With a 76-59 victory over San Diego State on Monday in Texas, double-doubles from Adama Sanogo and Tristen Newton helped UConn win their seventh NCAA Division title.
With their sixth consecutive victory by double digits, the Huskies completed an outstanding NCAA campaign and kept their perfect 5-0 record in National Championship games. Moreover, it was UConn’s fourth national championship in Texas.
San Diego State finished off a fantastic season by reaching the National Championship game for the first time ever.
Sanogo contributed 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Newton led all scorers with 19 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and two steals. 16 points were contributed by Jordan Hawkins. Sanogo, a big man from Mali, was named the competition’s Most Outstanding Player.
2023 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS ‼️#HU5KIES pic.twitter.com/UV26Jq7Wx0
— UConn Men's Basketball (@UConnMBB) April 4, 2023
The Huskies shot 23-of-53 from the field, along with 24-of-27 from the free-throw line, opening up a 36-24 half-time lead and never looking back.
The Aztecs got within five points at 60-55 with 5:19 left in the second half, but UConn immediately responded with a Hawkins three-pointer.
Keshad Johnson top scored for the Aztecs with 14 points, while Darrion Trammell and Final Four hero Lamont Butler both added 13 points. SDSU shot six-of-23 from three-point range.
Huskies head coach Dan Hurley said: “We knew we were best team in the tournament going in and we just needed to play to our level.”
UConn’s triumph means they draw level with Duke and Indiana for fourth-most all-time in NCAA history, having lifted the title in 1999, 2004, 2011, 2014 and now 2023.
POV: You’re a @UConn student at the #NationalChampionship pic.twitter.com/nylX6N6p9g
— UConn Huskies (@UConnHuskies) April 4, 2023