In a dominant performance, the University of Connecticut (UConn) Huskies secured their place in the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament by defeating the Illinois Fighting Illini with a final score of 77-52. The game, marked by UConn's overwhelming control, saw the Huskies execute a staggering 30-0 run, effectively dismantling any chance of an Illinois comeback. UConn's defense was particularly noteworthy, with Donovan Clingan's presence on the court proving to be a significant obstacle for Illinois, which struggled to score throughout the game, going 0-for-19 on field goal attempts contested by Clingan. Clingan, who scored 9 points and was named the Most Outstanding Player, played a pivotal role in UConn's victory, contributing significantly on both ends of the floor. This win extends UConn's NCAA Tournament winning streak to 10 consecutive games by double digits, a record that underscores their dominance in the tournament. The Huskies now look forward to competing in the Final Four, aiming to secure another national championship title.
Illinois went 0-19 on field goal attempts contested by Donovan Clingan and scored 14 total points when he was on the floor. LOLLLL
Donovan Clingan, UConn power back into Final Four behind 30-0 run in 77-52 rout of Illinois https://t.co/wBWYcsAOoM
UConn use 30-0 run to turn back Illinois and book return trip to Final Four https://t.co/Uci9x5A5w9
Actually the seventh. Part of me thought Donyell Marshall made some shots against Florida in ’94. https://t.co/evs3hW4W6F
Bringing you the @UConnMBB press conference live on @CBSSportsNet momentarily https://t.co/bIcjcEu2yV
Tonight’s win was the 69th all-time for #UConn in the NCAA Tournament.
.@UConnMBB is getting used to cutting down nets ✂️ https://t.co/lces2vZSOy
The East Region All-Tournament Team 👇 #MarchMadness 🏀 Donovan Clingan 🏀 Cam Spencer 🏀 Stephon Castle 🏀 Jaedon LeDee 🏀 Terrence Shannon Jr. https://t.co/el6jxHLLDR
East regional all-tournament team: Donovan Clingan (#UConn, also MVP) Cam Spencer (UConn) Steph Castle (UConn) Terrence Shannon (Illinois) Jaedon LeDee (San Diego State)
A confetti shower for the Huskies 🙌 #MarchMadness @UConnMBB https://t.co/aXhf8XLS7l
THE CARPENTER. #MadeForMarch | #MixForSix https://t.co/1G6dlutLHo
Via @ESPNStatsInfo: UConn is the first team in NCAA Tournament history to win 10 straight games by double digits.
We've got @UConnMBB @GoNUmbasketball and Braintree royalty @tdgarden 🏀😀 https://t.co/LAw3MT8L6H
Bill Murray after the @UConnMBB win https://t.co/I12rz1zyAx
🏀 UConn powers back into Final Four behind 30-0 run in 77-52 rout of Illinois. The win is the Huskies 10th straight double-digit victory. https://t.co/A4stU8llmw
UConn's tournament dominance hit its peak with this 30-0 run that propelled them to their 2nd straight trip to the Final Four 🤯 #MarchMadness https://t.co/VUNsWTHLlj
Star on Dan Hurley’s first NCAA Tournament team at Rhode Island is here. Hassan Martin. Big time player out of Staten Island.
