Despite heartbreaking loss, Keaton Wagler still managed to make history vs. UConn

Last night was far from how the Illinois Fighting Illini wanted to end their season: a nine-point loss to the UConn Huskies in the Final Four.

However, despite the heartbreak and missing out on the National Championship game, Illinois has a lot to be proud of, and that includes the impressive performance by star freshman Keaton Wagler.

Not only did Wagler lead the Illini in scoring, rebounds, and assists, but he made history alongside UConn freshman Braylon Mullins.

The pair combined to become the first-ever dueling freshmen players to earn 15+ points in a Final Four matchup since Michael Jordan and Patrick Ewing did it in the 1982 National Championship game, which Jordan won with the North Carolina Tar Heels

Keaton Wagler and Braylon Mullins enter Final Four history

What fine company to be grouped with. Jordan, arguably the greatest basketball player to ever grace this earth, and Ewing, an undeniably legendary, elite player.

Wagler finished the night with 20 points, eight rebounds, and two assists. Mullins finished with 15 points (including four made three-point shots), three rebounds, and two steals.

For comparison, Jordan finished the game against Ewing and the Georgetown Hoyas with 16 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Ewing earned 23 points, 11 rebounds, three steals, two blocks, and one assist.

More likely than not (unlike Jordan and Ewing, who spent multiple years with their collegiate programs), both Wagler and Mullins are headed out the door for the 2026 NBA Draft, where they could each hear their names called in the first round.

Clearly, the two freshmen have made and left their mark on the programs that recruited them just over a year ago.

While Illinois and Wagler didn't reach the ultimate goal of the National Championship, he deserves a round of applause for his season with the Fighting Illini and for what he was able to lead the team to accomplish in the NCAA Tournament.