UConn Basketball

Not every part of the parade honoring the UConn men's basketball team's national championship was something to celebrate.

At least not for U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal.

The Democrat revealed Saturday that he suffered a fractured femur when "a fellow parade goer tripped & fell on me during the parade today."

What can I say, I love a parade! Thanks to Chris & everyone for the well wishes. I did indeed fracture my femur after a fellow parade goer tripped & fell on me during the parade today. Routine surgery tomorrow just to make sure everything heals properly. I expect a full recovery! https://t.co/LhUGUCIple

— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) April 9, 2023

The next day, he tweeted that he underwent successful surgery for the "minor fracture" and began physical therapy.

The Associated Press noted that video revealed a man who was walking backward while carrying a camera bumped into Blumenthal, causing both to fall to the street. While the senator suffered the injury, he did finish the parade route.

It was something of a rare mishap for anything involving the Huskies.

After all, they steamrolled their way to a fifth national championship with double-digit victories in all six of their NCAA tournament games. Most were never in doubt throughout the majority of the contests, although San Diego State cut a daunting deficit to as few as five in the final six minutes of the national championship game.

To UConn's credit, it closed the game on a 16-4 run to secure the straightforward 76-59 victory.

Adama Sanogo (17 points and 10 rebounds) and Tristen Newton (19 points and 10 rebounds) each notched double-doubles in the win and helped their side overcome a strong San Diego State defense that propelled the Aztecs to within one game of their first national title in program history.

UConn figures to be among the nation's strongest teams again next season and will attempt to defend its crown.

If it does, Blumenthal will surely be more careful at the next parade.

UConn center Donovan Clingan announced Saturday that he will return to school for his sophomore season in 2023-24.

Running it back! pic.twitter.com/OkpVvYfdvj

— Donovan Clingan (@clingan_donovan) April 8, 2023

The 7'2" big man was a key figure in the Huskies' run to a national title last season as they ran through the NCAA tournament and defeated San Diego State 76-59 in Monday night's National Championship Game.

Jeff Goodman of Stadium tweeted that NBA general managers and executives he spoke to projected that Clingan would have been selected somewhere between the Nos. 25 and 40 overall picks in the 2023 NBA draft had he declared.

In his first season of college basketball, Clingan didn't play huge minutes, but he was impactful whenever he was on the court.

Appearing in 39 games, Clingan averaged 6.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 13.1 minutes per contest.

He had four double-doubles on the season, and his best performance in the NCAA tourney came during an 87-63 win over Iona in the first round when he registered 12 points, nine rebounds and two blocks.

Clingan played only 10 minutes in the national championship game, but he made them count, producing four points, three boards, two steals, one block and one assist.

After starring at Bristol Central High School in Bristol, Connecticut, Clingan opted to stay close to home by committing to play for the Huskies. Per 247Sports, he was a 4-star recruit and the No. 56 overall prospect in the 2022 class.

Despite only ranking eighth on the team in minutes per game, Clingan led the Huskies in blocks last season, and was third in rebounding and fifth in scoring.

Jordan Hawkins, who was the Huskies' No. 2 scorer in 2022-23 with 16.2 points per game, declared for the 2023 draft on Friday.

Leading scorer Adama Sanogo has yet to announce his decision, but if he declares for the draft as well, it would vault Clingan into position to be one of UConn's top producers next season.

That would likely improve Clingan's draft stock significantly and perhaps even push him into the lottery conversation.

Since Clingan only got to showcase a small portion of what he is capable of during his freshman season, returning for at least one more year is perhaps the best move for his NBA future.

Fresh off of helping lead UConn to its fifth national title Monday night, Huskies guard Jordan Hawkins announced Friday that he's entering the upcoming NBA draft.

Hawkins, 20, went on ESPN's NBA Today and told Malika Andrews about his decision while reflecting on his outstanding collegiate career.

"Hearing my name called on draft night will be a blessing," Hawkins said. "I worked so hard for this. Me and my dad, we've been through so much.

"When I first stepped on campus in Storrs, I was a little kid, just 160 pounds. I didn't know the college game. Coach [Dan] Hurley threw me into the fire. He guided me through it. It means the world for me having him, having this opportunity. He told me sophomore year I need to step my game up, make a name for myself. It's amazing what we did together as a team."

He made the appearance alongside UConn coach Dan Hurley.

UConn sophomore and National Champion Jordan Hawkins has declared for the 2023 NBA Draft.

(via NBA Today) pic.twitter.com/2cPaNcp5vZ

— ESPN (@espn) April 7, 2023

Hawkins enters the draft following a terrific sophomore season for the Huskies in which he was second on the team in points per game at 16.2 while also grabbing 3.8 rebounds and dishing out 1.3 assists per game.

