INDIANAPOLIS — This underdog thing seems to suit Connecticut just fine.
The team with the lowest odds of the Final Four teams to cut down the nets is back in the national championship game.
Dan Hurley’s Huskies got there with defense, by locking up the nation’s top-ranked efficiency offense, and making enough 3-point shots to pull out a 71-62 national semifinal victory.
Monday night, the team with the most titles (six) since 1999 will look to add another to its trophy case.
Six days after rallying from 19 down to eliminate Duke — the overall top seed — Connecticut led by as many as 14 in the second half.
Illinois made a few late charges, but the Huskies didn’t blink.
Braylon Mullins, the hero of the Duke victory, hit the game’s biggest shot, a 3-pointer that pushed the lead to seven with 52.1 seconds to go.
Tarris Reed Jr. had 17 points and 11 rebounds, Mullin added 15 and Solo Ball had 13.
Illinois star freshman Keaton Wagner led Illinois with 20 points, but was 2-of-10 from 3 and committed three turnovers.
The Illini’s second-leading scorer, Andrej Stojakovic, managed just nine points.
The story was Connecticut (34-5) completely shutting down the Illini (28-9), holding them to 33.9 percent from the field and 6-of-26 from 3-point range.
Their 62 points were their second fewest of the season.
Illinois low was 61 — in a non-conference loss to the Huskies.
They managed just three assists, their lowest total in five seasons.
