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, Mullins added 15 and Solo Ball had 13.
Illinois star freshman Keaton Wagler 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 nonconference loss to the Huskies. They managed just three assists, their lowest total in five seasons.
Mullins hit his first two shots, a pair of left-wing 3-pointers that were wide open.
It was a very good early sign for Connecticut, which raced out to an early nine-point lead and led by as many as 10 in the first half.
Mullins, who grew up in Greenfield, Ind., just a half-hour drive from Lucas Oil Stadium, led all scorers in the first half with 12.
It was a terrific opening 20 minutes for the Huskies.
They didn’t commit a single turnover, held the nation’s top-ranked efficiency offense to 34.5 percent shooting, 3-of-14 from downtown and one assist.
It was 37-29 at the break, and Reed was the best player on the floor.
He had 11 points and five rebounds.
The Illini-heavy crowd was able to get into it after Tomislav Ivisic hit a pair of 3-pointers during a 13-3 run.
The momentum was short-lived.
Reed scored inside, Mullins added a 3-point play and the Huskies regained control.
Connecticut pushed its lead to a game-high 11 early in the second half and it stayed there as Illinois continued to struggle putting together consecutive strong possessions.
The Huskies also received some friendly bounces.
Mullins banked in a 3-pointer.
Ball had a 3 bounce off the back rim, the glass, the front rim and drop in.
When Jaylin Stewart hit a 3-pointer, UConn was up 14 and looking ready to coast to Monday night’s title game.
Illinois finally responded with six consecutive points to make it an eight-point game at the under-eight media timeout.
It was only six when Ivisic blew a layup, and Connecticut called timeout.
The Huskies had the answer, as they almost always seem to this time of year.
It was on to Monday night for the third time in four years, on to a national championship game appearance that seemed unlikely throughout large chunks of the season.
