Chasing History Breanna Stewart and company go for four in a row
The Dynasty
UConn's storied women's basketball program has won a NCAA record ten championships in its history, all under coach Geno Auriemma. The Huskies also hold the record for most consecutive championships, most consecutive Elite Eight appearances, most consecutive Final Four appearances, most 30-win seasons, most undefeated seasons, and most consecutive wins spanning from 2008-2010 (it should be noted that they also hold the record for the second and third longest win streaks). Auriemma and his team have created a dynasty. This year with veteran leadership by Breanna Stewart, Morgan Tuck, and Moriah Jefferson, the Huskies hope that they can set a new record, winning an unprecedented four national championships in a row.
Our team at Nutmeg Publishing will be following UConn throughout the tournament. Be sure to check in for updates after each tournament game.
The First Hurdle: The AAC Tournament
After dismantling East Carolina and Tulane in the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds, the Huskies came up against the Bulls of USF. The Bulls gave UConn a battle in Storrs during their regular season matchup. USF led the Huskies 25-24 at the end of the half and it was the first time UConn had been down after the first twenty minutes the entire season. It looked like it could be another close fight after the first quarter of the championship matchup, however the Huskies quickly pulled away and beat USF handedly by a score of 77-51.
Dominating Round One
UConn 101 Robert Morris 49
In the first round of the NCAA tournament, the Huskies faced off against Robert Morris in Gampel Pavilion. The game was essentially over after the first quarter of play where the Huskies scored 41 points, forced 13 turnovers and held Robert Morris to just four points. Freshman Katie Lou Samuelson, playing in her first-ever NCAA tournament game, scored a game high 22 points.
"Those first 10 minutes that is about as a good a way as you can to start a game and start a tournament." - Geno Auriemma
Hustling Through Round Two
UConn 97, Duquesne 51
Early in the second quarter Duquesne trailed by only 3 points and managed to stay in the game by shooting over 60 percent from behind the arc. However, the Huskies would soon gain momentum. After an incredible defensive possession by Breanna Stewart, where she blocked three shots, UConn quickly increased its lead and would never look back.
"That second quarter, we got punched in the face" - Duquesne Head Coach Dan Burt
Morgan Tuck, Moriah Jefferson and Stewart led the way for the Huskies. Tuck and Jefferson each had 20 points and Stewart finished the night with 21 points, 16 rebounds, and 5 blocks.
The Record Breaking Regional
UConn 98, Mississippi State 38
"I even told them during a time out and I never do this, I said man, you guys are really good. I was just caught up in it all." - Geno Auriemma
With a sizable home-town advantage, UConn moved past the Regional Semifinals with ease. Their 60 point win over Mississippi State set a NCAA record for the largest margin of victory in a regional tournament game, surpassing their own record of 51 set last year against Texas in the Sweet 16.
Regional Champions
UConn 86, Texas 65
UConn punched its ticket to the program’s ninth consecutive Final Four in an 86-65 rout of No. 2 Texas in what could easily be considered the team’s most competitive game of the tournament thus far. After some chatter over the weekend regarding the state of the women’s game, the Huskies faced some criticism over the team's historic Sweet Sixteen blowout over Mississippi State. However, both teams left it all out there on the court to quiet the critics, proving that women’s basketball is alive and well.
The Longhorns kept it close in the first quarter, and only found themselves down by five despite a stellar first quarter from Morgan Tuck, who ultimately would finish with a game-high 22 points for the Huskies. UConn pulled away in the second quarter and took a 15-point lead heading into the locker room for halftime. Texas fought aggressively until the end, but nothing could match UConn’s big three of Tuck, Moriah Jefferson and Breanna Stewart, or standout freshman Napheesa Collier, who contributed nine points to the win. The lead only increased, and the Huskies ran away with a 21-point victory. Jefferson and Tuck made the Regional All-Tournament team while Stewart walked away with Most Outstanding Player honors. Next stop: Indianapolis.
Day 1: Open Practice
Inside Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, UConn held an open practice for fans in attendance on Saturday afternoon. In just one day, the team will take on the Oregon State Beavers in the Final Four matchup. As head coach Geno Auriemma discussed in the press conference prior to practice, there is a lot that accompanies this weekend that is not focused on basketball or preparation for the game. The team had a dinner at the Indy racetrack just the night before, and right after practice went straight into an autograph session and its scheduled media events. Despite all of this, the players made it clear that they are all focused on the task at hand: making sure this isn’t the last game on their schedule.
Before the day ended, UConn players and coaches received word of prestigious honors. Moriah Jefferson won the Nancy Lieberman Award for the second-straight year. Breanna Stewart won her third-straight AP Player of the Year Award by a unanimous decision, which has never happened before. It also marks the only time that a player has won three of these awards. Morgan Tuck, Stewart and Jefferson all received WCBA All-American Honors. Last but not least, Auriemma won AP Coach of the Year, in which he noted during his press conference that it felt different this year. He showed a rare side of emotion that many have never seen before, especially while crediting longtime Assistant Coach Chris Dailey.
It certainly does feel different this year. Maybe it’s because UConn is the only No.1 seed remaining in the tournament. Maybe it’s because the program is on the brink of history. One thing is for sure- Sunday night’s game will be one of UConn’s best matchups of the tournament, and dominating or not, it’s going to be one exciting game to watch.