"I didn't expect that. Tons of credit to UConn." —Illinois head coach Brad Underwood https://t.co/EAlbdCgAxO
Donovan Clingan barely had to climb the ladder 🤣 #MarchMadness @UConnMBB https://t.co/2EmZf3jMIG
UConn storms into March Madness Final Four after dismantling Illinois https://t.co/tGZl3MIxpF https://t.co/vGFNhX5BD9
Players w/ 20+ points, 10+ rebounds, 4+ blocksin Elite 8 since at least 1986: Donovan Clingan today vs Illinois Joakim Noah 2006 vs Villanova Channing Frye 2005 vs Illinois Dwyane Wade 2003 vs Kentucky Chris Webber 1992 vs Ohio State
Should have done ML rollover. What an amateur https://t.co/08LM1YRhJE
Since last year's Sweet 16, UConn has trailed for a combined 5:50 in the NCAA Tournament 😳 https://t.co/A1jVMPTWHv
Postgame with @UConnMBB Dan Hurley here in Boston for @TBSNetwork @CBSSports @MarchMadnessMBB: https://t.co/9RggqPB04P
Donovan Clingan dominates and UConn roars past Illinois at TD Garden and back into Final Four https://t.co/oebbvbOjA6
.@UConnMBB scored 30 UNANSWERED POINTS! 🤯 https://t.co/Z2n4Ctco6Q
Dan Hurley and his son, Andrew, share a moment after the Huskies advanced to the #MFinalFour 🫶 #MarchMadness @UConnMBB https://t.co/B7jvB4lJaz
Andrew Hurley cuts down the net. https://t.co/YJMRmgt4bJ
What’s the big deal about UConn? Illinois outscored them 52-47 for a long stretch. (Interrupted only by a 30-0 run).
UConn is 2nd team in past 19 tournaments to win a game by 25+ points while making 3 or fewer 3-pointers. Illinois beat Drexel 78-49 w/ 2 3-pointers in 2021 first roujnd
Overall No. 1 seed @UConnMBB is the first team to punch its ticket to Phoenix 🎟️ https://t.co/UHmwARLIr5
Dan Hurley celebrating another Final Four. https://t.co/liS30tMuX1
“You can’t imagine what it would be like to not get up the next day and still coach your team.” ❤️ Dan Hurley tells @TheAndyKatz why he was emotional all day thinking about his @UConnMBB squad. #MarchMadness https://t.co/lAdVgmNjvc
"They've got the best backcourt in the country. ... They never allow you to make them average. They play harder than you. They play more together and more unselfishly." —@CoachJayWright on @UConnMBB https://t.co/JKwLnEkjMR
Please join me in congratulating @UConnMBB on back to back natties.
Dan Hurley dropping confetti around the stage 🤣🎊 #MarchMadness @UConnMBB https://t.co/Z8rpfbywWW
Dan Hurley is banging his chest like a gorilla on national tv while standing behind the final four bracket. This is the Big East
Fans gather to watch Illini take on UConn Huskies in the Elite 8 https://t.co/1SXEWTEPpo https://t.co/pbIJbxIVyE
All Tournament Team MOP - Donovan Clingan Cam Spencer Steph Castle Terrence Shannon Jaedon LeDee
Connecticut blitzes Illinois and continues March Madness domination with trip to Final Four https://t.co/R2D86jYtc1
UConn has only trailed for 28 total seconds in four NCAA Tournament games this year ⏱️ https://t.co/JVgYEEIH9w
Purdue vs UConn is the game we need to see. https://t.co/L6anqhZiUp
It was a tale of two halves for UConn as they defeated Illinois to make it back to the Final Four. Can the Huskies become the first D1 men's college basketball team to repeat as champions since Florida in 2006-07? https://t.co/RjxxZvZ058
Donovan Clingan named MOP.
Most Outstanding Player: Donovan Clingan.
Donovan Clingan lets everyone know who’s going to the Final Four. https://t.co/3dj1NtT1rV
Dan Hurley throws confetti in the air. The Huskies are East Regional champs @BGlobeSports https://t.co/TU6ZB7pTUE
Other than UConn’s 30-0 run, Illinois basically won the game.
"It really is about the work, the journey, the process with the group..." @uconnmbb's @dhurley15 caught up with @theandykatz after the Huskies' resounding win, securing the 7th Men's #FinalFour appearance in team history. https://t.co/SKqXpSQDFx
Defending National Champion @UConnMBB is headed back to the Final Four! The top-seeded Huskies rout #3 seeded 77-52 🏀 Huskies use incredible 30-0 run to snap 23-23 tie 🏀 UConn looks to become 1st team since Florida in 2006 + '07 to repeat as National Champs 🏀 Donovan…
Here's UConn's 30-0 run in a 77-52 beatdown of Illinois to advance to the Final Four. 🏀🔥 #MarchMadness https://t.co/fXhtsaDpkf
Illini exit after a 77-52 loss to top seed UConn in the Elite 8. They finish the season at Big Ten Tournament champions and with a 29-9 record. https://t.co/qbg6qY3HYT
"This time of year you just, you love your team. You can't imagine what it would be like to not get up the next day and still coach your team. ... It really is about the work, the journey." —@UConnMBB's Dan Hurley https://t.co/vik8ugAUAA
Terrence Shannon Jr. will not be allowed to participate in the Final Four.
