Husky Nation: UConn Men's Basketball Wins 5th National Title

The University of Connecticut men's basketball team won its fifth national championship late Monday, defeating the University of San Diego State Aztecs in Houston, Texas.

UConn defeated San Diego State 76-59 to win the tournament championship.

UConn led by as many as 16 points in the first half, and the lead was cut to 60-55 in the second half. San Diego State went on a 9-2 run in the second half to cut into UConn's lead. After San Diego State cut the lead to 5, UConn answered with the next 9 points to take a commanding 69-55 lead with 2 minutes remaining.

UConn was clutch in the last 2 minutes, hitting several free throws.

Coach Dan Hurley raised the championship trophy during the presentation ceremony and passed it onto his players. Hurley told Jim Nantz that the team had a lot of confidence and benefitted from great leaders, who kept the team together all season.

San Diego State began the game with a 10-6 advantage, and then UConn went on a 14-2 run and led 22-12 with under 8 minutes to go in the first half. The lead increased to 16 for UConn at 36-20 and the half ended with UConn up 36-24.

In the first half, UConn was paced by Tristen Newton with 9 points, and Adam Sanogo and Jordan Hawkins both had 7 points.

Newton led all scorers at the end of the game with 19 points, followed by Sanogo with 17 and Hawkins, 16. Sanogo was named most valuable player of the Final Four.

UConn was dominant during a topsy-turvy March Madness where numerous favorites were picked off in the early rounds.

UConn defeated the University of Miami 72-59 Saturday night to advance to the title game. UConn routed Gonzaga 82-54 to advance to the Final Four. UConn also defeated Arkansas 88-65, and St. Mary's 70-55. UConn kicked off the tournament by blowing out Iona in the second half and winning 87-63.

The Huskies have now won 5 NCAA tournament championships, 1999, 2004, 2011, 2014, and now 2023. UCLA has won the most championships with 11, followed by Kentucky, 8, North Carolina, 6, and Duke and Indiana also have 5 each.