Hurley: 'Kinda surprising' UConn was underdog vs. Illinois

UConn entered Saturday's Final Four clash with Illinois as a slight underdog, despite the Huskies comfortably winning an early-season matchup between the two programs by 13 points.

That certainly puzzled Dan Hurley, who said his team found a little extra motivation in being the underdog for the national semifinal.

"You're coming into the game as an underdog versus a team that you beat by 13 points earlier in the season, which was kinda surprising. That's how we kind of came into the game," Hurley told reporters after the Huskies' 71-62 triumph over Illinois.

UConn was in control for most of the contest, leading for 35 of 40 minutes and by as many as 14 points midway through the second half. The Huskies held their counterparts to a season-low 62 points on 34% shooting.

However, UConn had to fend off a late charge from the Fighting Illini as foul trouble piled up down the stretch.

Illinois got within four points twice during the final two minutes, but the Huskies answered back each time on the next possession.

"We're a tough program. We're a group of fighters," Hurley said. "It's not appealing to everyone ... We've got incredible will and we go into these games, we're ready for battle."

The Huskies will take on Michigan in Monday's national championship game.

UConn is looking to become the first program to win three national championships in four years since John Wooden led UCLA to seven straight crowns from 1967-1973.