Connecticut Huskies men's basketball
Encyclopedia
The Connecticut Huskies is the name of the men's college basketball
team representing the University of Connecticut
, in Storrs
, Connecticut
, USA
. The program is classified in the NCAA
's Division I, and the team competes in the Big East Conference
. The team is currently coached by Jim Calhoun
.
UConn has won three NCAA Championships
(tied for sixth all time), and has appeared in four NCAA Final Fours. The Huskies have won seven Big East Tournament Championships
and are 10-time regular season champions.
High School in January of that year. The college team won, and by 1903 basketball was a varsity sport.
returned to his alma mater as a freshman coach. He was later named head coach of the Huskies six games into the 1946–47 season. Greer led Connecticut to a perfect 12–0 mark for the remainder of his first season. Posting a record of 16–2, this was the best single season finish in school history to that point. UConn won twelve Yankee Conference titles under Greer in 16 completed seasons, including ten consecutive titles from 1951–60. Greer also led UConn to its first seven NCAA berths and one NIT appearance while compiling an overall head coaching record of 286–112. Greer died of a heart attack in 1963, ten games into the 1962–63 season. He was replaced by George Wigton who led them to the NCAA tournament. UConn men's basketball was a regional power under Greer, winning eighteen Yankee Conference
championships between 1947 and 1975—when the Yankee Conference dropped support of basketball—including twelve by Greer.
, which was created to focus on basketball. Prior to the 1986–87 season UConn hired Jim Calhoun to be the program's new head coach; they finished the season with a record of 9–19. In 1988, the team showed significant improvement and gained a berth in the NIT
. UConn went on a run in the tournament and defeated Ohio State
72–67 at Madison Square Garden
to win the NIT, the school's first national basketball title.
The 1990 "Dream Season" would bring UConn basketball back to the national stage. Led by Chris Smith
, Nadav Henefeld and Tate George
, UConn went from unranked in the preseason to winning the Big East Regular Season and Tournament Championships, both for the first time. 1990 also marked the opening of Gampel Pavilion, the program's new on-campus home. In the NCAA Tournament
the Huskies garnered a #1 seed in the East Region, but trailed Clemson
70–69 with 1 second remaining in the Sweet 16. Scott Burrell's
full-court pass found Tate George on the far baseline. George spun, fired, and hit a buzzer-beater that is known in Connecticut simply as "The Shot". They would be eliminated on a buzzer-beater 2 days later by Duke
, losing in overtime 79–78.
UConn continued to rise as a national program throughout the 1990s, winning five more Big East Regular Season and three more Big East Tournament
Championships, as well as reaching several regional finals. The Final Four still eluded Calhoun and the program until the 1999 NCAA Tournament
. With Richard "Rip" Hamilton
leading the way, they claimed the program's first national title that same year.
in the regional finals sent UConn to Tropicana Field
for the Final Four. They defeated Ohio State 64–58 in the semi-final to face off against Duke in the final. Despite having been ranked #1 for half of the year, the Huskies entered the national championship game as 9-point underdogs.
UConn won their first national title with a 77–74 victory. Hamilton was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player
. This was an especially significant victory for the program, as it cemented Connecticut's reputation as a true basketball power after a decade of narrowly missing the Final Four.
. Once again, they faced Duke, this time in the National Semifinal, and used a late run to beat the Blue Devils 79–78. Two nights later, led by Ben Gordon and Emeka Okafor
, Connecticut won their second national title with an 82–73 victory in the final game over Georgia Tech
. Okafor was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player
.
The following night, the UConn women's basketball team defeated archrival
Tennessee
to claim a championship of their own. UConn became the first school in NCAA Division I history to have its men's and women's basketball programs win the national title in the same year.
