
Getty Image / Sean M. Haffey
Just nine days ago, UConn trailed Rick Pitino’s Iona at halftime of their first round game in the NCAA Tournament. Now, the Huskies are undoubtedly the hottest team in the country, blew out Gonzaga Saturday 82-54, and are headed back to the Final Four for the first time since they won the national title in 2014.
After a close first half, UConn hit a buzzer-beating three to go up on the Zags 39-32.
UConn buzzer-beating 3 to take a 39-32 lead into halftime! 🏀 #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/UUuO6ZDaYp
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) March 26, 2023
And after that, it was all Huskies. The second half was an exhibition of basketball by UConn and a complete disaster for Gonzaga. But, the game may have been completely different if not for one call. The Zags all-time leading scorer Drew Timme received his fourth foul with seventeen minutes and change left, while the game was still quite competitive. It would be competitive not much longer.
Ref show or good foul call on Drew Timme?
Timme heads to the bench with 4 fouls and 17 minutes to play pic.twitter.com/ffMoKh0E8H
— Barstool Sportsbook (@BSSportsbook) March 26, 2023
And, that was that, as UConn expanded the lead to fifteen, then twenty, and up to thirty points at times. The Huskies turned it into a CLOWNING of the Bulldogs.
UCONN IS ROLLING
pic.twitter.com/YLWbglI5Vc— Barstool Sportsbook (@BSSportsbook) March 26, 2023
Think UConn is having fun? pic.twitter.com/fRLR6uFzJJ
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 26, 2023
Is UConn the best college team ever? pic.twitter.com/tKRLXaFKtc
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) March 26, 2023
Of note, UConn never lost to a team out of conference all year, and their eight losses were in a rugged Big East that could get two teams in the Final Four if Creighton beats San Diego State today. And, they’ve played their best ball since that first half against Iona.
UConn since trailing at half vs. Iona in the first round:
R64 2nd half vs. Iona: +26
R32 vs. St. Mary's: +15
S16 vs. Arkansas: +23
E8 vs. Gonzaga: +28Dominance. Total dominance. The Huskies are heading to Houston! pic.twitter.com/UXQmzDLlob
— Jake Marsh (@PMTsportsbiz) March 26, 2023
Twitter was buzzing about their performance.
UCONN: GREAT
— T3 Bracketology™️🏀 (@TBracketology) March 26, 2023
UConn Basketball so far tonight pic.twitter.com/SfvL6AmOt7
— Pretty Bird (33-0) (Maui and BE Champions) (@Billyfrom4C) March 26, 2023
UConn… I have no words.
Rd 64: 24 point win over (13) Iona
Rd 322: 15 point win over (5) St Mary’s
S16: 23 point win over (8) Arkansas
E8: 28 point win over (3) GonzagaFirst Final 4 since 2014 when they won it all. Bending programs over right now. pic.twitter.com/WjdVdYCTky
— College Basketball Report (@CBKReport) March 26, 2023
Coach Danny Hurley has those boys playing great right now, and they are the Vegas favorites to win it all.