He was also the team's best shot-maker, knocking down 38.8 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc on high volume.

It was from the three-point line that Hawkins really helped his draft stock as he was scorching-hot during his team's run to the NCAA championship. He made 21-of-42 three-pointers as the Huskies won all their tournament games by double digits.

Hawkins finished with 16 points in the national title game against San Diego State despite dealing with a stomach bug he came down with days before.

In Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman's most recent NBA mock draft, he has the All-Big East selection as a borderline lottery pick, going to the New Orleans Pelicans at No. 17 overall.

Wasserman raved about Hawkins' shooting ability, saying that he's perhaps the top shot-maker in this year's draft class.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont apparently isn't a big fan of the city of Houston.

"After winning the semifinals, you walk around downtown Houston, which is butt-ugly," he told WPLR-FM's Chaz and AJ show this week (h/t Associated Press). "Not much there."

Lamont, who visited the city during the UConn men's basketball team's run to the national championship, appeared to walk back his comments somewhat on Thursday.

"We had a ball in Houston during the NCAA Final Four," he said. "The people there were incredibly gracious and welcoming for us, and the basketball game was pretty darn good as well."

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner understandably didn't appreciate Lamont's initial comments, wondering why the governor was "throwing shade" after his city went out of its way to "feed you, dine you, host you, house you."

"And you're going to go back and talk about 'butt-ugly?'" Turner added. "Which end was he looking from?"

UConn beat San Diego State in the championship game, 76-59.

The UConn Huskies claimed their fifth national championship in program history on Monday night, and now it's time to celebrate.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont announced that the city of Hartford will host a victory parade for the champs on Saturday, April 8 starting at 11:30 a.m. ET. The champs will begin at the state Capitol building and proceed through downtown Hartford before culminating with a rally outside of the XL Center where players and coaches will give celebration speeches.

Fans can check local listings for television information. No live stream details had been made available as of Tuesday evening.

"The UConn Huskies men's basketball team has been a dominating force in the NCAA tournament, and it will be an honor for us to welcome the coaches and the players to downtown Hartford and give them the celebration they deserve," Lamont said. "I am strongly encouraging the residents of Connecticut to come to the parade and show the Huskies how proud we are and how much this team means to our state."

UConn defeated San Diego State 76-59 in Monday's championship game. The Huskies won all six of their tournament games by a margin of 10 or more points, dominating their competition on the way to the title.

"We're thrilled to welcome the five-time national champion UConn Huskies and everyone in Husky Nation to Hartford this weekend, to celebrate a dominant and historic season," mayor Luke Bronin said. "The City of Hartford is proud to host another victory parade, and our team is working closely with the University of Connecticut, the Hartford Downtown Improvement District, and the Governor's office to make Saturday a great day for Connecticut."

Fans of the Huskies will surely relish in another championship and celebrate to the fullest on Saturday.

Fifteen people were charged with crimes and 16 people were injured Monday night at celebrations following the University of Connecticut's national championship victory

"A small number chose to risk their safety and that of others by vandalizing or destroying property after the game," UConn spokesperson Stephanie Reitz said in a statement. "UConn Police will investigate the vandalism and other potential criminal offenses that occurred. Those responsible will face arrest and, if they are students, sanctions up to and including expulsion."

None of the people taken to the hospital were seriously injured.

The damage included broken light poles, broken glass in windows of on-campus buildings, a vandalized student union door, one vehicle being turned on its side and fires set in trash dumpsters.

Several viral social media posts showed students raucously celebrating on campus in the immediate aftermath of the Huskies' 76-59 victory over San Diego State. The win is the fifth men's national championship in school history.

On-campus celebrations often lead to property damage in the aftermath of major sporting events, though students who are punished for their actions often end up regretting them.

UConn men's basketball head coach Dan Hurley had a few reasons to celebrate Monday night.

For one, his Huskies won the national championship, beating San Diego State convincingly, 76-59.

But he also earned a $150,000 bonus with the victory, according to USA Today's Steve Berkowitz:

UConn wins NCAA men’s championship over San Diego State, and Huskies coach Dan Hurley will pick up $150,000 bonus.

He ends season with $500,000 in bonuses (with $100,000 more possible, at AD’s discretion) to go with 2-year contract extension and additional $100,000 raise.

— Steve Berkowitz (@ByBerkowitz) April 4, 2023

Hurley earned himself a pretty penny in bonuses, but he wasn't the top earner in college basketball in that regard. That distinction belonged to Tennessee's Rick Barnes, who raked in $700,000 in bonuses, per Berkowitz.

