March Madness is the most exhilarating three-week period in any sport. Packed full of incredible basketball and compelling stories, there isn’t a more exciting time for college basketball fans. All 68 teams are competing for the men’s college basketball National Championship.
However, it is unfortunate for 67 teams because they will not be handed the sport’s top prize. After winning the 2023 title, UConn is poised to win its second consecutive (and sixth overall).
Last year’s tournament run was impressive. The Huskies won all six of their tournament games by at least 13 points and held an average margin of victory of 20 points. This type of utter dominance doesn’t happen. A run like last year’s is rare; in fact, the last time a team won every game by 13 or more was Indiana in 1981 (and the Hoosiers only won five games, not six).
Last year’s run was just a precursor to what the Huskies became this year. During the 2022-23 season, UConn lost eight games, including seven to Big East opponents finishing fourth in the conference.
This year, UConn only lost three total games and finished 18-2 and first in the Big East, all on its way to the first conference tournament title since the 2016 season when it won the American conference title.
UConn was the No. 1 team in the nation this year according to KenPom’s Adjusted Efficiency Rating and is one of only three teams that rank in the top 15 in both adjusted offense and defense alongside Auburn and Arizona.
The Huskies are led by graduate student Tristen Newton who earned both the Associated Press Big East Player of the Year award and a nod from the AP first-team All-America.
Newton is by far UConn’s top asset and has been a big reason for the improvement from last season. But he isn’t the only reason for the Huskies’ stellar season. Four other players averaged double-digit scoring in the regular season. Plus, Hassan Diarra, who averages 6 points per game, was awarded the conference’s Sixth Man award. It is a UConn team that has plenty of eye-popping talent, while also possessing depth that will be pivotal for another deep run into April.
Maybe what gives me the most confidence about a Husky repeat champions story is the way they finished the season. After narrowly defeating St. John’s in the Big East Tournament semifinals, their title game performance was one to remember.
Taking on the No. 3 seed, Marquette, UConn dismantled the Golden Eagles 73-57. Combined with other results, like Houston losing to Iowa State, the UConn win propelled them back into the No. 1 overall seed for the NCAA tournament (its first in program history).
Interestingly enough, the Huskies were dealt a rather difficult hand for the impending tournament. UConn shares a cluttered East Region with a handful of challenging teams. San Diego State and Florida Atlantic, final four teams from last year, sit at the No. 5 and 8 seeds, respectively.
The East Region is also full of other conference champion heavyweights. Auburn and Iowa State are both coming off statement tournament wins in the Southeast Conference and Big 12, while Illinois had a strong performance in the Big Ten.
Even though the Huskies will be tested in their own region, they have proven time and time again throughout the past two years that they are more than capable of taking care of business and doing what they do best: winning.
Andrew Bowlby is a sophomore studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to share your thoughts about the column? Let Andrew know by tweeting him @andrew_bowlby.
