Amanda Knapp
UConn Men's Basketball has experienced a range of highs and lows over the past few years. After entering the NCAA Tournament as a No. 8 seed, the team was dealt an unfortunate loss to the eventual national champion Florida Gators, leading to an early exit. However, they have also celebrated significant victories, including winning their fifth national championship by defeating San Diego State with a score of 76-59. UConn's success in men's basketball can be attributed to the efforts of coach Dan Hurley, who has guided the team to remarkable achievements. The team has produced notable alumni such as Ray Allen and Rudy Gay, and their success has brought joy to fans and the state of Connecticut.
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What You'll Learn
UConn Huskies win fifth national championship
The UConn Huskies men's basketball team won its fifth national championship in school history on Monday, April 3, 2023, defeating the San Diego State University Aztecs 76-59. The Huskies, led by a veteran core of Sanogo, Jackson, and Hawkins, won all six of their NCAA tournament games by an average of 20 points, making them the fifth team since the tournament expanded in 1985 to do so. This victory marked the end of a dominant run for the Huskies, who had not won an NCAA tournament game since 2016 and had entered the 2022-23 season unranked after losing eight scholarship players. Despite this, UConn jumped out to a 14-0 start and climbed to No. 2 in the AP Top 25 poll by mid-December. The team hit a rough patch in January, losing six of their next eight games, but they recovered to win eight of their last nine regular-season games.
In the NCAA tournament, UConn continued their winning streak, defeating No. 13 seed Iona, No. 5 Saint Mary's, No. 8 Arkansas, and No. 3 Gonzaga. They then beat No. 5 Miami in the national semifinal, their smallest margin of victory with a 13-point win. In the national championship game, the Huskies faced a tough challenge from San Diego State, who cut their lead down to five points. However, UConn responded with a knockout punch, securing their fifth national title and reaffirming their status as one of the premier programs in college basketball.
This victory also held additional significance for UConn coach Dan Hurley, who celebrated his first national title. With this win, Hurley became the third UConn coach to lead the team to a national championship, following in the footsteps of Jim Calhoun and Kevin Ollie. Additionally, UConn became the first and only school in NCAA Division I history to have both its men's and women's basketball programs win national championships in the same season twice, with the women's team also claiming the title in 2023.
The Huskies' dominant performance in the 2022-23 season, capped off by their fifth national championship, solidified their place as one of the most successful and consistent men's college basketball programs in the country.
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UConn head coach Dan Hurley
Dan Hurley is the head coach of the UConn Huskies men's basketball team. He was named to the position on March 22, 2018, and has since led the team to multiple NCAA tournament appearances and championship wins.
Hurley's career at UConn started strong and has continued to gain momentum. In 2021, he brought the Huskies back to the NCAA tournament for the first time in five years. The following year, they returned to the tournament but lost in the first round. However, in 2023, Hurley led the Huskies to their fifth national championship, defeating San Diego State 76-59. This win marked the first national championship for Hurley and the fifth in the history of the UConn men's basketball program.
Hurley's success at UConn has been attributed to his passion and competitive drive, which he considers the "rocket fuel" for his success. This intensity has also led to some controversial moments, as he has gained a reputation for berating officials and fans. Despite this, Hurley has achieved remarkable results, including leading the Huskies to a school-record 37 wins in the 2023-24 season, a Big East regular-season title, and a Big East tournament championship.
Hurley's achievements at UConn have not gone unnoticed, and he has received several lucrative offers from other teams. However, he has chosen to remain loyal to UConn, signing contract extensions in June 2023 and July 2024 worth $32.1 million and $50 million over six years, respectively. This decision demonstrates his commitment to the team and his desire to continue building on their recent successes.
Hurley's impact on the UConn men's basketball team has been significant, and he has played a crucial role in their recent triumphs, including their latest NCAA championship win. His passion, intensity, and competitive spirit have driven the team to new heights, solidifying their position as a dominant force in college basketball.
