The UConn Huskies
Connecticut has now won four national championships in men’s basketball.
By defeating Kentucky tonight in a battle that really was in question until the last minute — who out there didn’t think that the Wildcats had it in them to hit two three-pointers to tie it and send it into overtime? — the Huskies won the big prize in just the second season under the leadership of Kevin Ollie.
Any follower of Syracuse basketball in these parts knows how tough UConn was under veteran coach Jim Calhoun.
They looked just as nasty tonight under former player Ollie.
Syracuse fans might indeed be jealous.
The Orange has one national championship under Jim Boeheim.
Yes, Syracuse rightly is considered in the top echelon of men’s college basketball. The Carrier Dome rocks. The Orange carries an aura, a swagger, the ability to start a season 25-0. They also owned the collapse that turned the first season in the Atlantic Coast Conference a tad sour, what with a first-round ACC Tournament loss to North Carolina State and second-round ouster from the NCAA Tournament by Dayton.
At the start of this season, meanwhile, Connecticut was the team left behind. The ACC picked Syracuse and Pittsburgh to come over this season, and Louisville to replace Maryland next season.
The Huskies sure would have loved an invitation, too, the story line goes. Instead, they battled in the new American Athletic Conference this year with the likes of Memphis and Louisville one last season.
Tonight, as fans dance in the streets of Storrs, Conn., I’m wondering what the reaction is down in the ACC hub of North Carolina.
Should the league presidents have invited Connecticut to join the ACC?
Did you enjoy tonight’s national championship game? Do you think another power conference might come knocking on Connecticut’s door now?
Mark Bialczak 
as you know, i was all for ky in this one, but it was a good game and uconn deserved the win. here’s to next year and a better bracket of picks!
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I enjoyed the game and was pleased with the outcome, too. I think they worked hard and deserved the win! You showed us more details, while I was starting to fade in my attention, due to sleepiness, not boredom. Thanks, Mark!
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It was a good one. Kept me awake to the end, although the game had help from the loud rain and thunder-and-lightning storm that descended upon Syracuse late last night too, Robin. Thanks!
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I did not, but am positive my son did.
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Yes, I bet he thought it was a good game, too, unless he really wanted Kentucky to win, laflor.
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I was amazed that KY started 5 freshmen~ Good on the Huskies.
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Kentucky has a reputation for one-and-done players under coach Calipari, Anne. UConn’s experience won out over oodles of raw talent this time around.
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You are younger than me but not terribly. . . do you remember when it was always KY and WVA who won? What has happened to WVA? Seems as if they have fallen off the earth. . . . .
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I don’t recall West Virginia being a world beater like Kentucky, Anne. But in general, coaches changed, WVA changed leagues … stuff happens to all but a top few programs.
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I just looked it up…guess I was thinking about Jerry West….they played and lost some championship games and won a couple. One in 42 which is older than me, thank you very much!
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I did know that Jerry West was a Mountaineer, but I also was sure that you are way younger than he, Anne!
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Ha, ha. . . .you are right. I was just a baby!
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And Kentucky sighs…
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Kentucky will get there again soon with a whole new cast of freshmen, Audrey. But sighing is allowed tonight.
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Tis a good thing I wanted them to lose…they beat out my “little KSU team that could”…(not a shocker)
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Yup. KSU and also the Shockers from Wichita State, Audrey.
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Yea, them too. Thank god its baseball season!!! Go Cards!! ☆☆☆
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Oh, you do have a good baseball team. I am a Mets fan. Not so good of late, Audrey.
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One of my closest buddies in college, Mikey, from Brooklyn was a Giants and Mets fan. I can rally behind the Mets for you any time you need.
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I may have to tap into that offer this season, Audrey. I go Mets-Jets, even though I, like Mikey, am originally from Brooklyn.
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I’ll be close by so hearing the cry for uniting should be doable, Mark. Hey, very cool. I know you know all the Jewish guys named Michael Davis. He is a great guy. Met him at K-State. Dr in History now.
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Oh, that Mikey! Good one, Audrey.
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Imfamous bugger for sure…
Night, Mark 🙂
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Just watched the game! Wow!
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It was an intense one, Cindy. Very enjoyable.
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