UConn captures men’s basketball national title in win over San Diego State

The No. 4 seed the University of Connecticut Huskies are back on top of the men’s basketball throne after defeating the No. 5 San Diego State Aztecs, 76-59, to win the NCAA Tournament. .

This marks the fifth time since 1999 that the Huskies have lifted the trophy at the end of the college basketball routine. Only UCLA (11), Kentucky (8) and North Carolina (6) can say they have more titles since then.

And Dan Hurley, who wins his first career NCAA title as a head coach, saw his Huskies dominate once again with a double-digit victory in this tournament. The closest game was the win over Miami to get to this point.

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In fact, the Huskies beat all tournament opponents by double digits, starting with No. 13 Iona in the first round and going through St. Mary’s and Arkansas and defeating Gonzaga.

The Aztecs, however, did not make it easy for the Huskies.

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They cut UConn’s lead to six points in the second half after a confident 3-pointer from Keshad Johnson cut it to eight, and after an Andre Jackson Jr. turnover for the Huskies, Darrion Trammell made a layup at 7. :37 for playing. at the half to make the San Diego State fans in the crowd rise from their seats.

The lead would be cut to five when Johnson hit both free throws after some misses by UConn, but in the end, the Huskies were able to rally and finish strong.

Adama Sanogo #21 of the Connecticut Huskies shoots the ball against Jaedon LeDee #13 of the San Diego State Aztecs during the first half of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at NRG Stadium on April 3, 2023 in Houston Texas. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Tristen Newton helped that cause when he hit both of his free throws to make it 10 points, then with 2:51 remaining, knocked down a layup to push the lead to 12.

Newton finished the game with a team-high 19 points on 5-of-11 shooting, including a perfect 8-of-8 from the free-throw line. He also had 10 rebounds and four assists.

Adama Sanogo, who has been pure electricity in the paint for the Huskies throughout this tournament, was once again a key player in the win. He had 17 points on 5-of-9 and 7-of-8 from the charity streak with 10 boards and a block en route to winning NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player.

It was a low-scoring first half in this one, as the Huskies entered the locker room up 36-24. The Aztecs found themselves without a field goal for just over 11 minutes as the UConn defense was smothering them and missing open looks on the perimeter.

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Matt Bradley #20 of the San Diego State Aztecs reacts with teammates during the second half against the Connecticut Huskies during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at NRG Stadium on April 3, 2023 in Houston , Texas. (Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Still, the Aztecs played a bit of self-defense and were only down 26-17 after that stretch was broken by a Trammell jump shot with 5:26 to go in the half.

Trammell was one of three Aztecs to finish the game in double digits with 13. Johnson led the Aztecs with 14 points, while Lamont Butler also lost 13.

UConn’s defense held San Diego State to 32.2% from the field, while they shot 43.4%. They also slightly outrebounded the Aztecs 40 to 34.

Tristen Newton #2 of the Connecticut Huskies reacts during the first half of the San Diego State Aztecs during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at NRG Stadium on April 3, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

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The Huskies’ last title came in 2014 when they defeated Kentucky. They also won it all in 2011 and 2004 after that first win in 1999.