Braylon Mullins keeps hitting big shots for UConn in Final Four win

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Braylon Mullins keeps hitting big shots for UConn in Final Four win

Braylon Mullins keeps hitting big shots for UConn in Final Four win

Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY · USA TODAY Sports

Sun, Apr 5, 2026 ·

4 min read

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INDIANAPOLIS – This time, Braylon Mullins didn't wait for the buzzer.

Less than a week after his memorable heave to beat Duke in the Elite Eight, the Connecticut freshman made a pair from 3-point range in the first three minutes to set the tone for the Huskies' 71-62 win against Illinois in the Final Four.

"I think it was the flow of the game, but coming into the game I knew I needed to shoot it with confidence coming off last Sunday just to have that flow, that momentum," Mullins said. "Seeing the first two go in, it just boosts all the confidence for you to keep shooting. I think it just happened within the game."

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Braylon Mullins hits late three to send UConn to the title game

With the game tightening late in the second half, UConn turned to poise and execution as every possession carried championship weight.

Braylon Mullins delivered the defining moment, knocking down a late three as the Huskies pushed through the final minutes to secure their place in the national title game.

Above, Braylon Mullins #24 of the UConn Huskies shoots a three‑pointer against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half of the men’s Final Four at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 4, 2026, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

(Michael Reaves, Getty Images)

With the game tightening late in the second half, UConn turned to poise and execution as every possession carried championship weight.

Braylon Mullins delivered the defining moment, knocking down a late three as the Huskies pushed through the final minutes to secure their place in the national title game.

Above, Braylon Mullins #24 of the UConn Huskies shoots a three‑pointer against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half of the men’s Final Four at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 4, 2026, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

(Michael Reaves, Getty Images)

Braylon Mullins #24 of the UConn Huskies reacts while playing against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half in the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)

Braylon Mullins #24 of the UConn Huskies celebrates after defeating the Illinois Fighting Illini in the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Michael Reaves, Getty Images)

His teammates also had a good feeling: "When he hit that first one I kind of knew it was a going to be a good day. Once he hits that first shot and he's aggressive, he's kind of unstoppable, to be honest with you," said junior forward Jaylin Stewart .

"His game's always on point," added freshman center Eric Reibe .

With the game still in the balance and the Illini cutting a 14-point deficit to a four-point UConn lead with under a minute to play, Mullins made another 3-pointer from the wing to secure the win and a matchup against the winner of the second national semifinal between No. 1 seeds Michigan and Arizona.

"Really, just since he stepped on campus he's had such a great maturity to where I just want him to be himself and not let the moment get to you, don't let any external pressure get to you," said senior forward Alex Karaban . "Because at the end of the day, everything is amplified here. But you're just playing basketball."

Mullins finished with 15 points on 5 of 14 shooting, including 4 of 7 makes from deep. He had been mired in a long shooting slump, making a combined 11 of 59 3-pointers in his past nine games and just 5 of 25 in the Huskies ' first four tournament games.

Again and again this NCAA Tournament, Mullins has proved this stage isn't too big for him to handle.

"I think he's one of the best freshmen in the country," Stewart said. "One of the best players in the country, honestly."

Andrej Stojakovic #2 of the Illinois Fighting Illini drives to the basket against Solo Ball #1 of the UConn Huskies in the first half of the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)

Head coach Dan Hurley of the UConn Huskies reacts against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the first half in the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Andy Lyons, Getty Images)

Tarris Reed Jr. #5 of the UConn Huskies shoots a layup against Zvonimir Ivisic #44 of the Illinois Fighting Illini in the first half of the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Michael Reaves, Getty Images)

Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts against the UConn Huskies during the first half in the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Michael Reaves, Getty Images)

Tarris Reed Jr. #5 of the UConn Huskies dunks the ball against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the first half of the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Michael Reaves, Getty Images)

Kylan Boswell #4 of the Illinois Fighting Illini makes a pass while playing against UConn Huskies in the first half of the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)

Jayden Ross #23 of the UConn Huskies gestures while playing against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the first half of the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)

UConn Huskies forward Jayden Ross (23) celebrates a made three point basket Saturday, April 4, 2026, during a Final Four game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar, Imagn Images)

David Mirkovic #0 and Jake Davis #15 of the Illinois Fighting Illini huddle up with their teammates prior to the Final Four against the UConn Huskies in the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Michael Reaves, Getty Images)

UConn Huskies forward Jaylin Stewart (3) shoots the ball over Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) in the first half during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.
(Trevor Ruszkowski, Imagn Images)

Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kylan Boswell (4) saves the ball to Illinois Fighting Illini center Tomislav Ivisic (13) against the UConn Huskies in the first half during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.
(Trevor Ruszkowski, Imagn Images)

UConn Huskies forward Tarris Reed Jr. (5) reacts after a play against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the first half of a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)

Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) shoots the ball against UConn Huskies guard Silas Demary Jr. (2) during the first half of a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)

Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) shoots over UConn Huskies guard Solo Ball (1) in the first half during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.
(Trevor Ruszkowski, Imagn Images)

UConn Huskies forward Tarris Reed Jr. (5) shoots the ball past Illinois Fighting Illini center Zvonimir Ivisic (44) in the first half during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.
(Trevor Ruszkowski, Imagn Images)

