UConn vs. Illinois: A "Life-and-Death" StruggleTurn Intention Into Action
INDIANAPOLIS — If you like your basketball with a side of existential dread and a heavy dose of "Dan Hurley Intensity," Saturday night was your Super Bowl. Dan Hurley, a man who coaches every possession like he’s trying to disarm a bomb with a toothpick, led his UConn Huskies to a 71-62 victory over Illinois.
Hurley described the game as a "life-and-death struggle," which is a bit dramatic for a game involving orange bouncy balls, but hey, when you’ve won 19 straight tournament games in the later rounds, you’re allowed to be a little theatrical.
The "Freshman" 15 (Points, That Is)
The hero of the night was Braylon Mullins, the freshman who apparently decided that missing shots is a hobby he’s not interested in. After sending Duke home last week with a shot from basically another area code, Mullins spent most of the second half on a "cardio program"—meaning he didn't score for a vast majority of it.
But with 52 seconds left and Illinois breathing down UConn's necks like a hungry dog at a steakhouse, Mullins canned a catch-and-shoot three.
The Result: A 66-59 lead.
The Vibe: Illinois fans suddenly remembering they had somewhere else to be.
Mullins finished with 15 points, joining Illinois’ Keaton Wagler (who dropped a gritty 20) in an elite club. They are the first pair of freshmen to both top 15 points in a Final Four game since a couple of guys named Michael Jordan and Patrick Ewing. You might have heard of them; they were decent at the sport.
The Big Men and the "Freaky" Stat
While Mullins provided the spark, Tarris Reed Jr. provided the sledgehammer. Reed bullied his way to 17 points and 11 rebounds, proving that "strong inside play" is just code for "making the other team feel very small and sad."
Meanwhile, Alex Karaban had a night he’d probably like to delete from the cloud. He shot 1-of-8 from the field, which is usually a recipe for a long bus ride home. Instead, he tied Bobby Hurley for second in career March Madness wins with 18. Illinois coach Brad Underwood called Karaban’s three Final Four appearances "freaky," which is the highest compliment you can get from a man who looks like he’s lived through 400 basketball seasons.
The Illini Ice Age
Illinois reached their first Final Four since 2005, but they brought a shivering shooting hand to the party. They went 6-of-26 from beyond the arc.
Translation: They couldn't hit water if they fell out of a boat.
The Stat: UConn has now held Illinois to their two lowest scoring totals of the season. At this point, the Huskies aren't just a team; they’re a restraining order.
The Final Verdict
UConn moves on to face Michigan on Monday night. If they win, Hurley becomes the only active coach with more than two titles, and the Huskies move into sole possession of third place for all-time national championships.
As Hurley put it, there’s no better feeling than being on that bus on Monday night. Personally, I think the "better feeling" would be a nap and a throat lozenge, but that’s why he’s the champ and I’m just the guy with the sideline report.
Next Up: Monday Night. One game. Seven titles on the line. Bring your own life-and-death struggle.
