Connecticut's dominance on the court was in full swing as they took down San Diego State, claiming their fifth NCAA men's basketball title with a convincing 76-59 win at NRG Stadium in Houston. The Huskies' victory marked an impressive comeback from their regular season, which saw them struggle with six losses in eight games.
Senior guard Tristen Newton led the team with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while junior forward Adama Sanogo chipped in with 17 points and 10 rebounds, earning him the title of Final Four Most Outstanding Player. The duo's impressive performances were instrumental in UConn's comeback from a slow start, as they went on to outscore San Diego State by 36-24 at halftime.
Despite struggling early, San Diego State made a push in the second half, narrowing the deficit to five points with just over two minutes left on the clock. However, the Huskies responded with an eight-point run, taking a comfortable lead and sealing their victory.
San Diego State's Keshad Johnson led the Aztecs' scoring effort with 14 points, but it was not enough to overcome UConn's depth and resilience. Coach Dan Hurley praised his team's confidence and leadership, citing players like Andre Jackson and Sanogo as key contributors to their success.
UConn's dominant performance in the tournament was no surprise, as they had won each of their six games by at least 10 points. The Huskies' women's teams have also enjoyed significant success, winning 11 basketball national titles.
For San Diego State, the loss served as a learning experience, with coach Brian Dutcher acknowledging that his team had to be "at our best" in order to compete against UConn. Meanwhile, UConn's players expressed gratitude and excitement at their championship win, with many hailing it as a family reunion for two cousins who have also recently achieved major success on the women's side.
With this victory, UConn joins an elite group of teams that have won five NCAA men's basketball championships, alongside UCLA, Kentucky, North Carolina, Duke, and Indiana. The Huskies' title marks their sixth since 1999 and adds to their rich history in the sport.
Senior guard Tristen Newton led the team with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while junior forward Adama Sanogo chipped in with 17 points and 10 rebounds, earning him the title of Final Four Most Outstanding Player. The duo's impressive performances were instrumental in UConn's comeback from a slow start, as they went on to outscore San Diego State by 36-24 at halftime.
Despite struggling early, San Diego State made a push in the second half, narrowing the deficit to five points with just over two minutes left on the clock. However, the Huskies responded with an eight-point run, taking a comfortable lead and sealing their victory.
San Diego State's Keshad Johnson led the Aztecs' scoring effort with 14 points, but it was not enough to overcome UConn's depth and resilience. Coach Dan Hurley praised his team's confidence and leadership, citing players like Andre Jackson and Sanogo as key contributors to their success.
UConn's dominant performance in the tournament was no surprise, as they had won each of their six games by at least 10 points. The Huskies' women's teams have also enjoyed significant success, winning 11 basketball national titles.
For San Diego State, the loss served as a learning experience, with coach Brian Dutcher acknowledging that his team had to be "at our best" in order to compete against UConn. Meanwhile, UConn's players expressed gratitude and excitement at their championship win, with many hailing it as a family reunion for two cousins who have also recently achieved major success on the women's side.
With this victory, UConn joins an elite group of teams that have won five NCAA men's basketball championships, alongside UCLA, Kentucky, North Carolina, Duke, and Indiana. The Huskies' title marks their sixth since 1999 and adds to their rich history in the sport.