Overview
- UConn beat Illinois in Saturday's Final Four in Indianapolis to reach Monday's national championship against Michigan.
- In his postgame remarks, coach Dan Hurley said he "had to throw some shade" at TNT after seeing pregame picks he felt wrote his team off.
- Charles Barkley had predicted on TNT that Illinois would "beat [UConn] pretty good" and that the game would not be close.
- Fans on social media blasted Barkley for again picking against the Huskies, amplifying Hurley’s message about respect.
- Early write-ups differed on details, with one citing a 72-61 score and another noting 12 made threes plus Braylon Mullins and Tarris Reed Jr. combining for 32 points.