The UConn Huskies are the first team in the #MarchMadness seeding era (since 1979) to win and cover 10 straight games, per @EvanHAbrams. UConn has COVERED those games by over 13 PPG. Remarkable
Defending champions Uconn make it to the Final Four of March Madness after beating Illinois 77-52 🏀 https://t.co/LO3uyvIVd8
Really glad UCONN is on the other side of the NCAA tournament bracket.
'If He Blocks 100, He Blocks 100' - Brad Underwood Openly Admitting The Dumbass Plan For Illinois, Right Before UConn Went On A 30-0(!!!) Run https://t.co/4zbDcO0Qr4 https://t.co/02CtpxKWTD
An insane streak and an NCAA Tournament record for UConn 🤯 @UConnMBB https://t.co/agFeMaJ981
(1) UConn DOMINATED (3) Illinois 77-52 to punch their ticket to the Final 4! @MarchMadnessMBB | #MarchMadness https://t.co/IRYwnQutu8
UConn this season: * First ever back-to-back Final Fours * School record for wins * Winningest regular season ever * Winningest Big East season ever * First Big East regular season championship since 2006 * First Big East Tourney champ since 2011 Dan Hurley is a COACHING GOD 😤 https://t.co/PHF1wtbPf2
UConn defeats Illinois to advance back to the Final Four 🔥 First spot BOOKED. https://t.co/sIy5CgCu6w
UConn is such a beast. Losing isn’t winning, but proud of @NUMensBball clearly being the Huskies’ toughest opponent of the tourney so far. Imagine if we were healthy! Congrats to B1G brother Illinois for making it to the Elite Eight.
UCONN IS HEADED BACK TO THE FINAL FOUR‼️ The reigning champs have won 10 consecutive NCAA tournament games by double-digits, the longest in history 😱 https://t.co/srC95cUARs
UConn breaks record set by Michigan State in 2000-01 by winning 10 straight NCAA Tournament games by double-digits.
Who goes 3 of 17 from 3-point range and still wins by 25 against a Big Ten tournament champion? @UConnMBB, apparently.
FINAL: No. 1 UConn 77, No. 3 Illinois 52 UConn advances to its second straight Final Four in dominant fashion, winning its 10th straight NCAA tournament game. Huskies have won their 2024 tournament games by 27.8 points and their 10 2023 and 2024 tourney games by 23.1 points.
Over HALF of you had the Huskies in the #MFinalFour 😳 #MarchMadness @UConnMBB https://t.co/693V7JH8tE
UConn Huskies Final Four March Madness Gear, How to Buy https://t.co/zUfC9xqYi8 https://t.co/lQScb055rG
The first Final Four ticket to Phoenix has been punched UConn 77, Illinois 52 . . . . And it really wasn't that close.
Unreal. Of course you go at his chin… but they had no finishing plan. Amazing job by Clingan https://t.co/Pp7VnT9TF3
Is that good? #UConn #BleedBlue https://t.co/JM2dK9f43q
Opponent for the TBD West Region champion (either Clemson or Alabama) is set, as reigning national champion UConn blitzes Illinois to win the East Region and reach the Final Four. What a nice surprise awaiting the Tigers or Crimson Tide in Phoenix next week
UConn is going BACK TO THE FINAL FOUR https://t.co/4zvxlKLQpN
UConn has won 10 straight NCAA Tournament games by double figures. Back to the Final Four. The Huskies are inevitable.
