Going for Consecutive NCAA Titles, Which Team Can Stop UConn and How?

The University of Connecticut Huskies are playing exceptionally well and going by their form, they look to be tough contenders for the NCAA Championship title this year. They are to clash with the San Diego State in the Sweet 16 and look unbeatable as of now. The only team that can stop them is the Illinois Fighting Illini who are also playing their Sweet 16 game against the Iowa State Cyclones.

If both UConn and Illinois can win this game, then they would clash against each other in the Elite Eight and that looks to be an at par match considering the form of both the teams. The game between Illinois and the Cyclones is also going to widely viewed considering that the Cyclones are one of the best defenses in the country and the Illini will have their first Sweet 16 game since 2005.

UConn on the other hand have won 8 straight tournament games with 13 or more points. It will be difficult to contain them during the Sweet 16 match. Their head coach Dan Hurley will be eyeing another win and their past few games obviously make them the favorites to advance to the Elite Eight.

Meanwhile, Illinois have guards like Terrence Shannon Jr. and forwards like Marcus Domask and Coleman Hawkins. While Shannon has basketed 23.3 points per game, Domask has throttled 16.1 points per match along with Hawkins who has 12.3 per contest. It is no surprise that with so high-ceiling, Illinois are considered as one of the best offensive teams this season.

The case for stopping UConn does not only lie with Illinois, UConn will face a tough challenge even if they encounter Cyclones. Cyclones are one of the toughest nuts to crack in defense and it will be interesting to see what steps Hurley takes to make it to the Final Four. However, there is no denying the fact that Hurley is still one of the favorite coaches to make it to the Final Four.

Strengths and Weaknesses

The weak side of UConn is that they haven’t been in many close games this season. This definitely has given them less practice of clutch moments and it will be interesting to check if UConn’s gameplay meanders a bit if they are presented with high pressure situations. And both these teams – Cyclones and Fighting Illini – can present them with adverse situations and fans would be looking for Hurley’s tactics under such conditions.

Will he be able to steer them clear of any such conditions or will he get trapped in them and find it difficult to come out, only time will tell. However, UConn are surely favorites to edge past San Diego State. One of their major strengths is that they don’t shoot much threes yet win the game by blowout margins. Any team that battles UConn will have to keep this in check, else Hurley’s squad will easily trump their opponents and move ahead in the tough contest. 

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Their forward Dain Dainja can also be a threat to UConn. Whichever team tries to defeat UConn will have to perform collectively and hit on their weakness of not being in high pressure situations. And from there, if the UConn lose their nerves, then it is surely going to be a thriller with the game swinging to either side. Another thing that UConn opponents can look to do is attack them from the wing. UConn might concede few points from the wings and that is a way of dominating UConn team.

Can UConn win?

UConn are clear favorites to advance to the Elite Eight. And from there on, even to the Final Four. With Shannon Jr., the Fighting Illini have a good wing attack and hence they are going to be the team that stop UConn.

Nonetheless, UConn holds advantage in experience during elimination matches since they were the trophy lifters last season and hold significant advantage when it comes to decimating the opponents. However, if their contenders keep track of the most noteworthy things which is to attack from the wings and also put them in pressure situations, who knows the game might turn in their favor.

If not, then UConn are poised to advance to the Final Four. And from there, they can move ahead to the Championship Finale and lift the title consecutively. There will be no denying that Hurley is one of the strongest coaches who has made the team a tough one to battle and there is nothing stopping the rise of UConn.

Just like the Lady Huskies head coach Gemno Auriemma took his team to consecutive wins during the Breanna Stewart era, Hurley would want to repeat the championship.

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