Hurley will assuredly be happy with his lucrative payday to go along with the national title he now has on his resume, the fifth in the history of the UConn men's basketball program.

Adama Sanogo had a superb March, leading UConn to a national championship with Monday's 76-59 win over San Diego State.

So it was hardly a surprise when he was named the men's NCAA tournament's Most Outstanding Player.

Sanogo put up 17 points and 10 boards in the title game, his fourth double-double of the tourney. In total he averaged 19.6 points and 9.8 rebounds across six tournament games in UConn's run to its fifth national championship, all since 1999.

SANOGO SAYS NO ❌ @UConnMBB pic.twitter.com/XL8WDdp7J3

— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) April 4, 2023

Sanogo with the tough putback 😤 @UConnMBB pic.twitter.com/MmKSgZQhcg

— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) April 4, 2023

For the fifth time in 25 seasons, UConn has won the national championship.

The Huskies won EVERY game against non-con foes this season by double digits and by an average of 24+ points. INSANE.

It's one of the most dominant title sprints in history.

A Connecticut coronation.

— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) April 4, 2023

Think UConn built basically a perfect modern college basketball team. Enormous across the board. Great floor-spacing. Fast on defense. Elite rim protection. Elite rebounding. Then the coaching staff built a perfect scheme with multiple ways to beat you on both ends.

— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) April 4, 2023

Suffice to say, his dominance didn't go unnoticed:

Adama Sanogo 📈 pic.twitter.com/Uuxu4071FN

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 4, 2023

I thought LeDee was strong until I saw him run into that wall of a human being in Sanogo #NationalChampionship

— KJ (@PointForwardPro) April 4, 2023

https://twitter.com/AdiJoseph/status/1643093401162612740

Adama Sanogo is so awesome. I really hope he gets a chance to shine at the next level.

— Nick Mercadante (@NMercad) April 4, 2023

UConn 6-9 Adama Sanogo has 17 and 10, has influenced this game more than anyone with his play at both ends. he' s NBA ready.

— Dick Weiss (@HoopsWeiss) April 4, 2023

Adama Sanogo with 17/10 in the title game. Center on a UConn team that shut down San Diego State's offense. Got his mini-Emeka Okafor on

— Law Murray 🤔 (@LawMurrayTheNU) April 4, 2023

And Sanogo, a practicing Muslim, did all of it while fasting from dawn to dusk for Ramadan. But maybe it shouldn't be a surprise that a player who didn't come to the United States until 2017 to pursue a potential basketball career would thrive even while fasting.

"For a guy that's only been playing basketball for six years, he's a sponge," UConn coach Dan Hurley told reporters over the weekend. "His work ethic is off the charts. He watches tons of film. He's learned a lot of basketball concepts."

Sanogo, who grew up in Mali, had originally wanted to play soccer. He nearly chose to go to France for college. Basketball proved to be the right choice.

"I never thought I would become a college basketball player," he admitted, per the New York Post's Zach Braziller. "I was only thinking about studying in France because all of my friends were there."

"I'll be in my room thinking, 'Damn, what if I went to France, what if I didn't come to the United States,'" he added. "That showed me, don't just say no to everything. I can't believe it. I almost didn't want to come here. I'm playing on a big stage like this, it's something I'll appreciate for the rest of my life."

And now he'll forever be immortalized in the history of college basketball as the 2023 Most Outstanding Player.

The UConn Huskies are once again on top of the college basketball world, claiming their fifth national championship in program history by defeating San Diego State 76-59 in the NCAA men's basketball tournament final.

The fourth-seeded Huskies didn't face much resistance from the fifth-seeded Aztecs, leading by as many as 16 in the game and taking a 12-point lead into halftime. San Diego State cut the lead to as low as five in the second half but couldn't get closer.

Monday's victory continued a blistering run for UConn, as the team has now won all six of its NCAA tournament games by a margin of at least 13 points. The last team to win every game by double figures was Villanova in 2018.

Tristan Newton led the Huskies with 19 points and 10 rebounds in the victory, while Adama Sanogo added 17 points and 10 rebounds and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.

UConn earned the adulation of fans far and wide, with many taking to social media to offer their praise:

For the fifth time in 25 seasons, UConn has won the national championship.

The Huskies won EVERY game against non-con foes this season by double digits and by an average of 24+ points. INSANE.

It's one of the most dominant title sprints in history.

A Connecticut coronation.

— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) April 4, 2023

Biggest point differential in tournament by an NCAA champion:
1996 Kentucky, 129 points
2016 Villanova, 124 points
2009 North Carolina, 121 points
2023 UConn, 120 points

— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) April 4, 2023

UConn won its six NCAA tournament games by an average of 20.0 points, fourth-largest average since the tournament expanded in '85.

