UConn is just a short metro ride from the arena where players and fans already feel comfortable when the program begins its national title defense on Friday.
The Huskies earned the No. 1 overall seed for the first time in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday and will play No. 16 Stetson at Barclays Center after winning the Big East title at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.
UW’s path back to the national championship game will be a little different than last year, when they won it all as the No. 4 seed in the West.
Not only will the Huskies be able to play close to home, just 139 miles from their campus in Storrs, Conn., but they will also begin to ride a strong showing in the Big East Tournament.
“We definitely feel lighter, and I think our staff and players do too,” Huskies coach Dan Hurley said. he told the Hartford Courant. “Playing at UConn is tough. I don’t even know if flying under the radar is an advantage, because when you’re in a program that flies under the radar, you end up with pressure points. Because we’re going to get to the big game.
“The beauty of playing and coaching at UConn is that the expectations are so high that there’s always pressure on us. So I think we’re handling the pressure pretty well right now going into the NCAA Tournament. And compared to last year. We did the same thing and had a great season this year, so I think we have confidence.”
The Post has you covered with a printable NCAA bracket featuring the entire 68-team field for March Madness 2024.
UW lost in the Big East semifinals last year, but went on to earn the No. 4 seed in the West and beat Iona State, St. Mary’s State, Arkansas State, Miami State and San Diego State to win the national title.
If UW defeats Stetson, which entered this year’s NCAA Tournament with the program’s first automatic bid following the Sun Belt Conference title, the Huskies will face either last year’s Cinderella at Florida Atlantic or Northwestern on Sunday. I will do it.
“Obviously, if we don’t play with our identity, we’re going to be as vulnerable as any other team in the country,” Hurley said.
UW could become the first program to repeat as national champions since the University of Florida did it in 2006 and 2007, and it would be the first time since 2006 for the Huskies to finish the season undefeated at home. It will be the end of an impressive year.