I LAUGHED OUT LOUD OMFG https://t.co/nUPqubdXux
No doubt. @UConnMBB headed back to the Final Four! 💥🙌 https://t.co/qBAcwbmkpV
FINAL: No. 1 UConn 77, No. 3 Illinois 52 UConn advances to its second straight Final Four in dominant fashion, winning its 10th straight NCAA tournament game. Huskies have won their 2024 tournament games by 28.8 points and their 10 2023 and 2024 tourney games by 23.1 points.
For the eighth time in program history, @UConnMBB will take the stage at the #FinalFour. It gets there tonight after a 77-52 win over Illinois that may be, all things considered, the defining knockout punch in a season full of them. Arizona awaits. #UConn #BleedBlue
UConn dominates Illinois to secure a spot in the Final Four ‼️ UConn's margin of victory in the men's NCAA Tournament this year: ◽️ 39 points ◽️ 17 points ◽️ 30 points ◽️ 25 points https://t.co/m1DVU1Y89Y
7 trips to the Final Four is crazy!! @UConnMBB
(1) UCONN ROLLS TO THE FINAL FOUR 🤯 The Huskies dominate (3) Illinois 77-52 to move on to a second straight #MFinalFour! #MarchMadness https://t.co/RZ54zEc8jE
The Huskies have won their first 4 NCAA games by 111 combined points. Last year it was 90 through 4 games https://t.co/KJGNZw5kJb
Very good season for the Illini. Anticlimactic ending doesn't change that, though it does make you wonder about the distance between Illinois basketball and the very mountaintop.
UConn won its first four NCAA tourney games a year ago by a total of 90 points. The Huskies have won their first four games this year by a total of 111 points.
ANDREW HURLEY DIME ALERT https://t.co/rr952weKiM
FINAL FOUR BOUND‼️ #MadeForMarch | #MixForSix https://t.co/5brogsETVP
Now on @njdotcom Donovan Clingan dominates as UConn reaches seventh Final Four | Huskies move 2 wins from back-to-back NCAA championships https://t.co/nnPwUPumpQ @UConnMBB
The UConn Huskies are a Machine.
Donovan Clingan tonight: #MarchMadnessOnMax #MarchMadness https://t.co/jN40lipH3n
UConn absolutely wrecked Illinois with a dominant 30-0 run in the Elite Eight https://t.co/klsFOnCVwK https://t.co/gS5VK9cYxJ
UConn BEATS Illinois to advance to the Final Four👀 https://t.co/15R0Wmz0ip
Putting your son in a human victory cigar is a hell of a flex by Dan Hurley. UConn is a monster right now.
UConn headed to the Final Four again and the Huskies are just two wins away from being first repeat national champion since Billy Donovan's Florida Gators in 2006 and 2007.
THE FULL UCONN 30-0 RUN ‼️ Unbelievable. @UConnMBB 😱 #MarchMadness https://t.co/T0Tbl2JlLV
Dan Hurley getting the crowd going!! https://t.co/qFySh4T72c
Here comes Andrew Hurley with 1:47 remaining. UConn leads 73-50. https://t.co/wsdV3fylZ2
107 seconds of Andrew Hurley tonight. #UConn #BleedBlue
.@ReneeMontgomery has never wavered on her support @UConnMBB. And now they're dominating Illinois. https://t.co/HE26nAHDWi
Andrea Hurley is in the crowd and looks pissed off that Andrew Hurley is still on the bench with 2:43 left and UConn up 71-47.
Terrence Shannon Jr. was averaging 31.2 ppg in the postseason and UConn has stifled him tonight to 2-of-12 for 8 points
Via @ESPNStatsInfo: Illinois went 0-for-19 on field goal attempts contested by Donovan Clingan.
In the 80 second-half minutes UConn will have played in this year's NCAA tournament, the Huskies have led by double-digits for just over 76 minutes.
Dan Hurley can feel it 🔥 #MarchMadness @UConnMBB https://t.co/orB7HzZHCx
Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play? https://t.co/FOMtRMvqbM
Dan Hurley is fired up — as he should be. https://t.co/fQ2gD5zDav
With UConn up 71-42 with 3:33 to go and a timeout, Dan Hurley just walked all the way out to half court and pumped his arms and screamed, "Let's GOOOOO!" to the UConn fans in the section across from his bench.
