
Mirk misses an offensive tip in.
Stewart misses a three from the top of the key.
A penetrating Petrovic misses a point-blank layup.
UCONN finally feeds Reed, who gets up his first shot attempt. He is fouled by Tomi on the missed layup. That was a great seal by the UCONN big man, and great play to get him a look.

First Half, Under-4 Timeout Observations
UCONN leads 39-28 with 3:40 remaining.

Illinois comes out with Big Z, Boswell, Brandon Lee, Mirkovic and Ben Humrichous. UCONN comes out with Reed, Demary, Ball, Stewart and Karaban.
Reed splits two free throws to give UCONN its biggest lead, 36-22.
Illinois has missed five straight shots.
Illinois is 9/22 from the field, 4/10 from three. UCONN is 12/22 from the field, 6/13 from three.
Big Z misses a shot in the lane, Mirkovic gets the rebound. Boswell draws a foul on Demary with a swim-through move. Demary goes to the bench with two fouls. Illinois is the bonus. Boswell makes both free throws.
Z does a nice job sliding his feet to force a turnover on Reed.
Boswell drives and feeds Big Z for a layup. Illinois has a 10-6 advantage with points in the paint.
Stewart misses a quick three, Mirk gets the long rebound, pushes the ball up court and has it stolen from behind. Illinois has 5 turnovers, UCONN has 3.
Smith misses a mid-range shot. Boswell gets the ball up court quick and feeds Mirk for a layup. UCONN takes a timeout as Illinois is on a 6-0 run. UCONN leads 36-28.
Karaban hits a beautiful three off a down screen.
Stojakovic forces a layup that Karaban blocks.
Z blocks a UCONN shot at the rim. Reibe rebounds and misses. Z clears the board.
Mirkovic misses another three from the top of the key. The ball is off a crashing Brandon Lee, who tips the ball out of bounds going for the offensive board.

First Half, Final Four Minutes Observations
UCONN leads 43-32 at halftime.

Illinois comes out with Humrichous, Stojakovic, Boswell, Big Z and Brandon Lee. UCONN comes out with Smith, Stewart, Ball, Reibe and Karaban.
Illinois is 11/27 from the field, 4/11 from three. UCONN is 13/27 from the field, 7/15 from three.
Illinois has 5 turnovers, UCONN has 3.
Lee fouls Karaban trying to go through a screen. Karaban hits both free throws. Illinois is 2/3 from the foul line. UCONN is 8/9.
Boswell makes a layup. He has 11 points on 4/5 shooting.
Big Z blocks a long Reibe two in front of the Illinois bench. Zvonimir has 3 blocks. Illinois has 3 blocked shots, UCONN 2.
Boswell makes a layup, count it on a Reibe goal tend off the glass.
Smith drives and finds Stewart, who misses a three. He is 1/5.
Boswell has a bad turnover. UCONN has a 5-0 advantage in steals.
Lee draws a foul off ball on Ball.
Boswell gets in the lane, but has the ball stripped by Smith. Humrichous gets back on d and blocks a Stewart layup but is called for a horrible foul. Terrible call there. That was a block.
Ball don't lie as Stewart misses both free throws.
Stojakovic misses a drive.
Reibe gets called for an offensive foul setting a screen, much to the dismay of Hurley.
Bowsell misses a quick three as Illinois goes two for one.
Smith drives the lane with no resistance, feeding Dwayne Koroma for a dunk and leading to an Underwood timeout. UCONN is 14/30 from the field and 7/17 from three.
Humrichous misses a three, and Petrovic misses a jumper in the lane off the offensive rebound.
It is halftime.

Halftime Stats

Field Goal Percentage: UCONN 47%, Illinois 38%.
Three-point shooting: UCONN 7/17, Illinois 4/13.
Rebounds: UCONN 21, Illinois 19.
Steals: UCONN 5, Illinois 0.
Points in the Paint: Illinois 16, UCONN 8.
UCONN led for 19:42 of the first half.

Second Half, Under-16 Timeout Observations
UCONN Leads 48-38 with 15:44 remaining.

