STORRS, Conn. — UConn Nation was back in a basketball frenzy on Friday night at the annual tradition of First Night, with the hype of the men's basketball team's fifth national championship still in memory.
"Best time of the year. Best time of the year at UConn. We’ve been talking about it literally all day," said sophomores Luciana Auteri and Elizabeth Batman.
Students were ready for the Huskies to take the college basketball world by storm yet again.
"Repeats that’s what I’m hoping for," said Anthony Fabricatore, a freshman.
"I have a lot of hope for this incoming team," said freshman Aiden McMahon.
First Night is a tradition to kick off the season and get fans and the teams excited for what’s to come.
Starting off with a block party before introducing the players that will hopefully lead UConn to another title.
"It’s a fun night for them as well. They get a kick out of performing and this is just a performance for them," said Women's Basketball Head Coach Geno Auriemma.
"It’s a wake-up call too you know. First time people are walking through Gampel and it’s a little bit cold out you know winter’s coming and then you feel the electricity," said Men's Basketball Head Coach Dan Hurley.
The electricity buzzed through Gampel Pavillion Friday night as the players showed off their skills on the brand new court that now lets everyone know Storrs is the basketball capital of the world.
"It’s accurate. If it was like delusional or inaccurate I may have been against it but the success on both sides with the national championships in recent history," Hurley said.
"That’s what our fans say, that’s what we always say so if you’re gonna say it then do it and we did," Auriemma said.
It’s what some students say makes UConn so special.
"I would say that was a big part of my decision to come here, and I’m so glad that I came here," Batman said.
"I grew up watching UConn basketball so it’s like a dream come true being here in this atmosphere it’s really great," Fabricatore said.
Fans said this season will be no different.
"It’s like no other campus honestly," Auteri said.
Gaby Molina is a reporter and anchor at FOX61 News. She can be reached at mmolina@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
---
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.