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(CNN) [Breaking news update, published at 11:38 p.m. ET]
The University of Connecticut won its fifth men’s basketball national title Monday night with a 76-59 win over San Diego State University at NRG Stadium in Houston. The Huskies have tied Duke for the most men’s national championships since 1985.
[Original story, published at 11:38 p.m. ET]
After a March Madness full of twists and surprises, for the first time in NCAA men’s basketball tournament history, all four No. 1 seeds failed to reach the Elite Eight. The time has come for the grand finale where UConn will face San Diego State University. Title Monday.
But if the final matchup is a bit of a surprise to everyone filling out the bracket before the tournament, it’s the culmination of an impressive month of No. 4 UConn and No. 5 San Diego State.
UConn have a shot at winning their fifth title in 25 years, but despite this pedigree they haven’t appeared in a championship game since 2014.
Star forward Adama Sanogo said after reaching the final, “It means a lot to us. It means everything we work for.” , you can go on Monday night.”
The Huskies have shaken off this long streak of underperformance from the first game of this tournament. They won their first two games with an average scoring difference of 19.5 points before destroying No. 3 seed Gonzaga in the Elite Eight with 28 points.
The big win was Elite Eight’s biggest margin of victory in 31 years, as UConn held the ‘Zags to a season-low 54 points.
Connecticut Center’s Donovan Klingan rejoices after defeating Miami.
“We feel like we’re the best defense in the country,” said UConn guard Tristen Newton, according to ESPN. The East is a true physical league, and given these conferences, it feels like no team plays defense like the Big East.”
Then in the Final Four, Sanogo and Donovan Klingan sealed the threat of Norchad Ommie as UConn defeated No.5 Miami 72-59.
“Their defensive effort was unbelievable,” UConn head coach Dan Hurley said at the post-game press conference.
“What did Adama do against one of the most physical infielders I’ve ever played against? What Tristen did on the floor game, especially in the first half.”
Sanogo double-doubled for 21 points, 10 rebounds and a 9-11 win from the floor.
But against the San Diego Aztecs, UConn faces an equally arrogant defense that was fully delivered in the Final Four, limiting the FAU to just eight shots after halftime.
San Diego State’s defense was key to its success, blocking eight shots and forcing 14 turnovers as the Aztecs won 71-64, making them top-seeded and tournament favorites in the Sweet 16. Negated the threat posed by Alabama.
San Diego State University kicked off its run in the most dramatic way possible in Monday’s title game as Lamont Butler’s buzzer-beater sank Florida Atlantic to win 72-71, sparking a rapturous on-court celebration. solidified his position.
San Diego State Guard Lamont Butler, 5, celebrates with his teammates after scoring the winning basket in the Final Four.
“The coaches have decided to call a timeout at the end,” Butler told reporters at a press conference afterwards.
“About seven seconds after I had the ball he told me to go downhill and grab something at the rim. They cut off nicely. I looked up and had two seconds left. I made a shot. I got to a shot that was comfortable.I went to pull ups.It worked.
Even in the Elite Eight, after a controversial foul call with 1.2 seconds remaining, the Aztecs creaked past their opponents and the game was tied at 56.
Until this season, San Diego State hadn’t even reached the Elite Eight, but their last two games showed they were willing to go all the way.
According to ESPN, Aztec’s Matt Bradley then said, “We’ve been knocked down all the time. But the biggest thing we always do is stand up and keep fighting.”
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