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UConn vs San Diego State
The UConn Huskies men's basketball team faced off against San Diego State in the NCAA Tournament national championship game on April 3, 2023. UConn won the game 76-59, claiming their fifth national championship title. The Huskies dominated the game, pulling away early and maintaining their lead throughout. This victory marked the continuation of an impressive winning streak for UConn, as they added another double-digit victory to their March Madness run.
The starting lineup for UConn included Jordan Hawkins, Adama Sanogo, Andre Jackson Jr., Tristen Newton, and Donovan Clingan. Hawkins and Sanogo were key contributors, with Hawkins making several jumpers and Sanogo scoring key layups and jumpers. Newton and Jackson Jr. also played crucial roles, with Newton providing assists and making jumpers, while Jackson Jr. facilitated the offense with assists and scored a jumper of his own.
On the other hand, San Diego State struggled to find their rhythm. Their players, including Adama Sanogo, Jordan Hawkins, and Tristen Newton, missed several shots throughout the game. Sanogo missed a two-point tip shot, while Hawkins missed a dunk and a three-point jumper early on. Newton also had a series of missed jumpers. Despite these setbacks, Sanogo and Hawkins were able to contribute with some made shots, and Newton provided important assists.
The UConn Huskies' victory over San Diego State in the national championship game solidified their position as one of the top men's college basketball teams in the nation. This win added to their impressive basketball legacy and showcased the team's depth and determination.
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UConn's early exit from the 2025 NCAA Tournament
UConn entered the 2025 NCAA Tournament as the No. 8 seed, seeking their third consecutive national title after winning the championship in 2023 and 2024. They began the tournament with a first-round victory over Oklahoma, but their journey was cut short in the round of 32.
UConn faced the Florida Gators, who would go on to become the national champions, and suffered a narrow 77-75 defeat. This unexpected early exit prompted head coach Dan Hurley and his staff to make changes to the roster. They received a commitment from Dayton transfer Malachi Smith, a seasoned player who would bolster the team's backcourt.
The Huskies had a challenging season, with a 22-9 record before entering the Big East tournament as the No. 3 seed. They experienced several significant losses, causing them to drop out of the national rankings in February. Despite these setbacks, UConn demonstrated their resilience and potential by defeating Villanova in the Big East tournament.
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UConn's 2023 and 2024 championship wins
The 2023-24 UConn Huskies men's basketball team represented the University of Connecticut in the 2023–24 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. Led by sixth-year head coach Dan Hurley, the team had a successful season, setting multiple records and ultimately winning the national championship.
During the regular season, the Huskies played their home games at the Harry A. Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Connecticut, and the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut, attracting an average home attendance of 12,733 fans across 16 games. The team finished the season with an impressive 37–3 record, including an 18–2 record in Big East play, which secured them the regular-season championship. They became the first Big East team to win 18 conference games and set program records for regular-season wins (28) and total wins (37) in a single season.
In the postseason, the Huskies continued their dominant run, defeating Iona, Saint Mary's, Arkansas, and Gonzaga to advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2014. They then beat Miami and San Diego State to claim the school's fifth national championship since 1999, with a final score of 76-59. This victory made them the first team since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985 to win every game by at least 14 points, breaking their previous record of winning margins set the year before.
The 2024 championship win marked the second consecutive national title for the UConn Huskies, as they had also won the championship in 2023. This back-to-back championship run further solidified the team's reputation as one of the best in UConn history and among the greatest college basketball teams of all time.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2025, UConn men's basketball team won their third consecutive national championship, defeating San Diego State 76-59.
Dan Hurley is the coach of the UConn men's basketball team.
UConn entered the 2025 NCAA Tournament as a No. 8 seed, looking to win its third straight national title. They won their first-round game against Oklahoma but were knocked out in the round of 32 by the eventual national champion, Florida Gators, with a score of 77-75.
