UConn Routs San Diego State, Clinches Fifth NCAA Men's Basketball Title
The University of Connecticut has secured its fifth NCAA men's basketball championship with a convincing 76-59 victory over San Diego State at NRG Stadium in Houston.
Tristen Newton led the Huskies with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Adama Sanogo added 17 points and 10 rebounds. The win marked UConn's sixth tournament game by at least 10 points, with its closest contest being a 13-point win over the University of Miami in the national semifinals.
San Diego State struggled to contain UConn's offense, particularly during an 11-minute stretch where they scored just five free throws and missed 12 consecutive shots from the field. The Huskies capitalized on this misfortune, going from down 10-6 to up 36-24 at halftime.
UConn coach Dan Hurley credited his team's resilience in overcoming early deficits. "We weren't ranked going into the year so we had the chip on our shoulder," he said. "We knew the level that we could play at, even through those dark times."
Despite a late second-half surge from San Diego State, UConn managed to maintain its lead and seal the victory. Coach Brian Dutcher acknowledged that his team's inability to contain UConn's offense was crucial in their loss.
For UConn players, the win marked a milestone moment in the program's history. Senior guard Jordan Hawkins noted that winning the championship is "absolutely amazing" and looks forward to celebrating with his family, including cousin Angel Reese, who won the women's title just one day earlier.
With this victory, UConn joins an exclusive group of teams to have won five NCAA men's basketball championships, alongside UCLA, Kentucky, North Carolina, Duke, and Indiana.
The University of Connecticut has secured its fifth NCAA men's basketball championship with a convincing 76-59 victory over San Diego State at NRG Stadium in Houston.
Tristen Newton led the Huskies with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Adama Sanogo added 17 points and 10 rebounds. The win marked UConn's sixth tournament game by at least 10 points, with its closest contest being a 13-point win over the University of Miami in the national semifinals.
San Diego State struggled to contain UConn's offense, particularly during an 11-minute stretch where they scored just five free throws and missed 12 consecutive shots from the field. The Huskies capitalized on this misfortune, going from down 10-6 to up 36-24 at halftime.
UConn coach Dan Hurley credited his team's resilience in overcoming early deficits. "We weren't ranked going into the year so we had the chip on our shoulder," he said. "We knew the level that we could play at, even through those dark times."
Despite a late second-half surge from San Diego State, UConn managed to maintain its lead and seal the victory. Coach Brian Dutcher acknowledged that his team's inability to contain UConn's offense was crucial in their loss.
For UConn players, the win marked a milestone moment in the program's history. Senior guard Jordan Hawkins noted that winning the championship is "absolutely amazing" and looks forward to celebrating with his family, including cousin Angel Reese, who won the women's title just one day earlier.
With this victory, UConn joins an exclusive group of teams to have won five NCAA men's basketball championships, alongside UCLA, Kentucky, North Carolina, Duke, and Indiana.
Can you believe it?! The Huskies are back on top!!! 
I was on the edge of my seat during that game, especially when UConn was down 10-6 but came back so strong! 
They played so well together as a team and their coach Dan Hurley is totally right, they had that chip on their shoulder since they weren't ranked at the start of the year. 
It's amazing for all those seniors to win this championship with their family there to celebrate - my heart goes out to them! 
And now UConn joins some super elite company, it's crazy to think about! 
Their win over San Diego State was SO convincing 
! And let's be real, their defense was on point 
! Coach Dan Hurley must've been so proud of his team's resilience 
. I can imagine the emotions they felt when they knew they were gonna take that championship home 
. And congrats to Jordan Hawkins & co for making it 5 NCAA titles 
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. Coach Dan Hurley must be so proud too 
uconn played so clutch they had us rooting for them from the start 
dan hurley's right though, his team did have a chip on their shoulder coming into the year and they didn't let anyone get in their way 
i'm so happy for the uconn team! they've worked so hard all season and it paid off 
their chip on the shoulder was palpable 
all hail uconn 
. Dan Hurley is so right though - having that chip on their shoulder all year made a huge difference. And can you imagine being part of a team with such history and tradition? It's like they're carrying the torch for the whole program 
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. Now UConn gets to celebrate with that chip they've been chasing for years and I couldn't be more happy for them 
I mean, come on, 76-59? That's not exactly a blowout, is it? San Diego State definitely had some rough moments, but UConn was still getting outplayed pretty badly in those early stretches. Like, 12 consecutive missed shots from the field? 
he kept his team motivated even when they were down by 10. Now we get to see the Huskies celebrate their FIVE-PEAT 
Angel Reese's win yesterday was awesome but it's not the same as bringing home a title with your own team 
UConn forever! 
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. Now, let's get ready for some serious celebrations with Jordan and the whole squad 
I'm also loving the confidence of the players, especially Jordan Hawkins – that win is definitely going to be a memory to cherish for life 
. And congrats to cousin Angel Reese too, winning the women's title just days before... what an amazing achievement for the UConn family! 
can't wait to see what the future holds for this team! 
. "Chip on our shoulder"? Give me a break, dude. It's not like they're trying to sell shoes or something 
. And seriously, how hard is it to contain an offense when you've got 10 guys on the court? San Diego State should know better than to underestimate UConn 
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. Can we move on to something else now?
. Also, can't help but think that San Diego State got a free pass with all those early turnovers 
and now uconn joins the elite squad 
UCLA, kentucky, nc, duke, & indy all got it 