UConn Huskies forward Tarris Reed Jr. (5) dunks the ball against Illinois Fighting Illini forward Ben Humrichous (3) in the first half during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.
(Trevor Ruszkowski, Imagn Images)

Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) is guarded Saturday, April 4, 2026, by UConn Huskies guard Silas Demary Jr. (2) during a Final Four game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar, Imagn Images)

UConn Huskies guard Braylon Mullins (24) celebrates after shooting and making his second three point basket of the first half Saturday, April 4, 2026, during a Final Four game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar, Imagn Images)

UConn Huskies forward Jayden Ross (23) celebrates after making a three-point basket against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the first half during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.
(Trevor Ruszkowski, Imagn Images)

Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) shoots the ball against UConn Huskies guard Malachi Smith (0) in the first half during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.
(Trevor Ruszkowski, Imagn Images)

UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley gets after his team Saturday, April 4, 2026, during a Final Four game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar, Imagn Images)

Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) drives to the basket against UConn Huskies guard Silas Demary Jr. (2) during the first half of a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)

Tarris Reed Jr. #5 of the UConn Huskies jumps for the ball against Tomislav Ivisic #13 of the Illinois Fighting Illini in the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Andy Lyons, Getty Images)

David Mirkovic #0 of the Illinois Fighting Illini interacts with teammates during player introductions prior to the game against the UConn Huskies in the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Andy Lyons, Getty Images)

Even against an opponent from the vaunted Big Ten and with his family in attendance for the national semifinals, the Greenfield, Indiana native remained poised and helped the Huskies stand a win away from the seventh national championship in program history.

"The way he's playing is phenomenal as a freshman," said senior guard Malachi Smith . "Braylon doesn't really talk that much, but he talks to us on the court. And that's what we need. Even when he's not hitting shots, that's what we need. He has the mamba mentality of going to the next play."

After he was held in check until the final seconds against the Blue Devils, Mullins' ability to get into a flow in the Final Four helped the Huskies take a 37-29 halftime lead after briefly falling behind 22-21 with seven minutes until the break.

But he went cold coming out of the locker room, missing his first five attempts from the field as the Illini began to cut away at the UConn advantage to make it a 63-59 game with a minute left.

All throughout this season, UConn veterans such as Karaban have preached to Mullins the importance of remaining confident even if his shots aren't falling. Those lessons have continued to pay off: On the next possession, the soft-spoken freshman drilled his game-clinching jumper.

"You've always got to shoot with confidence," Mullins said. "The set was going to be run for anybody on the team, you've just got to shoot with confidence. Just trying to find the best look on the floor and I know our point guards are going to get us the ball, so I think that was the biggest shot I hit tonight."

Overshadowed by this late-game magic are the little things that Mullins continues to do even when his shot isn't falling, teammates said. In the second half against Illinois , that included a pair of steals that helped the Huskies turn a 44-36 game with 17:08 to play into a 13-point lead just two minutes later.

"He gets it done every night. Even if he's not hitting shots, he impacts the game in so many ways. He's just a special player," Stewart said.

But it's a cold-blooded scorer that Mullins has played a starring role. Shot by shot, he's building a postseason résumé full of shining-moment memories that will long outlast what could be a one-and-done run with the Huskies.

"We all know what kind of a shooter he is and what kind of scoring ability he has," said Reibe. "And we really need his confidence. If we bring that together, we're going to have a good night on Monday."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Braylon Mullins delivers again for UConn in Final Four win over Illinois

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Braylon Mullins keeps hitting big shots for UConn in Final Four win

Braylon Mullins hits late three to send UConn to the title game

Braylon Mullins hits late three to send UConn to the title game

Braylon Mullins hits late three to send UConn to the title game

Braylon Mullins hits late three to send UConn to the title game

Braylon Mullins hits late three to send UConn to the title game

Illinois vs UConn, title‑game pressure. See photos

Illinois vs UConn, title‑game pressure. See photos

Illinois vs UConn, title‑game pressure. See photos

Illinois vs UConn, title‑game pressure. See photos

Illinois vs UConn, title‑game pressure. See photos

Illinois vs UConn, title‑game pressure. See photos

Illinois vs UConn, title‑game pressure. See photos

Illinois vs UConn, title‑game pressure. See photos

Illinois vs UConn, title‑game pressure. See photos

Illinois vs UConn, title‑game pressure. See photos

Illinois vs UConn, title‑game pressure. See photos

Illinois vs UConn, title‑game pressure. See photos

Illinois vs UConn, title‑game pressure. See photos

Illinois vs UConn, title‑game pressure. See photos

Illinois vs UConn, title‑game pressure. See photos

Illinois vs UConn, title‑game pressure. See photos

Illinois vs UConn, title‑game pressure. See photos

Illinois vs UConn, title‑game pressure. See photos

Illinois vs UConn, title‑game pressure. See photos

Illinois vs UConn, title‑game pressure. See photos

Illinois vs UConn, title‑game pressure. See photos

Illinois vs UConn, title‑game pressure. See photos

Illinois vs UConn, title‑game pressure. See photos

Illinois vs UConn, title‑game pressure. See photos

Illinois vs UConn, title‑game pressure. See photos

Illinois vs UConn, title‑game pressure. See photos

Illinois vs UConn, title‑game pressure. See photos