STORRS, Conn. — Heads up, Connecticut, March Madness is upon us! And what a time it is to be a UConn Huskies basketball fan.
In the history of this storied program, perhaps no UConn Men’s basketball team has entered March Madness with more momentum than the 2023-2024 squad, although the 34-2 1998-1999 national champions might beg to differ…
With victories over seven top 20 teams, the 31-3 Huskies won both the Big East regular season and tournament championships in the same year for the first time since 1999. The Huskies earned the NCAA Tournament’s top overall seed for the first time in program history, and it is the sixth time they are seeded on the No. 1 line.
As a result, UConn has the luxury of playing close to home in the East Region.
The team’s first two games will be played at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., while Sweet 16 and Elite 8 action will occur at TD Garden in Boston if they advance. If the reigning national champions survive the region, they will play in the Final Four at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
It will not be easy for UConn to win consecutive national championships and the sixth in program history. The University of Florida was the most recent team to go back-to-back in 2006 and 2007.
The Huskies begin their title defense against Stetson on Friday, March 22 at 2:45 p.m.
Round of 64 opponent:
Stetson Hatters (16)
UConn begins tournament play on Friday against the 22-12 Stetson Hatters, who won the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament.
With a school record of 22 wins, the Hatters are heading to the NCAA Tournament for the first time. Coached by Donnie Jones, who previously led UCF and Marshall and is also making his first trip to March Madness, Stetson is a 26.5-point underdog against UConn, according to the Action Network.
Led by junior guard Jalen Blackmon, who averages 21.5 points per game, Stetson features four players averaging double figures in scoring. Stetson is no stranger to playing teams the caliber of UConn; earlier this season, the Hatters lost 79-48 to No. 1 seed Houston.
Possible Round of 32 opponents:
Florida Atlantic (8)
Coming off a Final Four run in 2022-2023, the eighth-seeded Florida Atlantic Owls look to replicate last year’s success. Led by head coach Dusty May, one of the hottest coaching prospects in the country, the 25-8 Owls finished second in the American Athletic Conference before being upset in conference tournament play by 11th seeded Temple.
Florida Atlantic will look to avenge its early conference tournament exit with another deep run in March Madness. If UConn matches up with FAU, 7-2 center Donovan Clingan will have his hands full with 7-1 center Vladislav Goldin, who averaged 16.2 points per game this season. Guard Johnell Davis averaged 18.2 points per game as well and will be sure to keep UConn’s guards busy on the perimeter.
Northwestern (9)
Another potential draw for UConn in the Round of 32 is the Northwestern Wildcats, who finished 21-11 and are making their third NCAA Tournament in school history, including a second consecutive appearance after advancing to the Round of 32 last year.
Led by All-Big Ten First Team guard Boo Buie, who averaged 19.2 points and 5.1 assists per game and shot 44.3% from a three-point range this year, the ‘Cats will look to knock off the overall one seed and advance further than last year. Forward Brooks Barnhizer, named to the All-Big Ten Third Team and as an All-Defense nominee, will look to give UConn forward Alex Karaban problems in a potential matchup.
Possible Sweet 16 matchups:
Auburn (4)
UConn is no stranger to Auburn, after defeating them in a double overtime classic in the 2021 Paradise Jam. While the players have changed, Auburn Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl will look to avenge the loss. Pearl is familiar with March success, having led the Tigers to the 2019 Final Four.
Last week, the Tigers (27-7) won their third Southeastern Conference Tournament championship, defeating three NCAA tournament teams. They hope to carry the success into March Madness. If Auburn matches up with UConn in the Sweet 16, the Huskies must be on alert for All-SEC First Team forward Johni Broome, who averaged 16.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, leading Auburn in both categories. He was also named to the All-SEC Defensive Team. All-SEC Second Team forward Jaylin Williams also averaged 12.9 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.
San Diego State (5)
One year after defeating the San Diego State Aztecs in the national championship game, UConn could see a rematch in the Sweet 16. Looking to replicate last year’s March success, the Aztecs (24-10) are led by forward Jaedon LeDee, who led the team with 21.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per game in 2023-2024, en route to becoming a First-Team All-Mountain West honoree.
San Diego State also has guard Lamont Butler, the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year and a member of the league’s all-defensive team for a third consecutive season. On April 3, 2023, UConn defeated the Aztecs 76-59 for the Huskies’ fifth national title. The Aztecs are likely hoping for revenge in the Sweet 16.