, 53-41. Many consider UConn's win in the Championship Game a great defensive performance holding Butler to only 18.8% from the field, setting a record for the worst shooting performance in a championship game, and tying the Championship Game record with ten blocked shots. Some argue that Connecticut did not play great defense, and that Butler simply played worse than UConn's own poor performance. The 53 points scored by Connecticut was, in turn, the lowest point total by a winning team in a championship game since 1949. An analysis by Sports Illustrated columnist Luke Winn credits the Huskies' defense by demonstrating, for instance, that they blocked or altered a staggering 26.6% of Butler's shots - compared to just 3.8 percent by Pittsburgh and 12.1 percent by VCU in earlier rounds.
on February 5, 2007. Former athletic director John Toner was inducted on February 28, 2009. On April 5, 2011, Kemba Walker
was the first men's basketball player to be added to the Huskies of Honor since the inaugural inductees after leading the team to a national championship.
The Huskies of Honor are each notarized by a four by five foot panel which displays his name, jersey number and years of service, and a plaque which summarizes each's career accomplishments. Both the panels and the plaques are on permanent display at Gampel Pavilion on the University of Connecticut campus in Storrs, CT.
. During the 2006–2007 season, there were an NBA-high 14 former Huskies on active rosters. During the 2008-2009 season that number was 13, with three current UConn players expected to be taken during the 2009 NBA draft
.
NBA Players Past and Present
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
team representing the University of Connecticut
University of Connecticut
The admission rate to the University of Connecticut is about 50% and has been steadily decreasing, with about 28,000 prospective students applying for admission to the freshman class in recent years. Approximately 40,000 prospective students tour the main campus in Storrs annually...
, in Storrs
Storrs, Connecticut
Storrs is a census-designated place and part of the town of Mansfield, Connecticut located in eastern Tolland County. The population was 10,996 at the 2000 census...
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The program is classified in the NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
's Division I, and the team competes in the Big East Conference
Big East Conference
The Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the eastern half of the United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 24 NCAA sports...
. The team is currently coached by Jim Calhoun
Jim Calhoun
James A. Calhoun is the head coach of the University of Connecticut's men's basketball team. His teams have won three national championships , played in four Final Fours , won the 1988 NIT championship, and have won seven Big East tournament championships...
.
UConn has won three NCAA Championships
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
(tied for sixth all time), and has appeared in four NCAA Final Fours. The Huskies have won seven Big East Tournament Championships
Big East Men's Basketball Tournament
The Big East Men's Basketball Tournament is the conference championship tournament in men's basketball for the Big East Conference. The winner receives the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship. Since 1983, the tournament has been held in Madison Square...
and are 10-time regular season champions.
Early history
Men's basketball at UConn began in 1901 with a single game played by Connecticut Agricultural College against WindhamWindham, Connecticut
Windham is a town in Windham County, Connecticut, United States. It contains the city of Willimantic and the villages of Windham Center, North Windham, and South Windham. The city of Willimantic was consolidated with the town in 1983...
High School in January of that year. The college team won, and by 1903 basketball was a varsity sport.
Hugh Greer Era
After graduating from the Connecticut Agricultural College, former player Hugh GreerHugh Greer
Hugh Greer was the UConn Huskies men's basketball coach from 1946 to 1963.-Early life and education:Born in Suffield, Connecticut, Hugh Greer went to school at Connecticut Agricultural College...
returned to his alma mater as a freshman coach. He was later named head coach of the Huskies six games into the 1946–47 season. Greer led Connecticut to a perfect 12–0 mark for the remainder of his first season. Posting a record of 16–2, this was the best single season finish in school history to that point. UConn won twelve Yankee Conference titles under Greer in 16 completed seasons, including ten consecutive titles from 1951–60. Greer also led UConn to its first seven NCAA berths and one NIT appearance while compiling an overall head coaching record of 286–112. Greer died of a heart attack in 1963, ten games into the 1962–63 season. He was replaced by George Wigton who led them to the NCAA tournament. UConn men's basketball was a regional power under Greer, winning eighteen Yankee Conference
Yankee Conference
The Yankee Conference was a collegiate sports conference in the eastern United States. It once sponsored competition in many sports, but eventually became a football-only league...
championships between 1947 and 1975—when the Yankee Conference dropped support of basketball—including twelve by Greer.
