Huskies Dominate

By: BHS Sports Staff

April 6, 2023

March Madness is officially over, and our brackets were absolute garbage. The mental pain of losing will carry over until next year’s tournament, and we will need a better strategy to pick better brackets. One easy correction for next year: NEVER PICK PURDUE!

Speaking of losing, 63 teams can carry this “badge of honor”. However, the Huskies from Connecticut came through in dominant fashion by winning this year’s tournament and hoisting up the trophy.

So, how did they do it?

The first Final Four game was between 9 seeded Florida Atlantic and 5 seeded San Diego State. In the first half, SDSU was in the driver’s seat early; however, FAU flipped the switch and took the lead. They would keep adding on late in the first half, and FAU had a seven-point lead at the break. 

The Owls kept their momentum going in the second half and led by as much as 14 points midway through the second half; however, the Aztecs took advantage of FAU’s miscues, cutting down the deficit to one point with under two minutes left. It would stay back-and-forth, but the Owls were hanging onto a one-point lead. After an FAU miss, the Aztecs had the ball, pushed it up the floor, and Lamont Butler found a shot he liked and buried it at the buzzer. 

The Aztecs were going to the National Championship for the first time in program history, despite being down by 14 points in the second half.

The second Final Four game was between the 4-seed Connecticut Huskies and 5-seeded Miami Hurricanes. UConn was the favored winner, and this showed throughout the game.

Throughout the first half, the Huskies dominated as they consistently stayed up by 10 with Adama Sanogo leading the way. Miami could not make a shot as UConn’s defense was quick and stifling.

In the second half, the Huskies did not let up and wanted to clinch their spot in the National Championship, and that is exactly what they did. Miami played the Huskies even in the final 20 minutes, but they could not erase the 13-point first half deficit.

The Huskies prevailed 72-59.

Finally, it was time for the National Championship. Would it be UConn’s fifth National Title or SDSU’s first?

The game started off with the Aztecs hitting two threes in a row and some additional, mid-range jumpers, but this Husky team did not allow them to build sustained momentum. Their defense picked up and started locking down, which led to turnovers and transition baskets. SDSU’s short-lived lead was erased, and the Huskies led at the half, 36-24.

Heading into the second half, the Aztecs attempted to come back, but the Huskies were too much. Their physicality, execution, and team chemistry enabled them to prevail, 76-59. This victory secured the fifth National Title in program history.

The Huskies put on a show this year, winning all six games by 13 points or more. Truly, a dominant postseason from a #4 seed.

With some crazy upsets, unprecedented seeds advancing, and jaw-dropping plays, this year’s March Madness was one for the ages.

In other sports news, Spring seasons are in full-swing right now, so stay tuned for some BHS baseball, softball, and track articles.

Go Canes!

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