NCAA Final Four: Illinois vs UConn Preview, Odds, Predictions (April 4)

• The Fighting Illini ended Iowa’s tourney run in the Elite Eight.
• The Huskies stunned Duke in the Elite Eight.
• This marks the sixth all-time matchup between the two squads.

The Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Tournament has arrived as the Big Ten’s Illinois Fighting Illini take on the Big East’s UConn Huskies. The former stands out as the slight favorite, presenting the high stakes that will be actively present in this tournament showdown.

How to Watch

• When: Saturday, April 4, 5:05 pm ET
• Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
• How to Watch: TBS/truTV/HBO Max

NCAA Matchup Odds & Lines

Game Preview

The Fighting Illini (28-8) coasted to the Final Four after taking down Penn, VCU, Houston, and Iowa in the first four rounds. They are outscoring opponents by an average of 79.3-59.8, a margin of +19.5 ppg. Keaton Wagler (17.5 ppg), Andrej Stojakovic (15.0), David Mirkovic (14.8), and Tomislav Ivisic (12.0) are averaging double-figures scoring through the Illini’s first four NCAA Tournament games. Wagler (MOP), Stojakovic, and Mirkovic were all named to the All-South Region team following the Illini’s Elite Eight victory over Iowa on Saturday. Wagler is shooting 44% (11-25) from 3-point range, while leading the team with 3.8 assists per game, and team-best figures for blocks (4) and steals (4). Stojakovic leads the fighting Illini shooting .595 (22-37) from the field and .778 (14-18) from the free-throw line. Mirkovic is averaging a double-double (14.8 p/11.0 r) and is averaging 4.0 offensive rebounds per contest.

Dan Hurley and the Huskies (33-5) have returned to the Final Four for the third time in four years. They eliminated Furman and UCLA before beating historic powerhouses Michigan State and Duke in the Sweet 16 and the Elite Eight. Tarris Reed Jr. finished with 26 points, nine rebounds, three assists and four blocks to help cement East Regional Most Outstanding Player. Overall in the Regional, he averaged 21.8 points, 13.5 rebounds, three assists and 2.3 blocks. Alex Karaban is second on the Huskies in scoring with 17.8 points per game in the Regional along with 4.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game on 48.1 shooting from the field and 38.7 percent from three. Meanwhile, Braylon Mullins is the third Husky averaging double-figures this tournament with 11.8 points per game, nearly on line with his 11.9 ppg season averaged that helped him earn BIG EAST All-Freshman and USBWA Second Team All-District honors.

Illinois vs UConn Head-to-Head

The two programs have had five meetings in their history, and the result is 4-1 for the Huskies. The last matchup was in November 2025 when UConn won 74-61.

Illinois vs UConn Predictions

The winner of this matchup will go to the championship game as they face Michigan or Arizona on April 6. Illinois ends a two-decades long drought with its return to the Final Four, while UConn comes back for the third time in the last four years. This game will prove to be tough for both teams, but Dan Hurley might come through with significant preparations for UConn to contain the Fighting Illini’s attack. Our betting pick here is the Huskies to cover a 2-point spread.

• Free NCAAB pick: UConn Huskies +2