WHAT IS IN UCONN’S WATER!!! 🤯🤯 (via @MarchMadnessMBB) https://t.co/5EjrUpjGdc
Dan Hurley and UConn are doing to the rest of the NCAA what Bob Hurley and St. Anthony did to the rest of the Hudson County Interscholastic League.
UConn gets the win over Illinois -- Let's take it one step further... NC State is +7.5 vs. Duke tomorrow. Dogs of 7+ in E8 are now 4-41 SU. Wolfpack up next to make history. https://t.co/BB4rfQsc1b
This will be UConn's 10th straight NCAA Tournament game that results in a double-figure win. They have now won, if my math is correct, 31 of their last 32 non-Big East games.... by double-figures as well. ABSOLUTELY. INSANE.
Uconn could end up with more points in half than Illinois has in the game
Donovan Clingan is an all time great Huskie
UConn lost three whole basketball games this season and I'm struggling to understand how they lost that many
UCONN'S STEPHON CASTLE WITH THE HUGE REVERSE SLAM 💥 https://t.co/oYGik3pbNi
"It's been fifty minutes in real time since Illinois has scored! FIFTY MINUTES!" - Kevin Harlan "Can anyone COMPETE with UConn, let alone beat them? Is there anyone out there who can even make a game competitive with them?" - Stan Van Gundy 🏀🎙️ #MarchMadness https://t.co/Z22rT8ReZ6
you know, take out that 30-0 UConn run and this is a heck of a college basketball game
The game was tied at 23... UConn then went on a 30-0 run. 🤯 #MarchMadness https://t.co/eRfDec6p2W
UConn puts the ‼️ on a 30-0 run 🤯 3️⃣0️⃣-0️⃣ #MarchMadness https://t.co/2yw1IJaRwD
STEPHON CASTLE WITH THE BIG TIME SLAM!! 😤😱🫣🔨 https://t.co/Rz5TWvqeR5
Connecticut 56, Illinois 25, 11:12 to go. The Illini have scored FOUR points in 17 minutes Donovan Clingan has been on the floor. Huskies on a 33-2 run.
UConn in the second half vs. Illinois: https://t.co/trDuQgZyDA
UConn held Illinois SCORELESS for 50 minutes. Unreal. https://t.co/W3yZ4F649b
Illinois has just completely given up. A 30-0 run by UConn?! Jeez
UCONN put in second gear. Destroying Illinois.
UConn now on an insane 28-0 run. Huskies lead 51-23 over Illinois. As @SethDavisHoops would say: Sharpie.
Illinois doesn't know what hit them. A 23-0 Uconn run. And counting. Looks like Huskies are headed to Phoenix
UConn has outscored Illinois 20-0 in the first four minutes of each half.
UConn is so beatable today Illinois: https://t.co/SJkUPnZZJH https://t.co/OtfYW8gpye
Clingan breaks the seal again, just as he did in the first half, this time on a turnaround hook shot, and then gets the rebound off two Illinois misses. #UConn back up seven with possession.
Half: UConn 28, Illinois 23. Donovan Clingan 9 for the Huskies and Marcus Domask 15 for the Illini. Illinois shooting just 29 percent, UConn just 33 percent. Illinois will take that trade-off.
Illinois tied the game late in the first half, then #UConn scored the next five. Solid bend, but don’t break, defense from the Huskies over the first 20, which they survived with regard to keeping Clingan out of foul trouble. UConn is 20 minutes from a #FinalFour, up 28-23.
Every Illinois rim attack at Donovan Clingan: https://t.co/2mglLICb7w
Illinois can't finish around the basket. 2-10 on layups. UConn up six.
9-0 UConn. Illinois is 0-for-4 with 2 turnovers.
Donovan Clingan 7, Illinois 0 https://t.co/vDvzBrdOnd