Overview
- UConn beat Illinois 71-62 in the Final Four to reach the national championship game.
- Tarris Reed Jr. logged 17 points and 11 rebounds for his third double-double of the NCAA Tournament.
- His surge began with 31 points and 27 rebounds against Furman, and he is now averaging about 20.8 points and 13.0 rebounds with 26-for-34 free throws.
- The title game pits UConn against Michigan, Reed’s former school, whose bigs include 7-3 Aday Mara plus 6-9 Morez Johnson Jr. and 6-9 Yaxel Lendeborg who returned with a knee brace.
- Coach Dan Hurley, fresh off a six-year, $50 million extension, said Reed has played as well as anyone in the event.