UConn Dominates to a National Championship

HOUSTON - The University of Connecticut Men's Basketball team has brought home their fifth championship banner to Storrs, Connecticut. On April 3, Coach Dan Hurley's team won the coveted trophy with a 76-59 victory over San Diego State University. Although the Huskies won the national title by 17 points, it was their most tense game of the tournament, which speaks to how dominant their run was. Senior Guard and transfer from East Carolina, Tristen Newton, led the way for UConn in the final. He scored a game high 19 points while putting together 10 rebounds. A late second half three by Jordan Hawkins, a projected first round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, was the dagger for the Huskies that stretched the lead and ended a SDSU comeback run.  

UConn's rotation was dominant throughout the tournament, leading to victories over Iona, St. Mary's, Arkansas, Gonzaga, and Miami. Adama Sanogo was voted Final Four Most Outstanding Player after playing a key role in the Huskies' tournament and season. Sanogo averaged 19.7 points per game while dominating in the paint throughout the tournament. Andre Jackson was another important member of this Huskies team; his contributions to the team may not always be shown in the box score, but his leadership and intensity were significant factors in UConn's success. Alex Karaban, a true freshman from Massachusetts, was the Huskies' final starter. His lights-out three-point shooting throughout the tournament and season played a significant role in the UConn attack. The Huskies' bench rotation consisted primarily of three players: Nahiem Alleyne, Joe Calcanterra, and 7'1" freshman and Connecticut native Donovan Clingan. All three players made significant contributions throughout the NCAA tournament, particularly in the National Championship game. 

Despite losing Hawkins and Sanogo to the NBA draft, UConn is positioned to have another tremendously successful season next year. The Huskies are currently ESPN's "way-too-early" number one team in the country for the upcoming season. Donovan Clingan, who recently announced that he will return for his sophomore season, is already a candidate for preseason All-American accolades. UConn will also have an excellent recruiting class, led by Stephon Castle. The 6'6" guard is ranked #10 in the country by 247 Sports, while Hurley's whole 2023 class is ranked fourth in the country, after only Kentucky, Duke, and Michigan State. The Connecticut Huskies are strong because of all of their returning and incoming talent and will look to go back-to-back and bring a sixth national championship to Storrs.