Stojakovic drives and kicks out to Mirk, who passes on a three. Boswell drives and draws a third foul on Demary, who is going to the bench. Boswell hits both free throws and has 13 points.
Smith is in for Demary. UCONN is making an effort to get Reed post touches after just one shot in the first half. Tomi knocks an entry pass to Reed out of bounds.
Boswell falls asleep on the inbounds pass, gets caught trailing Ball who makes a layup plus the foul on Stojakovic. Ball misses the free throw. He is 6/9 from the field for 15 points.
Reed deflects a Tomi pass out of bounds. On the inbound Illinois gets the ball to Mirk in the post. Mirk draws a foul and makes two free throws.
Mirk fouls Reed on entry pass to the UCONN big.
Mirk plays good defense on Reed, whose shot at the rim is blocked by Tomi.
Mirk rushes a layup.
Reed misses a shot against Mirkovic.
Boswell misses a three, Wagler crashes the offensive board, gets the ball, falls down and is tied up. Possession goes to UCONN.
Ball air balls a corner three off a baseline flare screen. Karaban gets the offensive board. Wagler is called for his third foul fighting through a screen on the inbound.
Ball misses a shot, Reed gets the offensive board and misses. Karban tips and misses. Reed gets the board and is fouled by Tomi, who has three fouls. Reed makes 1 of 2 at the line. He has 2 points on 0-for-3 from the field.
Big Z misses a three, Wagler nearly secures the offensive board.
UCONN gets a push out but Big Z blocks Stewart's layup. UCONN recovers. Z deflects an entry pass to Reed, who commits a foul on the loose ball.
Lee enters for Stojakovic, Humrichous for Mirkovic.
Z is fouled on a nice slip off a pass from Lee. Z hits two free throws.
Reibe enters for Reed. Lee steals a ball from Ball, but loses it. Wagler picks it up and passes to Humrichous, who misses a three. Illinois has missed nine straight threes.
Karaban scores on a beautiful cutting layup over Big Z. He has 10 points on 3/7 from the field.
Wagler gets into the lane with his dribble and kicks out to Z, who misses a corner three. A crashing Wagler knocks the ball off UCONN.

Second Half, Under-12 Timeout Observations
UCONN leads 60-43 with 11:57 remaining.

Illinois starts with Wagler, Lee, Big Z, Humrichous and Boswell. UCONN starts with Smith, Ross, Reibe, Ball and Karaban.
Humrichous backs down Karaban and kicks out to Big Z, who misses a three.
Karaban scores a layup off beautiful offense. He has 12 points on 4/8 shooting.
Wagler dishes to Big Z, who air balls a three. Illinois gets the rebound. Boswell misses a three. Illinois has missed 13 straight threes.
Karaban gets the ball off the curl and feeds Reibe for a layup.
Boswell is tripped on a drive and hits two free throws. Illinois has not hit a field goal this half. The Illini are 8/8 from the free throw line. UCONN is 1/3. Mirkovic enters for Humrichous.
Reibe tips in a missed Ross layup off a beautiful curl.
Boswell has a backcut layup blocked by Karaban.
UCONN gets on the break and Ross hits a three off the secondary transition. Timeout Illinois with 13:31 remaining. Illinois is 0/9 from the field this half, 13/43 for the game. UCONN is 6/14 from the field this half and 20/44 for the game.
Karaban fouls Mirkovic on the perimeter. Mirkovic has a layup blocked by Reibe.
Mullins is in the game.
Stewart misses a layup off beautiful UCONN offense.
Boswell hits a three. That is Illinois' first field goal of the half with 12:42 remaining.
Smith cans a three as UCONN's offense is clicking.
Stojakovic misses a three. Mirkovic secures the offensive rebound. Mullin ties him up, leading to the T.V. timeout.

Second Half, Under-8 Timeout Observations
UCONN leads 64-48 with 7:55 remaining.

Illinois starts with Boswell, Stojakovic, Tomi, Big Z and Wagler. UCONN starts with Smith, Reibe, Stewart, Ross and Mullins.
Wagler posts up Mullins but gets his shot blocked by Reibe. Z gets the deflection but turns the ball over.
Mullins hits a two off a nice play for his first basket in college. That was set up for a three, but Mullins threw a nice head fake and dribble, leading to a basket.
Tomi posts up and has the ball deflected out of the bounds. Big Z travels in the lane off a feed from Boswell, who was posting up.
Mullins misses a three.
Big Z misses a three off a Boswell post. Humrichous enters for Big Z.
Reibe hits a floater in the lane. UCONN leads by 21, its biggest lead of the game, 61-43. The Huskies are on a 18-5 run. Illinois is shooting just 7% for the half, 31% for the game.
Boswell gets an and-one on a drive. He makes the free throw and has half of Illinois' 46 points (23 points for Boswell). Petrovic subs in for Wagler.
Ross misses a three.
Petrovic misses a corner three off a Boswell drive. Illinois is 1/11 from three in the second half. UCONN is 2/5.
Reibe is called for a travel on a dribble rive from the top of the key. Illinois has 9 turnovers, UCONN has 8.
Jake Davis enters for the first time all game with 8:46 remaining. Illinois has 7 bench points, UCONN has 21 points.
Petrovic finds Tomi at the rim off a nice screen and roll. Tomi is fouled and makes two free throws. Reed has four fouls and is replaced by Reibe.
Ball misses a three. Mullins skies for an offensive rebound but misses a layup.
Davis drives baseline and finds Tomi. There is a foul on the pass.

