Connecticut's UConn wins fifth NCAA men's basketball title after dominating tournament
The University of Connecticut claimed its fifth NCAA men's basketball championship, defeating San Diego State University 76-59 at NRG Stadium in Houston. The Huskies dominated the tournament, winning each of their six games by at least a 10-point margin.
Senior guard Tristen Newton led UConn with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Final Four Most Outstanding Player Adama Sanogo chipped in with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Coach Dan Hurley praised his team's confidence, which he believed had been bolstered during the season despite six losses in eight games.
The Aztecs struggled to contain UConn's potent offense, particularly in an 11-minute stretch where they scored just five free throws and missed 12 consecutive shots from the field. The Huskies went from down by 10 points early on to up 36-24 at halftime.
San Diego State trailed for most of the game but staged a late comeback, narrowing the deficit to five with 5:19 remaining before being outscored 9-0 by UConn over the final minutes. Coach Brian Dutcher acknowledged that his team was not at its best during the tournament and credited UConn's superior play.
UConn's victory marked the sixth time a program has won five or more NCAA men's basketball championships, joining UCLA, Kentucky, North Carolina, Duke, and Indiana. The Huskies have now claimed 11 national titles in their women's program, while Dan Hurley became the first coach to lead two programs to NCAA championships.
The win capped off an impressive postseason for UConn, which has won each of its six tournament games by at least a decade. For the team's players, including Final Four Most Outstanding Player Sanogo and senior guard Jordan Hawkins, who scored 16 points in the title game, the victory brought joy and vindication after a season marked by ups and downs.
Sanogo said he was grateful for his teammates' support, while Hawkins looked forward to celebrating with family members, including his cousin Angel Reese of Louisiana State University, who won the women's national title just a day earlier.
The University of Connecticut claimed its fifth NCAA men's basketball championship, defeating San Diego State University 76-59 at NRG Stadium in Houston. The Huskies dominated the tournament, winning each of their six games by at least a 10-point margin.
Senior guard Tristen Newton led UConn with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Final Four Most Outstanding Player Adama Sanogo chipped in with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Coach Dan Hurley praised his team's confidence, which he believed had been bolstered during the season despite six losses in eight games.
The Aztecs struggled to contain UConn's potent offense, particularly in an 11-minute stretch where they scored just five free throws and missed 12 consecutive shots from the field. The Huskies went from down by 10 points early on to up 36-24 at halftime.
San Diego State trailed for most of the game but staged a late comeback, narrowing the deficit to five with 5:19 remaining before being outscored 9-0 by UConn over the final minutes. Coach Brian Dutcher acknowledged that his team was not at its best during the tournament and credited UConn's superior play.
UConn's victory marked the sixth time a program has won five or more NCAA men's basketball championships, joining UCLA, Kentucky, North Carolina, Duke, and Indiana. The Huskies have now claimed 11 national titles in their women's program, while Dan Hurley became the first coach to lead two programs to NCAA championships.
The win capped off an impressive postseason for UConn, which has won each of its six tournament games by at least a decade. For the team's players, including Final Four Most Outstanding Player Sanogo and senior guard Jordan Hawkins, who scored 16 points in the title game, the victory brought joy and vindication after a season marked by ups and downs.
Sanogo said he was grateful for his teammates' support, while Hawkins looked forward to celebrating with family members, including his cousin Angel Reese of Louisiana State University, who won the women's national title just a day earlier.
. And Coach Dan Hurley should totes get more credit for his team's confidence boost during the season 
. But San Diego State did have a solid comeback attempt, even if they couldn't quite pull it off 
. It's just crazy thinking about all those other teams that have won like 6+ titles... UConn's got some serious bragging rights now 
?! I mean, they were absolute beasts on the court, dominating their opponents with ease 
. Tristen Newton and Adama Sanogo led the charge with some insane performances 
, while Coach Dan Hurley was all about that confidence life 
. San Diego State just couldn't contain them, especially in those crucial 11 minutes where they went cold 
. Congrats to UConn on their FIFTH NCAA title 
- they're literally the queens of college hoops 
!
They dominated every game and now they're holding that sweet NCAA trophy for the 5th time! 
I'm so hyped for their players, especially Sanogo and Hawkins, who played out of their minds! 
Coach Hurley must be super proud too! 
The Aztecs just couldn't keep up with UConn's offense, it was like they were a different team in the second half 
UConn's dominance is insane! 76-59? That's like me beating you in Mario Kart 
they always know how to bring home that championship ring 
I'm still trying to figure out how San Diego State managed to keep it close for so long 
can't wait to see what the Huskies do next season 
. And Sanogo, man... he's a beast on the court 
. It's not always easy to come back from losses and still make a deep run in the tournament. UConn showed everyone that they're more than just a team, they're a family 
. Can't wait to see what they do next season 
. Winning five or more NCAA championships, that's some serious history making stuff 
. UConn's got 11 national titles in their women's program too... they're on top of their game right now 
!
. San Diego State had some tough games against them too 
. I think UConn's coach Dan Hurley did a great job getting his team confident even with six losses in eight games 
I'm loving how confident he seems despite having some ups and downs during the season 
Adama Sanogo is a beast 
and not actual journalism. and don't even get me started on how outdated the tournament format is, 6 games in a row? can't they at least give us some variety or something? 
. I mean, I get it, winning is great and all that, but can't they at least have some close games or something? It's always the same story - they come from behind to win, and San Diego State just can't seem to keep up