The UConn men and women have created countless memories through the madness of March and onto the championships won in April. Each day between now and the men’s and women’s Final Fours next month, The Courant will look back through our archives and highlight a memorable men’s and/or women’s game that occurred on that date. Today:
2023: UConn 76, San Diego State 59
One of the most dominant runs in recent NCAA Tournament memory culminated with a commanding win in the national title game, as the Huskies crushed San Diego State for Dan Hurley’s first national title. Tristen Newton had 19 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists, Adama Sanogo added 17 points and 10 boards, and UConn capped off a wire-to-wire tournament performance that would only be topped the following year, when they won it all in even more convincing fashion.
Also on this Date: UConn erased a double-digit deficit to storm back and beat Duke in the ’04 national semis, winning 79-78. Ben Gordon and Emeka Okafor each scored 18, with Okafor scoring all of his in the second half thanks to first-half foul trouble. His winning basket with 25.9 seconds left capped a 12-3 UConn run to finish it out.
Our readers weigh in
1990, ’95: Becoming a fan of both teams: “I became a UConn men’s basketball fan in 1990 when Tate George made his famous shot that spawned The Courant headline ‘It’s late, it’s great, it’s Tate.’ And I became a UConn women’s basketball fan in 1995, when Rebecca Lobo and team beat Pat Summit’s Tennessee Volunteers. Two UConn sports memories that are indelibly burned into my memory!”
— John Montalbano, Middletown
Share a memory
What’s your favorite UConn March Madness memory? Whether you were in the stands or on your couch, tell us the Husky hoops story that you’re always sharing with your friends and family. We’ll take a look at our responses and run some of the best in print and online. Remember, brevity is always best, so keep it short and sweet. Send your thoughts to sports@courant.com and be sure to include your name and town.
