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Fighting Illini brace for massive Final Four matchup against UConn
Mark Carman from CHGO Sports breaks down how the Illini stack up in their rematch against the UConn Huskies.
INDIANAPOLIS - The pomp and circumstance was in full effect around Indianapolis.
The Final Four experience captivated Illinois basketball. The team was enjoying being in the moment for the week.
Now, however, the competitive edge is setting in.
"At some point, you just kind of want to play," Underwood said.
Soon, coach.
Here’s what we learned from the Final Four nearly 24 hours before the Illini played UConn for the right to play for a national title.
The Illini are ready to play
The experience has been fun for Illinois. Zvonimir Ivisic has enjoyed getting to see the court, and getting to be in the community that’s honoring the four remaining tournament teams.
But, that part of the process is now over. Illinois has moved on to a gameday approach.
The part of the process that he’s currently in is now being mentally locked in for the Final Four showdown against UConn on Saturday.
"Listening to the coaches, trying to learn the game plan as much as we can, don't make no mistakes, but just the whole process," Ivisic said. "Just being here, being here with these people, with these coaches and build on this big stage, it's impressive."
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 03: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts during the Practice Day of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 03, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michae …
The Illini are getting closer to tip off Saturday. It was clear they have an itch to play UConn.
A big reason why is because it’s the Final Four. This is an environment that players dream about. It’s no longer a dream for Illinois.
There aren’t any butterflies either, especially for a team that’s played in four NCAA Tournament games already and weathered the Big Ten Conference.
"We've done it all year, big time games and I think we have a lot of games also," Boswell said. "Lot games – wins, too - and we know what it takes to have seven games," Boswell said. "There's a reason that we got here and you don't want to get here and then just fall up short. Having that in the back of our head being a motivating factor, I think just makes sense."
The Illini have a luxury X-factor
Illinois has something that not many other teams in America have: a deep bench.
Adding Andrej Stoakovic and Zvonimir Ivisic in the transfer portal has paid in dividends. The two are contributing in the biggest ways. It’s something the coaching staff is taking pride in.
Some of that bench developed because of injuries. Stojakovic suffered a high-ankle sprain that took him out of the starting lineup. His offensive game and defensive improvement have given Illinois life off the bench.
"His ability to be selfless and coming off the bench for us has added another punch to our team" Illini assistant coach Camry Crockett said.
It goes beyond Stojakovic.
There are players who have embraced roles coming off the bench because of the success the team is enjoying now.
"Not just him, but Zvonimir and Ben Humrichous as well," Crockett said. "When you're bringing those guys off the bench, they're playing winning basketball. I think it's that simple."
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Respect for the Illini
Alex Karaban remembers the Elite Eight match up in 2024.
The UConn forward was there, directly contributing to a 30-0 run that buried the Illini, ending their season.
"It's deflating, which you're going against a 30-run and scoring, and they can't score," Karaban said. "He knew at the end of the day we played really good basketball team in Illinois. Didn't have their best day that game."
Karaban went on to win a second national championship that year. He won his first the season before.
With a third national championship this year, he’d be the first player to join a very exclusive list of players to win three championships in their college basketball careers since 1973. That list is also UCLA exclusive, including: Lew Alcindor (now Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), Lynn Shackelford, Curtis Rowe, Sidney Wicks, Steve Patterson, Henry Bibby and Larry Farmer.
To get there, he’ll have to beat Illinois for a third time. Karaban knows it won’t be simple, either. The Illini are different from what they were at the beginning of the year.
The respect Karaban has for Illinois, a team that traversed adversity like UConn did, is immense.
"They've grown a lot," Karaban said. "They've been through a lot of adversity throughout the entire year, battling health. So really they've grown so much and have done an incredible job this season of responding. And they have as much talent as anyone in this college basketball."