Jim Calhoun era
Prior to the 1986 season, Connecticut remained a regional powerhouse and had earned several NCAA tournament berths. In 1979, UConn was one of the seven founding schools of the Big East ConferenceBig East Conference
The Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the eastern half of the United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 24 NCAA sports...
, which was created to focus on basketball. Prior to the 1986–87 season UConn hired Jim Calhoun to be the program's new head coach; they finished the season with a record of 9–19. In 1988, the team showed significant improvement and gained a berth in the NIT
1988 National Invitation Tournament
-Semifinals & Finals:*Third Place - Colorado State 58, Boston College 57...
. UConn went on a run in the tournament and defeated Ohio State
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
72–67 at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
to win the NIT, the school's first national basketball title.
The 1990 "Dream Season" would bring UConn basketball back to the national stage. Led by Chris Smith
Chris Smith (basketball)
Christopher 'Chris' Gerard Smith is an American former professional basketball player, in the point guard position.-Basketball career:Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Smith played collegiately at the University of Connecticut...
, Nadav Henefeld and Tate George
Tate George
Tate Claude George is an American businessman and former professional basketball player who was selected by the New Jersey Nets with the 22nd overall pick in the 1990 NBA Draft from the University of Connecticut...
, UConn went from unranked in the preseason to winning the Big East Regular Season and Tournament Championships, both for the first time. 1990 also marked the opening of Gampel Pavilion, the program's new on-campus home. In the NCAA Tournament
1990 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1990 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 64 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 15, 1990, and ended with the championship game on April 2 in Denver, Colorado...
the Huskies garnered a #1 seed in the East Region, but trailed Clemson
Clemson Tigers men's basketball
The Clemson Tigers men's basketball team is a college basketball program that competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference in the NCAA Division I. The current head coach is Brad Brownell.-Team history:...
70–69 with 1 second remaining in the Sweet 16. Scott Burrell's
Scott Burrell
Scott David Burrell is an American retired professional basketball player and current assistant coach for Quinnipiac University. He has played internationally and was also a professional baseball player...
full-court pass found Tate George on the far baseline. George spun, fired, and hit a buzzer-beater that is known in Connecticut simply as "The Shot". They would be eliminated on a buzzer-beater 2 days later by Duke
Duke Blue Devils men's basketball
The Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team is the college basketball program representing Duke University in the Atlantic Coast Conference of NCAA Division I...
, losing in overtime 79–78.
UConn continued to rise as a national program throughout the 1990s, winning five more Big East Regular Season and three more Big East Tournament
Big East Tournament
Big East Tournament or Big East Championship may refer to:*Big East Men's Basketball Tournament, the men's basketball championship*Big East Women's Basketball Tournament, the women's basketball championship...
Championships, as well as reaching several regional finals. The Final Four still eluded Calhoun and the program until the 1999 NCAA Tournament
1999 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1999 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 64 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 11, 1999, and ended with the championship game on March 29 at Tropicana Field in St....
. With Richard "Rip" Hamilton
Richard Hamilton (basketball)
Richard "Rip" Hamilton is an American basketball player who currently plays for the Detroit Pistons. Hamilton is 6'7" tall, weighs 193 lbs , and plays shooting guard. He currently is the Pistons' team captain....
leading the way, they claimed the program's first national title that same year.
1999 NCAA Title
The Huskies were the top seed in the West region and a win over GonzagaGonzaga University
Gonzaga University is a private Roman Catholic university located in Spokane, Washington, United States. Founded in 1887 by the Society of Jesus, it is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities and is named after the young Jesuit saint, Aloysius Gonzaga...
in the regional finals sent UConn to Tropicana Field
Tropicana Field
Tropicana Field is a domed stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida, which has been the home of Major League Baseball's Tampa Bay Rays since the team's inaugural season in 1998, when they were the Devil Rays. It has also served as the host stadium for the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl, an NCAA-sanctioned college...
for the Final Four. They defeated Ohio State 64–58 in the semi-final to face off against Duke in the final. Despite having been ranked #1 for half of the year, the Huskies entered the national championship game as 9-point underdogs.