UAB (12)
Champions of the American Athletic Conference Tournament, the UAB Blazers carry a 23-11 record and a five-game winning streak into the NCAA Tournament. Forward Yaxel Lendeborg led the team in points and rebounds per game with 13.9 and 10.7 respectively. While it is a long shot the Blazers will face UConn in the Sweet 16, Lendeborg is a player who could give the Huskies problems, as are guards Eric Gaines and Alejandro Vasquez, who averaged 12.2 and 11.3 points per game respectively.
Yale (13)
A Yale vs. Connecticut matchup in the Sweet 16 would be a dream come true for many of the state’s basketball fans. After winning the Ivy League Conference Tournament with an all-time buzzer beater against Brown last weekend, the Bulldogs carry momentum into March Madness. Forward Danny Wolf, who led Yale with 14.3 points and 9.8 rebounds per game, was a unanimous selection to the All-Ivy League Team, while guard Bez Mbeng was the league’s Defensive Player of the Year.
RELATED: March Madness features several NBA prospects. But they likely won't get drafted among 1st few picks
Possible Elite 8 matchups:
Iowa State (2)
The Iowa State Cyclones are Connecticut’s toughest challenge in the East Region. Last weekend, Iowa State routed then No. 1 Houston, a one seed in the NCAA tournament, 69-41 to win the Big 12 Conference Tournament and score their second victory over the Cougars this season. With a record of 27-7, no team wants to face Iowa State this March, and that includes UConn.
Led by All-Big 12 First Team guard Tamin Lipsey, who averaged 12.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 2.8 steals on the season, Iowa State also boasts guard Keshon Gilbert, who led the team in scoring with 13.8 points per game while registering 4.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists per contest. While the selection committee seeded Iowa State as the eighth best team in the country, many experts believed the Cyclones were worthy of a one seed entering Selection Sunday.
Illinois (3)
En route to the Big Ten Tournament championship, Illinois scored 98 and 93 points respectively against NCAA Tournament teams Nebraska and Wisconsin. In the victory over Nebraska, guard Terrence Shannon Jr. scored a Big Ten Tournament record of 40 points for the Fighting Illini, who enter March Madness with a 26-8 record.
Shannon Jr. led the team in scoring with 23 points per game and earned First Team All-Big Ten recognition. In March, high-scoring guards have been known to put their teams on their backs. UConn fans who watched Kemba Walker and Shabazz Napier win NCAA titles know this. If both UConn and Illinois advance, Shannon Jr. is not a player that UConn fans want to see in the regional final.
BYU (6)
With a record of 23-10, the BYU Cougars earned an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament. Led by guard Jaxson Robinson, who is averaging 13.8 points per game, the Cougars are looking to reach their first Final Four. If BYU reaches the Elite 8, it would be the fourth time in team history. UConn and BYU have history in March Madness, as UConn defeated the Cougars 58-53 in the Round of 64 in 2003.
Washington State (7)
With a record of 24-9, the Washington State Cougars finished second in the final season of the Pac-12 Conference, missing out on the regular season crown by one game. Carried by All-Pac 12 forward Isaac Jones, who led the team in points and rebounds per game with 15.4 and 7.4 respectively, Washington State can do damage in the tournament, especially if Pac-12 Freshman of the Year Myles Rice, a guard, gets hot from the field.
Drake (10)
The Drake Bulldogs captured an NCAA Tournament birth by winning the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. At 28-6, the Bulldogs feature star guard Tucker DeVries, who led the team with 21.8, 3.6 assists and 1.6 points per game. The back-to-back Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year could quickly become a headache for opponents when the tournament begins.
Duquesne (11)
The Duquesne Dukes ride high into the NCAA Tournament, coming off an unexpected Atlantic 10 Tournament championship. Entering March Madness for the first time since 1977, the 24-11 Dukes look to make their return to the dance memorable. If Duquesne puts on its Cinderella shoes and advances to the Elite 8, the team surely hopes it will not face the Huskies.
Morehead State (14)
The Morehead State Eagles, winners of the Ohio Valley Conference, enter March Madness with a record of 26-8. Led by guard Riley Minix, who averaged 20.8 points and 9.8 rebounds this season, the Eagles look to shock the world this March. Minix, the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year, could be a tough matchup when tournament play begins.
South Dakota State (15)
Champions of the Summit League Conference Tournament, the South Dakota State Jackrabbits finished 22-12 and won the league’s regular season championship as well. Led by guard Zeke Mayo, averaging 18.8 points per game, the Jackrabbits will look to become a rare 15 seed to advance out of the Round of 64.
Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
---
Do you have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com.
----
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.
