Connecticut routs San Diego State to win its fifth NCAA men’s basketball title after dominating tournament | CNN

Connecticut Wins Fifth NCAA Men's Basketball Title After Dominant Performance

The University of Connecticut (UConn) has secured its fifth men's basketball national title, defeating San Diego State University by a convincing margin of 76-59 in the championship game held at NRG Stadium in Houston. This victory marked UConn's first title since 2014, and it solidifies their position as one of the most successful programs in NCAA history.

Senior guard Tristen Newton led the Huskies with an impressive performance, scoring 19 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Junior forward Adama Sanogo also put up a stellar showing, chipping in with 17 points and 10 rebounds to earn him the title of Final Four Most Outstanding Player.

UConn's dominance was evident throughout the game, as they trailed early on but eventually took control to lead by as many as 36-24 at halftime. The Aztecs made some late-game runs, narrowing the deficit to five with just over a minute remaining, but UConn responded with an 11-minute scoring streak that sealed their victory.

The Huskies' confidence was bolstered throughout the season, and head coach Dan Hurley credited his team's collective effort for their success. "We weren't ranked going into the year, so we had the chip on our shoulder," he said in a post-game interview. "We knew the level that we could play at, even through those dark times."

UConn's win marked their sixth tournament game by at least 10 points, with their closest contest coming against the University of Miami in the national semifinals. The Huskies' dominant performance has left many to wonder if they can continue their winning ways for years to come.

For San Diego State, it was a tough defeat, but coach Brian Dutcher praised his team's effort. "We battled back to five in the second half, but gave them too much separation," he said. "A lot had to do with UConn."

The Huskies' victory also marked a special moment for several players on the team, including senior guard Jordan Hawkins and junior forward Adam Seiko. For Hawkins, it was a chance to celebrate not just his own success but also that of his cousin, Angel Reese, who won the women's title the previous day.

UConn enters rarefied air as only the sixth team to win five NCAA men's basketball championships, joining an elite group that includes UCLA, Kentucky, North Carolina, Duke, and Indiana.
 
🏀 I'm so happy for UConn! They've worked so hard all season and it's awesome to see their dedication pay off 🙌. Dan Hurley is a genius coach - he knew how to get the best out of his team even when they weren't ranked 💡. The Huskies have such a strong team culture, it's no wonder they were able to come together like that in the end 👫. And to Tristen Newton and Adama Sanogo, you guys are absolute stars ⭐️! You led your team to victory with such style and class. I'm loving this team's confidence - it's infectious 🤩. Can't wait to see what they do next season 😄
 
omg uconn is on fire!!! 🚀💥 they played so smooth out there and their teamwork was on point 💪👍 dan hurley must be super proud of his team 🙌 i mean, going from not being ranked to winning the whole thing? that's some crazy confidence boost 💯 and congrats to tristen newton and adama sanogo for their amazing performances 🎉👏 san diego state gave it a good fight but uconn was just too strong 🤖 can't wait to see what they do next season 😄
 
yooo woooooo!!! 🎉🏀 UConn is on fire right now! They've got that 5th chip in the bag and I'm loving every minute of it 😂. San Diego State gave them a run for their money but in the end, it was all Huskies all day 🌴. Tristen Newton and Adama Sanogo are straight fire 🔥🔥, I mean have you seen those highlight reels? 🤯

And can we talk about Coach Dan Hurley for a sec? He's been building that team up since he got there and it's amazing to see the results 🙌. The Huskies' confidence was always high, but now they're unstoppable 💪.

I'm also loving how Jordan Hawkins is celebrating with his cousin who won the women's title 🎉👯. That's what it's all about, fam! Family love and basketball pride ❤️. And Congrats to UConn on that 6th tournament game by at least 10 points 🤯. They're setting the bar high for anyone who wants to take them down 🔥.

