Is UConn Favorite to Win Back to Back NCAA Championship? Convincing Sweet 16 Win Sets Up March Madness Expectations

The thrill and excitement of this year’s March Madness has lived up to its hype and expectations. With Clemson and Alabama scripting history by taking down heavyweights like Arizona and North Carolina, there is no telling what is there to expect in future games. However, one thing that doesn’t surprise anyone is UConn’s supremacy in the East region.

The defending champions have silenced any and every doubt regarding their contention to back-to-back national championships. Moreover, the way they have secured their victories in these knockout stages is really scary for the teams left in the competition.

It has been 16 years since a reigning champion has defended its throne. It seems that the Huskies are adamant to end this drought this year. After clinching the regular season as well as the Big East Conference championships, Dan Hurley’s formidable squad has their eyes set on repeating their national glory heroics. Not many would have thought the Huskies would dominate the way they have at the moment.

They made a complete mockery of Stetson in their opening fixture by decimating them offensively and defensively. Although they scored more points in both their halves, it was the onslaught led by Donovan Clingan (19 points, 9/11 in FG) in the opening half that took the game away pretty early.

After this, they faced Northwestern as their next challenge. Once against they outscored their opponents in the first half (40-18 after the first half) which proved too much for the Wildcats in the end. Anyhow, both these games revealed lapses in their defense in the second half.

The five-time national champions addressed this concern when they faced the other finalists from last year’s championship game next.

UConn entering Elite Eight in style

San Diego State took the court in an attempt to avenge their previous year’s loss. And so it seems, they were right in the game after the conclusion of the first half trailing by just 9 points. Moreover, knowing the fact that teams have had a big second half against the opposition, they might as well have fancied their chances. As it turns out, the Huskies didn’t think the same way. They were outright relentless in those 20 minutes not giving the Aztechs any chance to make a comeback. Unlike their previous games, they steamrolled San Diego State. Evidently, UConn scored 42 points themselves and didn’t allowed the Aztechs to go past 21. Consequently, they put up their best post-season performance by closing the game on 82-52.

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In their current run of form, it will be extremely difficult for anyone to stop the Huskies. The authority that they are holding in each department is not something to be trifled with. Fans will be hopeful that things go according to plans for them to achieve Florida’s feat this time around.

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Do you think the Huskies will become the first team after Florida Gators to win back-to-back national championships?