UConn’s Season Leading Up to NCAA Tournament
The 2023-24 season so far has been nothing short of historical for UConn. Entering the season there was already an energy from last year’s title that radiated within the team that catapulted them to a 7-0 start before falling to Kansas. There’s no shame in losing to a then-ranked number-five team in the country on the road and the Huskies did not falter much following it.
The only two losses they suffered during the conference regular season were to Seton Hall and Creighton on the road, both being quality opponents. They began to separate themselves from the rest of the Big East conference teams, even holding the first position in the AP Poll for six straight weeks.
UConn finished the regular season at home with a 30-point win over Seton Hall to claim their first Big East Regular Season conference championship since 2006.
The Huskies came to the conference tournament as the favorites. After defeating Xavier, St. John’s, and Marquette, they captured their first Big East Tournament title since 2011.
Keys to the Repeat For UConn
Sharing the Ball
- After nearly every game, Head Coach Dan Hurley emphasizes the importance of passing the rock around for his team to have success. The Huskies rolling to a 28-3 regular season record was no mistake. Throughout the season UConn ranked sixth in the nation in assists with 18.3 per game. If you look at each of their three losses during the season against Kansas, Seton Hall, and Creighton, they turned in only nine, 13, and eight assists. Sharing the ball closer to their season average should only help them make another championship run.
Staying out of Foul Trouble
- The Huskies have incredible options for their big men during the game, but they also could not be more different. The 7’2” sophomore Donovan Clingan is arguably the most impactful defensive anchor in the country and his backup, junior Samson Johnson is a high-flying pick-and-roll option with quick feet. At his size, Clingan tends to get fatigued when on the floor for long stints, so Johnson comes in to play impactful minutes and refresh Clingan’s legs. The problem can be Johnson’s foul trouble issues. The 6’10” forward has averaged 3.0 fouls per contest. If he plays without fouling in the tournament, not many teams can keep up with the physical duo.
Consistent Guard Play
- It often is swept under the rug how vital graduate student Tristen Newton was to last year’s title run. Often regarded by Connecticut fans as “Mr. Triple Double,” he fills up the stats sheets and has elevated his play this season to a Player of the Year Candidate level. Averaging 14.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.8 assists at the time of writing, Newton is a threat in all facets of the game.
His backcourt partner graduate student Cam Spencer has been among the most impactful transfer portal moves this season. His ability to positively affect the game even without the ball has been second to none in the Big East. The two have proven they can perform when the lights shine the brightest. Coincidentally, that’s what teams need in the NCAA Tournament to make a run.
Prediction: UConn Takes the Crown
Some of the greatest athletes of all time have admitted going back-to-back in championships is one of the most difficult tasks one can do. With that being said, I believe UConn has the makings to be the first repeat champions since Billy Donovan’s Florida Gators almost two decades ago.
Having two All-American caliber lead guards in Newton and Spencer and combining them with an experienced frontcourt in redshirt sophomore Alex Karaban and Clingan, they seem primed to repeat.
Hurley has rebuilt the championship culture in Storrs and will have his eyes set on doing something very few coaches and teams have accomplished before. As I fill out my bracket, I will be going with the UConn Huskies to deliver their sixth national championship.
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