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:
Women
March 19, 2018 — UConn 71, Quinnipiac 46: It’s not often that one coach in the Sweet 16 has a picture of himself openly rooting for his opponent the year before. But that’s what happened here as Geno Auriemma’s Huskies faced No. 9 seed Quinnipiac, which had won at least game in the NCAAs for the second straight year. In 2017, Tricia Fabbri‘s Bobcats went on a stirring Sweet 16 run, knocking off Marquette and Miami (FL) before falling to top-seeded South Carolina in the regional semis.
QU beat Miami again in the first round in ’18 to set up the showdown with the Huskies. But Napheesa Collier (23 points, 8 rebounds) was way too much this time around as UConn cruised past their CT counterparts and on to the Sweet 16.
Men
March 19, 2023 — UConn 70, St. Mary’s 55: Remember when Dan Hurley was being criticized because he couldn’t win the big one? As absurd as it sounds now, the Huskies head coach had some doubters after he took UConn to the NCAA Tournament in 2021 and ’22, and lost in the first round each time.
That’s why this 2023 second round game was so important for the future Hall of Famer. His UConn team had beaten Rick Pitino and Iona in Round 1– after trailing at the half– but needed to beat St. Mary’s to reach the Sweet 16 for the first time in his career.
Behind 24 points Adama Sanogo and 12 from Jordan Hawkins, UConn did just that, shaking off a sluggish start and a one-point halftime lead to cruise past St. Mary’s, 70-55.
“It was just the happiest locker room you could’ve ever seen,” a then-freshman Alex Karaban said. “I was sitting next to Andre (Jackson) when Coach was talking and I was like, ‘We really in the Sweet 16.’ We just started laughing at each other with so much joy, it’s still an unreal feeling right now.”
It got more unreal as things went on, as the Huskies never looked back from there, dominating each of their next four games to win the national title in convincing fashion.
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.
