Biggest matchup Illinois must exploit to take down UConn in Final Four

Illinois basketball stormed through 2026 March Madness in surprise fashion. The Illini now has their fans envisioning a national title run on Saturday against UConn in the Final Four.

Brad Underwood officially joins Bruce Weber as Illini coaches who guided a regional title run in the 2000s decade. But he said the “special” part out loud after watching his team defeat Iowa.

“It’s always been a special place. There’s been no other thing for me. This is my dream job,” Underwood told reporters after cutting down the nets this past Saturday.

Brad Underwood on making his first Final Four:

"I'm gonna get emotional, but I've been doing this 39 years. You dream about this as a kid. I dreamt about doing it at Illinois, when my wife bought Tyler, who was maybe 2, a Brian Cook jersey. It's always been a special place.… pic.twitter.com/2xAOJntPLN

— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) March 29, 2026

Clearly this run means everything to the 39-year coaching veteran Underwood. There’s no other place he wants to celebrate this moment with other than Illinois.

His Illini are underdogs here against a six-time title winner. Here’s how they can exploit their weekend foe.

Illinois must counter UConn’s cross screens

A big key here is watching where Tarris Reed Jr. is.

The center is UConn’s top scorer and will get his touches under the rim. And he opens a dangerous part of UConn’s offense without needing the basketball.

Head coach Dan Hurley turned to Reed as a screen option to create more spacing for the 3-point shooters.

Hurley’s cross screen approach swung the momentum back UConn’s way in the epic comeback over Duke. Underwood likely will address this Hurley tactic in practices this week. Fortunately for the Big Ten representative, Illinois presents plenty of bigs to counter Reed and company.

Illini must take advantage of size

UConn arguably has the best scoring center in this matchup. Plus forward Alex Karaban adds a post scorer who can hit from deep too.

Except Illinois holds this reputation: Having the tallest and biggest team on the floor.

They must utilize that to its advantage. It starts with limiting Reed’s points or forcing him into foul trouble.

Next is neutralizing the 3-pointer. The Huskies buried Duke by dialing from long range. Underwood can send his centers Tomislav and Zvonimir Ivisic to counter UConn’s shooters plus his other bigs.

Where Illinois can bury UConn

Bench play rises as the final element Illinois must ignite to prevail in the early round of four contest.

That’s where Andrej Stojakovic enters the picture.

His renown father made a living shooting the lights out as a perennial NBA All-Star for the Sacramento Kings. The younger Stojakovic has dad’s shooting touch for this contest. Except he’s more of a physical slasher to the basket. He can set the tone from the bench and keep UConn on its toes.

The reserves play a final role in putting this team back in the National Championship game for the first time in 21 years. A sea of orange likely will fill the arena at the home of the Colts. Illinois can treat Saturday like a home conference game and throttle the Huskies.

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