2023-2024 Connecticut Huskies Have An Argument As The Greatest NCAA Men’s Team Ever

Dominance. That word can perfectly sum up the Connecticut Huskies’ championship run this NCAA tournament.

A second consecutive national title was never really doubted during this year’s edition of March Madness. On Monday night, the Huskies capped off the impressive run with a 75-60 victory against Purdue Boilermakers in the National Championship.

Before they beat the Boilermakers, the juggernaut from Storrs beat Stetson, Northwestern, San Diego State, Illinois and NC State on their way to becoming the first back-to-back championships since Billy Donovan led the Florida Gators to the same feat in 2006 and 2007.

They became the sixth team to win every game in the tournament by double digits. They pulled the same feat in the 2023 tournament, which means Connecticut is the only school to win 12 straight tournament games by ten or more. The team’s +140 point differential through the six games is the highest in the history of March Madness. In the Elite Eight against Illinois, the Huskies ripped off 30 straight points in the second half to break a close game wide open.

Center Donovan Clingan was arguably Connecticut’s heart and soul. The 7’2″ center was a force on both ends of the floor, making life miserable for opposing teams. Senior guard Tristen Newton scored 12 points or more in five of his team’s six tournament games and was named the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player. Cam Spencer, Alex Karaban and Stephon Castle rounded out a core that was made to succeed in March and April.

Winning the NCAA Tournament is notoriously tricky, given the lack of repeat winners. Despite making it look easy, Connecticut coach Dan Hurley emphasized humility and teamwork were the key to the team’s success.

“We just recruit really talented NBA players that are willing to not make it about themselves,” Hurley said after the National Championship to CBS Sports reporter Tracy Wolfson. “To be part of a winning group, to go for all the championships, and while doing that their draft stock is still really really high.”

“We both win,” he said. “UConn wins and the players do.”

As the Huskies look toward the 2024-2025 season, a three-peat won’t be out of the question. However, they are projected to lose all five starters to graduation or the draft. Hurley must assemble a championship-caliber roster through the transfer portal to defend their title and properly develop freshman recruits. These are all things Connecticut has done well recently—but in the world of college basketball, that can all turn on a dime.

In the meantime, the Huskies and the rest of Storrs will bask in what could be the sport’s most dominant playoff run.

Article by Benji Ferraro