According to UConn’s website, 357 UConn students are from Greenwich, 6 faculty members, and about 1500 alums but last night everyone in Greenwich felt like a Huskie as they earned the title of NCAA Champion winning 76-59.
Greenwich resident, Gov. Ned Lamont tweeted: “You guys worked so hard for this and we could not be more proud. Now, it’s time to plan a parade.”
The Huskies’ victory against San Diego State marked their fifth national championship in 24 years under three different coaches.
The game seemed decided by halftime, with the Huskies leading by 16 points, but San Diego State fought back to cut the lead to five before UConn responded with a knockout punch to secure the win. Junior center Adama Sanogo was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, finishing the title game with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
This dominant performance solidifies UConn’s status as one of the premier programs in college basketball, ending any debates about their inclusion among the sport’s elite. The Huskies won their six NCAA tournament games by an average of 20.0 points per game, marking one of the most dominant runs in NCAA tournament history.
Despite a shaky start against San Diego State, UConn quickly took control of the game, displaying their opportunistic and aggressive playing style. The Huskies’ size and length posed significant challenges for their opponents, and their relentless pressure forced numerous turnovers.
San Diego State attempted a comeback in the second half, cutting UConn’s lead to just five points, but the Huskies promptly responded with a decisive knockout punch. Key contributions from Tristen Newton and Jordan Hawkins in the closing minutes of the game helped to secure UConn’s victory and their place in NCAA history.
For Head Coach Dan Hurley, this championship represents the culmination of a five-year journey that began with a struggling team in a different conference. Hurley’s vision and determination transformed the Huskies, guiding them from the American Athletic Conference to the Big East and ultimately to the national championship.
