There are many things that only happen once in a lifetime. The same can be said for the NCAA. The sport of basketball is very competitive. Teams that dominate all year get knocked out in the early rounds of the tournament. Unknown colleges from the lower-regarded conferences are now on the map. That is what keeps March Madness so exciting. Students and alumni come together to support their brand. For many schools, this is it – the only chance to get their name sealed in history. Win or go home. Many teams have been there before and only a few can proudly hang the banner. It becomes extra special when both the men and women have their teams involved. That is where history is made, or the elusive, once-in-a-lifetime event. UConn is the only college that has been able to make the claim, twice.
The University of Connecticut was the only school in NCAA history where both the men and women’s basketball team won their respective tournaments. In 2004, The UConn Huskies women’s team finished a perfect 39-0. The Huskies beat the Tennessee Lady Vols 70-61 to win the women’s National Championship. The ladies won their third consecutive title that year, but this one was extra special. Just a day before, the boys defeated Georgia Tech 82-73, to win the men’s National Championship. Ten years later, in 2014, they did the impossible for the second time and won the ladies’ and men’s chips. Now, here we are in 2023, and UConn is looking to make history… again.
Sweet 16
A handful of colleges still remain hopeful with the girls’ and the boy’s teams making it to the Sweet 16. There are four colleges with two teams remaining in their respective tournaments. There are 24 other colleges with one entry on either the men’s or women’s side looking for a single banner. Here are the four that are hoping to take home both:
UCLA: Men’s #2 (West) – Women’s #4 (Region 1)
UConn: Men’s #4 (West) – Women’s #2 (Region 1)
Tennessee: Men’s #4 (East) – Women’s #4 (Region 3)
Miami: Men’s #5 (Midwest) – Women’s #9 (Region 2)
The Sweet 16 is a great accomplishment for all schools and is satisfaction enough. Now that they are there, the college starts to believe that this is their time. The campus becomes engrossed in March Madness. School spirit is everywhere across America. Old shirts are brought out by the alumni. New and old feuds among friends at their rivalries begin. This is it. Do or die. It is great to have one team still involved and now you have two. The best part is watching the enthusiasm as the cameras pan over the crowds at the games. The worst part is seeing the sadness of those who know their time is over. Maybe next year. Maybe never again. This will only happen once in a lifetime. For some, maybe. UConn will be looking to make history, again. All that stands in the way is 30 other teams trying to ensure it does not happen.
RT IF YOUR TEAM IS DANCING IN THE SWEET 16#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/NfPbjLzYlQ
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 20, 2023
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