Let's see how they do next season... 🤔 will they keep it up or take a step back? Only time will tell, but I'm hyped for whatever comes next 🎉👏
 
🏆😎 so u no what's crazy about this? UConn's been around for like 20 yrs now & they're still killin it 🤯. I mean, their coaches are super smart & they got a team that works together seamlessly 💪. Dan Hurley's all about that underdog vibe, and it seems to be payin off 😅. But what's even more impressive is how consistent they've been over the years 📈. They're like the Yankees of college basketball – you know they'll always bring home the hardware every year ⚾️. I'm curious to see if they can keep this up & make it 6 titles 👀
 
OMG I'M SO PUMPED UP FOR UCONN!! 🎉 they finally got their 5th title after years of dominance & it was SO SWEET to see them take down San Diego State in the championship game! Tristen Newton & Adama Sanogo were on FIRE 🔥 with those 19+ points & 10+ rebounds each. Dan Hurley's team effort is everything, especially considering they weren't ranked at the start of the year. UCONN IS THE REAL DEAL 🤑 and now they're in that exclusive club with UCLA, Kentucky, UNC, Duke, & Indiana - talk about elite! 😎
 
omg i'm so hyped for UConn! they totally dominated that game 🤩🏀 and it's amazing to see tristen newton and adama sanogo killing it on the court 💪. dan hurley is straight up a genius coach - giving his team the chip on their shoulder was such a smart move 🙌. i love how the players celebrated together, especially jordan hawkins and adam seiko 😊. uconn's got some serious bragging rights now 👑 and it'll be fascinating to see if they can keep this momentum going 🤔
 
OMG 🤯 UConn is literally unstoppable right now!! They're on top of the world and I'm HERE FOR IT!!! 💥 Their dominance in this tournament has been amazing and it's clear they have a special team chemistry going on. Tristen Newton and Adama Sanogo are absolute studs 🔥 and their teamwork is everything! Coach Dan Hurley must be so proud of his team, I mean, 5th title in 5 years? 🤯 that's insane! And to think, they weren't even ranked at the beginning of the season... talk about having a chip on their shoulder 😤 Can't wait to see what the future holds for these Huskies 👀
 
🏆 UConn's 5th NCAA title is totally deserved 🙌 They played so well, no way San Diego State could match their level ⚽️ Tristen Newton and Adama Sanogo were on fire 🔥 And that halftime lead was just the beginning 💪 Coach Dan Hurley must be so proud of his team for never giving up 🙏 Now they're among the all-time greats 🎉
 
I'm not getting hyped about UConn winning their 5th title just yet 🤔. Don't get me wrong, they played a solid game, but I think the competition was pretty weak compared to what we've seen in recent years. San Diego State was a decent team, but I wouldn't say they were blown out by much. It's also worth noting that UConn hasn't had to face many top-tier opponents in the tournament this year... yet 🚨. Can they keep it up against the stronger teams? I'm not convinced just yet 😐
 
OMG 🤯 this UConn team is on FIRE 🔥 they played so well together it was like a well-oiled machine 💪 I'm loving the squad goals too 👫 senior guard Tristen Newton led the charge with 19 points and 10 rebounds WOW 😲 and that final 11-minute scoring streak sealed the deal 🚪
 
I'm so hyped for UConn but also kinda bummed for San Diego State 🤔💔 their season was on fire! It's crazy how one game can change everything, I feel like it's gonna be tough for them to bounce back from this loss 😞. On the other hand, UConn's got some serious momentum going on - 5th title and all that 🎉👏 I'm rooting for them to keep their winning ways and make history even more 💪. Can't wait to see what the future holds for these talented players! 🤩
 
OMG, this is amazing!!! 🤩 I'm so hyped for UConn! They've been working so hard all season and it's awesome to see them finally get their 5th title 🎉. Tristen Newton and Adama Sanogo were on fire 🔥, and I love how they stuck together as a team. Dan Hurley is the best coach ever 🙌, he really knows how to bring out the best in his players.

