2024- Connecticut

The 2024 edition of the NCAA Tournament saw the continuation of dominance, redemption for past failure and a few magic making upsets 

 

After one of the most chaotic tournaments in NCAA history in 2023, 2024 saw the return of chalk. Every 1 and 2 seed made it through the first two rounds alive, including defending champion UConn and Purdue; who were the subject of national embarrassment after losing to Fairleigh Dickinson just 1 year ago. However some blue bloods did fall victim to Cinderella including Oakland (Michigan not California) shocking upset suceptable Kentucky led by the sharpshooting Jack Golke while Yale took down Auburn for the second straight year with an Ivy League upset. 

 

UConn and Purdue continued to roll right through the Regionals leaving destruction in their path, with the Huskies light up a 30-0 run againt Illinois while skyscraper shaped Zach Edey put up 40 to out duel Tennessee and Dalton Knecht. NC State and big man DJ Burns became Americas team as the 11 seed took down Marquette and Duke en route to a Final Four appearance. The Huskies, Boilermakers and Wolf Pack were joined by the Rolling Tide of Alabama who beat the 1 seed Tar Heels in a thriller of a Sweet 16 game.

 

UConn and Purdue seemed destined on a collision course right to the final and that’s exactly what happened. Zach Edey's monstrous tournament were no match for the Huskies as UConn prevailed 75-60 becoming the first team to win back to back titles since Florida in 2007 and 2008. These Huskies were truly one of the best of all time winning every game by at least 13 points and having the 3rd largest combined margin of victory in Tournament history