Video of Southern Illinois vs Connecticut - 2002 Regional Semifinals
- Final Score: Southern Illinois: 59, Connecticut: 71
- NCAA Tournament Game: 2002 Regional Semifinals
- Carrier Dome - Syracuse, New York
UConn won their 12th straight as the Huskies beat the Southern Illinois Salukis 71-59, thus earning it's first berth in the Elite Eight since they won the national championship in 1999. The Huskies' march towards another title was cut short when Maryland knocked them out of the tournament the very next day. Southern Illinois closed out their season with a school-record 28 wins.
NCAA Tournament Video Highlights
- Great passing between Rolan Roberts and Stetson Hairston beneath the basket results in two points. (Rolan Roberts, Southern Illinois)
- Freshman Ben Gordon's 3pointer gave the Huskies the lead for good at 16 14 with 12 minutes left in the first half and triggered a 13 4 spurt. (Ben Gordon, )
- Caron Butler nailed a 3pointer and Tony Robertson added a jumper with just under seven minutes left to cap the run for a 26 18 advantage. (Caron Butler, UConn)
- Caron Butler gets a fast break and dunks it while drawing the foul. Butler made the extra point and went on to score 19points for the Huskies. (Caron Butler, UConn)
- Ben Gordon's 3pointer with 35 seconds left capped an 8 2 spurt as Connecticut went to halftime with a 40 28 cushion. (Ben Gordon, UConn)
- Rolan Roberts blocks a twopoint jumper by Johnnie Selvie and sends the ball flying. (Rolan Roberts, Southern Illinois)
- The Huskies maintained the advantage in the second half and had a 5341 lead on freshman Emeka Okafor's dunk with 10:35 remaining. (Emeka Okafor, UConn)
- Caron Butler on the fast break with Emeka Okafor and Butler slam dunks to bring Connecticut up 6049. (Caron Butler, UConn)
- Southern Illinois pulled within 6256 when Jermaine Dearman made 1 of 2 free throws with three minutes remaining. (Jermaine Dearman, Southern Illinois)