"I think they have been the blueprint. I mean, who doesn't want to do what they're doing?" -Oregon State Head Coach Scott Ruek
One Step Closer
UConn 80, Oregon State 51
After topping Oregon State 80-51, the largest margin of victory in NCAA Semifinal history, UConn is headed to its fourth-straight national championship title game. Morgan Tuck led the way with a game-high 21 points, but head coach Geno Auriemma noted how tonight truly was a total team win.
Tuck got out to a hot start, but Breanna Stewart struggled in the first quarter after she picked up two quick fouls early. That didn’t matter for the Huskies, who got all-around efforts from Moriah Jefferson, Gabby Williams and Kia Nurse during a blowout second quarter where UConn outscored Oregon State 21-9. This run propelled UConn to a 21-point lead at halftime.
Oregon State never quit playing. Senior Ruth Hamblin and junior Sydney Wiese combined for 23 of Oregon’s 51 points. However, UConn’s defense was absolutely swarming. Stewart also got things going in the second half, which paced the Huskies to another historic blowout.
UConn will take on the winner of tonight’s Syracuse vs. Washington game. They are one step closer to eleven.
The Stage Is Set
There's just one thing left for the Huskies to do, and that is to write an ending to this perfect story.
"We're exactly in the position that we want to be in," -Breanna Stewart on the title game.
Once Syracuse topped Washington on Sunday night, it made it hard to wonder if tonight's game could have possibly been scripted any better. Not only will the Huskies continue their quest for history against a longtime school rival, but for Stewart, this means potentially capping off a four-peat against her hometown.
As both teams prepare for what's to come tonight in Indianapolis, let's take a look at UConn's road to get to this title game. Every player has been consistent. The big three of Stewart, Morgan Tuck and Moriah Jefferson seems more dominant than ever the bigger the stage is. Kia Nurse has made her presence felt on the defensive end and drilled key shots during big team runs. Gabby Williams and Napheesa Collier both make immediate impacts coming off the bench. Even without freshman starter and three-point threat Katie Lou Samuelson, there is no reason for that to make anybody think the Orange might have it easier tonight. And why is that? Because this UConn team knows how to play together. They know that if one of their players is off, they need to step up and have her back. Each of them has a crystal clear understanding of her role on the court, and they don't try to do too much. Sure, this group has some of the most talented players in the country, but it's possible to have all of that talent and not have a clue how to play as one entity, one team. What makes them so great is that they mesh.
With just about two hours until tipoff, the realizations are kicking in. Tonight could be the night that sports history is made. Tonight could set the bar for unparalleled greatness. Tonight, an ending to this perfect season will be written.
Veni Vidi Vici
UConn wins fourth consecutive and eleventh overall national championship with an 82-51 victory over Syracuse
They came, they saw, they conquered, and with that they made history with an 82-51 win over Syracuse to win the 2016 national championship title, led by Breanna Stewart's 24 points and 10 rebounds.
Stewart said when she came to UConn that she wanted to win four national championships, and her fellow freshmen teammates agreed. No player in collegiate men's or women's basketball has ever accomplished this feat. But now, three of the country's greatest, Stewart, Moriah Jefferson and Morgan Tuck, can say that they have. Stewart is also the first in men's or women's history to win four consecutive Most Outstanding Player honors. If that wasn't enough, head coach Geno Auriemma has surpassed the legendary John Wooden in amount of national championships won in the sport with 11.
"He pushed us to levels we didn't know we could reach or play at," Senior Breanna Stewart on Auriemma
Syracuse never had a lead in the contest. UConn hit the ground running in the first quarter behind ten points from Stewart. It took the Orange four minutes to get on the board. Jefferson ended the quarter with an unbelievable three-point shot at the buzzer to give the Huskies a 28-13 advantage.
The UConn defense created lots of problems for Syracuse, who had trouble scoring at the start of the second quarter. Kia Nurse (9 points, 5 rebounds) helped the Huskies go on a run and close out the half with a 50-23 lead.
During the second half, Syracuse's swarming press gave the Huskies a run for their money. The Orange went on a dominating 16-0 run, but couldn't cut the overwhelming lead enough that the Huskies built in the first half. Freshman Napheesa Collier stepped up to end the scoring drought for the UConn, which included yet another buzzer-beating shot.
"You need to break through the finish line, not stumble across it," -Head Coach Geno Auriemma
The Orange still troubled UConn with its press, but the Huskies stayed cool under pressure, knowing they only had ten minutes left to seal the deal. Sophomore Gabby Williams, who started in place of the injured Katie Lou Samuelson, came up big in the fourth quarter. She ended with nine points and eight rebounds. Auriemma pulled the big three with a minute and a half left in the game, and the four embraced knowing that they were seconds away from perfection. A highlight of the quarter was senior walk-on Briana Pulido nailed a shot from the corner with time winding down on the clock to push the end score to 82-51.
Emotions were high for the team, and nobody could hide their smiles during the trophy presentation thanks to the antics of the "Big Three". Auriemma explained during his television interview that the team's motto this year was "veni, vidi, vici", and at this point in time, there was nothing left to conquer, because they had done it all- a spotless 38-0 record and another national championship to show for it. A perfect ending to an indescribable story.
"They've left an imprint on this game that's going to last a really long time" Auriemma on Stewart, Tuck and Jefferson