Second Half, Under-4 Timeout Observations
UCONN Leads 66-56 with 3:30 remaining.

Illinois starts with Tomi Ivisic, Boswell, Petrovic, Humrichous and Davis. I forgot to note UCONN's lineup. :(
Tomi hits two free throws. Boswell has 23 points on 7/13 from the field. The rest of the Illini have 25 on 8/37 from the field.
Illinois is 13/13 from the free throw line this half, UCONN is 1/3. Illinois is just 2/16 from the field. UCONN is 9/22. Illinois is 1/11 from three this half, UCONN is 2/6.
Humrichous gets a steal.
Boswell scores a layup. He has 25 of the Illini's 52 points.
Petrovic picks up his pressure on Demery. Mullin misses a corner three. Illinois is on a 9-0 run.
Petrovic drives but has his shot blocked by Reibe.
Ball misses a three.
Tomi scores a right-handed hook over Reibe (that's Illinois' first basket from someone other than Boswell since there was just under 5 minutes to go in the first half).
UCONN calls a timeout as Illinois is on an 11-0 run with 6:07 left.
Illinois has a -4 disadvantage on the boards.
UCONN hasn't scored in four minutes.
Demary misses a fadeaway in the midrange.
Davis mises a corner three. Illinois is 5/25 from three. UCONN is 9/25 from deep.
Reibe makes a nice spinning layup. Points in the paint are tied at 22 apiece.
Petrovic hits a floater to cut the score to 66-56. Those are his first two points on 1/6 from the field.
Petrovic fouls Demary. Reibe misses a three. Tomi gets the board.
Tomi misses a three set up on a Boswell post. Illinois is 1/13 from three this half, UCONN is 2/9.
Karaban misses a three.
Petrovic has a horrible turnover, trying to throw a no-look pass from behind his head, with the ball going into the backcourt for a violation at the under-4 timeout.

Second Half, Final Four Minutes Observations
UCONN Wins 74-61.

Entering the last stretch, here were some key stats.
Illinois was shooting 32% for the game, UCONN 41%.
Illinois was 5/26 from three, UCONN was 9/27.
UCONN had 18 assists, Illinois had 9.
Boswell leads Illinois with 25 points (8/14) while Ball leads UCONN with 15 (6/14).
Illinois was shooting 22% for the second half, 7% from three.
Back to game action, Demary misss a floater. Illinois is on a 13-2 run in the last 6:48.
Tomi hits a three with 2:56 left to cut the score to 66-59.
Smith misses a layup, Reibe keeps the possession alive, UCONN misses again, Reibe gets an offensive board and kicks out to Smith, who hits a ridiculous bank three, plus the foul on Jake Davis. That was an awful call.
There was a long review of this shot. UCONN was awarded the three even though the ball didn't hit rim and shot clock reset. I didn't understand that call then, I don't understand it now. Smith hits the free throw.
Petrovic misses a forced shot.
Karaban drives and feeds Ross for a reverse layup. UCONN leads 72-59 with under two minutes left.
Boswell misses a three. Humrichous crashes the board and is fouled on a put back. He makes both free throws.
Lee is in for Davis. Lee nearly forces a turnover off Karaban. The refs review the call and keep the ball with UCONN.
Boswell fouls Smith, who makes two free throws. Davis enters for Lee.
UCONN leads 74-61 and has a 30-11 advantage in bench points.
Boswell misses a three. Illinois is 2/16 from three in the second half. UCONN is 3/11 this half.
UCONN takes a shot clock violation.
Illinois dribbles the ball out.
The game is over. Here are the final stats.