UConn is the fifth team since 85 to win all six games by double-digits.

UConn went 17-0 vs. non-Big East teams -- winning all 17 by double-digits.

— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) April 4, 2023

UConn has its fifth national title since 1999.

Dominant stuff from Dan Hurley’s group all tournament. The celebration is on in Houston.

March Madness forever. pic.twitter.com/crj6YzanHr

— Dean Straka (@DWStraka49) April 4, 2023

UConn is so freaking good. Special basketball team.

— Jared Stillman (@JaredStillman) April 4, 2023

The curious case of Connecticut as a New Blue Blood.

Last 25 years, failed to reach second weekend 15 times. But won FIVE titles.

In that same span, traditional powers Duke and North Carolina have won three titles apiece, Kansas two, Kentucky one, UCLA zero.

— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) April 4, 2023

UConn just steamrolled through this tournament. Not even a mild scare. Impressive.

— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) April 4, 2023

Death. Taxes. UConn closing in on yet another national championship captured on Texas soil. #MarchMadness

— Dean Straka (@DWStraka49) April 4, 2023

UCONN was just a buzz saw all tournament. SDSU got within 5 and put the Huskies under pressure…and they responded with a 9-0 run to basically seal it. What a dominant title run

— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) April 4, 2023

Dan Hurley was the PERFECT hire 5 years ago for UConn.

Complete rebuild and just lead the Huskies to their 5th national title.

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) April 4, 2023

UConn God Mode: Activated.

— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) April 4, 2023

It’s not really fair that UConn built a college team of guys who can actually shoot..

— Jace frederick (@JaceFrederick) April 4, 2023

Too bad about the rout, but UConn is something to watch, man.

— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) April 4, 2023

Saw UCONN play in Vegas against Arkansas - Huskies are so impressive. Lopsided score aside, everything they did was elite. Size, ball movement, defense, length on the wings, shot-making, and Hurley at the controls. It will take a Herculean effort from SDSU to mount a comeback.

— Tarek Fattal (@Tarek_Fattal) April 4, 2023

Someone needs to write a good explainer for how UConn became the best and/or easiest job in the country. Danny Hurley is 20 minutes away from being the third different UConn coach to win a national championship in the last 13 years.

— David Wilson (@DBWilson2) April 4, 2023

UCONN played 8 players in the 1st half. All 8 have scored.
The balanced bite of the Huskies has been their secret sauce all year.

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 4, 2023

UConn is 28-3 when leading at the half.
The Huskies, up by 12 right now, have trailed for a total of 55 seconds in the second half in the entire NCAA Tournament.

LOL.

— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) April 4, 2023

UConn vs Big East: 14-8

UConn vs Not Big East: 16-0

— ᗩᑎT ᗯᖇIGᕼT (@itsAntWright) April 4, 2023

Drake watching the first half with his $100K bet on UCONN by 11+ pic.twitter.com/R1CxsXneFn

— br_betting (@br_betting) April 4, 2023

UConn in every NCAA Tournament game pic.twitter.com/XYUYRgvZlH

— DraftKings Sportsbook (@DKSportsbook) April 4, 2023

UConn. Blueblood.

— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) April 4, 2023

The best team won the tournament. UConn was so dominant the whole way through. In a tournament full of inconsistencies, UConn was rock solid every game.

— Bobby Belt (@BobbyBeltTX) April 4, 2023

UConn basketball in the 13 years:

- Six missed tournaments
- Three Sweet 16s... but they won the national championship all three times.

There's nothing like them.

— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) April 4, 2023

UConn entered the year unranked in the preseason AP Poll and rose all the way to a national title. The last time that occurred was in 2011 when the Huskies took home their third championship.

But this year's group was special as head coach Dan Hurley had his team peaking at the right time and playing its best basketball when it mattered most, punctuating its incredible run through the bracket with a title.

Ahead of Monday night's NCAA men's basketball tournament national championship game between fourth-seeded UConn and fifth-seeded San Diego State, the Huskies received a massive vote of confidence from one of music's biggest stars.

Hip hop sensation Drake revealed on his Instagram that he placed two bets worth a total of $350,000 in favor of the Huskies to get past the Aztecs. The total payout would exceed $1.3 million.

UConn is going for its fifth national championship in program history, while San Diego State is seeking its first.

The Huskies have been on an absolute tear lately, winning each of their tournament games by over 10 points. The Aztecs, on the other hand, won by a single-digit margin in four of their five matchups.

If UConn is able to sustain its momentum against a stout San Diego State defense, Drake will surely be happy with his decision.