And can we talk about how special this moment is for Jordan Hawkins? Winning his first NCAA title with his cousin Angel Reese just winning it all with the women's team 😊, that's amazing! I'm so proud of these Huskies and I know they're gonna keep crushing it for years to come 💪. They're really setting an example for young athletes everywhere about hard work, dedication, and teamwork 🙏.

San Diego State, you guys had a tough loss, but don't be sad 😔, you'll get 'em next time! Coach Dutcher, I love your positivity and sportsmanship 👍. UConn's dominance is seriously inspiring, and I'm so grateful they're killing it on the court 🌟
 
🤔 I'm not entirely convinced by UConn's dominance in this championship game. 36-24 at halftime seems like a huge lead, but it looks like San Diego State made some late-game runs to narrow the deficit to just 5 points with under a minute left. That's not necessarily a reflection of the Aztecs' lack of talent, but more so their team's resilience and ability to bounce back from adversity.

I'd love to see some analysis on how UConn prepared for this matchup and what adjustments they made at halftime to pull away. Their confidence is clearly boosted going into the year, but can they sustain that level of performance over a longer period? 🤷‍♂️
 
man thats crazy they finally get that 5th title after so long uconn is def one of the most successful programs out there dan hurley is a genius for getting them to believe in themselves like he said it was all about having that chip on their shoulder 🤩
 
man this uconn team is straight fire 🔥 they played so smooth throughout the whole game i mean san diego state had some good runs but uconn just kept them at bay 🚫 what's crazy is that it was their 5th title and no one saw it coming they must be doing something right coach dan hurley knew how to get his team pumped up for this big game 💪 i'm loving the confidence on tristen newton and adama sanogo, those guys are stars ⭐
 
Yooo whats good everyone! UConn is straight fire right now, they've got the whole package - talent, depth, and a chip on their shoulder from being unranked at the start of the year 🤯. I mean, San Diego State put up a good fight, but when you're down by 36-24 at halftime, it's tough to mount a comeback 🏃‍♂️. Dan Hurley's got his team in the right mindset and they executed their game plan flawlessly. Now, can they keep this momentum going? I think so! They've got the talent and the experience to make some noise next year 💪. Go Huskies 🐾🏆
 
I'm still trying to wrap my head around UConn winning their fifth NCAA Men's Basketball Title 🤯. I mean, they were underdogs going into the year, but it looks like they had a chip on their shoulder and ran with it. Dan Hurley's coaching has clearly paid off, and it's awesome to see the team come together like this.

What I love about UConn is that they're not just about individual talent – they're a cohesive unit that works together towards a common goal. And it's amazing to see players like Tristen Newton and Adama Sanogo shine on the biggest stage. They deserve all the credit for this win!

I'm also loving how the team celebrated with each other, especially Jordan Hawkins celebrating his cousin Angel Reese's women's title win earlier in the day 🎉. That's what it's all about – camaraderie and support.

UConn's dominance has me wondering if they can keep up their winning ways for years to come... but that's a story for another time 😊. They're now part of an elite group, joining legends like UCLA and North Carolina. What an achievement! 💪
 
I don’t usually comment but I think it’s crazy how far UConn has come since 2014 🤯🏀 They’ve been through some dark times like coach Hurley said but they never gave up on each other. It’s all about teamwork and confidence, you know? And to see them dominate like that in the championship game was just incredible 🎉 I mean, San Diego State put up a good fight, but UConn just had too much firepower 🔥 Can’t wait to see what they do next season 👀
 
OMG I'm so stoked for UConn!!! 🤩 They totally deserved this win after dominating all season 💪 And Tristen Newton and Adama Sanogo are like total bosses on the court 🙌 I love how coach Dan Hurley kept it real about having that chip on their shoulder going into the year 🎯 It's gonna be so cool to see them keep pushing for more wins in the future 📈
 
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