UConn’s Alex Karaban On Brink Of NCAA Tournament History: ‘It Would Be So Special For Him’

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - APRIL 08: Head coach Dan Hurley and Alex Karaban #11 of the Connecticut Huskies celebrate after beating the Purdue Boilermakers 75-60 to win the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Getty Images Alex Karaban certainly didn’t play one of his best games in the Final Four against Illinois, but his UConn teammates picked up the slack enough to help Karaban move to the brink of history. Karaban, the only senior in the Final Four, is now one win from capturing his third NCAA championship in four years.

He would be the only player in college basketball history not from UCLA to accomplish that feat. Against Illinois, Karban shot just 1-of-8 for 9 points while going a perfect 6-of-6 from the line in UConn’s 71-62 victory. He chipped in 4 rebounds and 4 assists.

He and the Huskies will take on the Michigan-Arizona winner in Monday’s championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. “I think AK just holds the standard with this program,” freshman guard Braylon Mullins said after scoring 15 points in the win. "That's the guy you look up to on the court.

He's been through it twice and just knowing that he has been through it twice, you can use him as an outlet. “I mean, to make history with Monday for him, I think that’s what we're all trying to accomplish, and it would be so special for him. ” The 6-foot-8 Karaban, a Southborough, Mass.