The UConn Huskies booked their spot with a 71 – 62 win over Illinois this morning and will feature in their third title game in four seasons against Michigan on Tuesday.
The Huskies deep run into March Madness has provided an unparalleled learning and development experience for Tasmanian freshman, Jacob Furphy.
Furphy, a 6’5 big-bodied guard, and has been biding his time off the bench in a stacked position group under Dan Hurley.
Hurley likes hard-nosed guards and spoke to Furphy’s characteristics in January via Colin Keane, Sports Illustrated.
“He’s tough, and he’s smart and he’s got great size at guard, and the way we play fits him perfectly,” said Hurley.
The 19-year-old has already shown maturity beyond his years, progressing from the Centre of Excellence at the AIS in Canberra to lead the Emus at the FIBA U19 World Cup, and debut for the Boomers senior program in FIBA Qualifiers.
Furphy’s primary role may be from the sideline in the MBB Championship Game, but regardless, Australia will be on the Huskies come Tuesday.
UConn v Michigan
Tip Off: 10:50am AEST – 7 April
ESPN and streaming partners Disney+ & Kayo Sports
DELL’ORSO, WILDCATS BOW OUT
We were on the verge of a historic double AUS fixture in the MBB Championship Game, but the incredible journey for Anthony Dell’Orso and the Arizona Wildcats came to an end, 91 – 73 against Michigan in the Final Four.
Dell’Orso enjoyed a breakout year in Season 2026, operating as a versatile plug in for Lloyd in Arizona. The guard from Bulleen in the North-East of Melbourne finished his senior year with a considerable volume of game time and will scope professional opportunities for 2027.
NOTABLE (HONOURABLE) MENTIONS
The highest-flying programs featuring Aussies in the WBB all stalled at the Sweet 16. TCU (Sarah Portlock), Vanderbilt (Monique Williams) and Kentucky (Amelia Hassett) exited in the stage of 16.
It was a tough exit for the #2 ranked Vanderbilt who were upset by Notre Dame, 67 - 64. Portlock and TCU were overwhelmed by title fancies South Carolina 78 - 52. Hassett, a senior forward from NSW, started at forward and clocked 30 minutes in Kentucky’s 76 – 54 loss against Texas.
