April 3 (UPI) -- The Keaton Wagler-led Illinois offense will meet a stingy UConn defense Saturday in the first Final Four matchup of the 2026 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.
Wagler and the Fighting Illini will scrap with the Huskies in the initial national semifinal at 6:09 p.m. EDT at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
"I think we are peaking right now," Wagler, a projected Top 10 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, told reporters Thursday.
The Michigan Wolverines and Arizona Wildcats, the two remaining top seeds, will meet in the second Final Four matchup at 8:49 p.m. Saturday on the same court.
Both games will air on TBS, truTV and HBO Max. The Fighting Illini and Wolverines are slight betting favorites to advance to Monday's national title game in Indianapolis.