UConn won their first national title with a 77–74 victory. Hamilton was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player
NCAA Basketball Tournament Most Outstanding Player
At the conclusion of the NCAA men's and women's Division I basketball championships , the Associated Press selects a Most Outstanding Player. The MOP need not be, but almost always is a member of the Championship team, especially since the third place game was eliminated after 1981...
. This was an especially significant victory for the program, as it cemented Connecticut's reputation as a true basketball power after a decade of narrowly missing the Final Four.
2004 NCAA Title
In 2004, the Huskies returned to the Final Four2004 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 2004 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 16, 2004, and ended with the championship game on April 5 at the Alamodome in San Antonio,...
. Once again, they faced Duke, this time in the National Semifinal, and used a late run to beat the Blue Devils 79–78. Two nights later, led by Ben Gordon and Emeka Okafor
Emeka Okafor
Chukwuemeka Ndubuisi Okafor, abbreviated as Emeka Okafor , is an American basketball power forward and center for the New Orleans Hornets of the National Basketball Association. Prior to the NBA, Okafor attended Houston's Bellaire High School, and the University of Connecticut.-Early life:Okafor...
, Connecticut won their second national title with an 82–73 victory in the final game over Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets men's basketball
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets men's basketball team represents the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in NCAA Division I basketball. The team plays its home games in Alexander Memorial Coliseum. Under the tenure of Bobby Cremins, Georgia Tech established itself as a national force in basketball...
. Okafor was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player
NCAA Basketball Tournament Most Outstanding Player
At the conclusion of the NCAA men's and women's Division I basketball championships , the Associated Press selects a Most Outstanding Player. The MOP need not be, but almost always is a member of the Championship team, especially since the third place game was eliminated after 1981...
.
The following night, the UConn women's basketball team defeated archrival
UConn-Tennessee rivalry
The women's basketball rivalry between the University of Tennessee Lady Vols and the University of Connecticut Huskies is one of the fiercest rivalries in college basketball, and perhaps the only one to reach national consciousness out of the women's game...
Tennessee
Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball
The Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball team represents the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee in NCAA women's basketball competition...
to claim a championship of their own. UConn became the first school in NCAA Division I history to have its men's and women's basketball programs win the national title in the same year.
2011 NCAA Title
UConn won eleven straight games in postseason play leading to the program's third NCAA Men's Division I Championship. On April 4, 2011, they defeated the Butler Bulldogs2010–11 Butler Bulldogs men's basketball team
The 2010–11 Butler Bulldogs men's basketball team represented Butler University in the 2010–11 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. Their head coach was Brad Stevens, serving his 4th year. The Bulldogs played their home games at the Hinkle Fieldhouse, which has a capacity of approximately 10,000...
, 53-41. Many consider UConn's win in the Championship Game a great defensive performance holding Butler to only 18.8% from the field, setting a record for the worst shooting performance in a championship game, and tying the Championship Game record with ten blocked shots. Some argue that Connecticut did not play great defense, and that Butler simply played worse than UConn's own poor performance. The 53 points scored by Connecticut was, in turn, the lowest point total by a winning team in a championship game since 1949. An analysis by Sports Illustrated columnist Luke Winn credits the Huskies' defense by demonstrating, for instance, that they blocked or altered a staggering 26.6% of Butler's shots - compared to just 3.8 percent by Pittsburgh and 12.1 percent by VCU in earlier rounds.
Huskies of Honor
On December 26, 2006, UConn announced the inaugural inductees into the "Huskies of Honor" recognition program. The class comprised 13 players and 3 coaches. The "Huskies of Honor" class was officially unveiled at a halftime ceremony during a game between UConn and SyracuseSyracuse Orange men's basketball
The Syracuse Orange men's basketball program is the intercollegiate men's basketball team representing Syracuse University. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I, and the team competes in the Big East Conference...
on February 5, 2007. Former athletic director John Toner was inducted on February 28, 2009. On April 5, 2011, Kemba Walker
Kemba Walker
Kemba Hudley Walker is an American professional basketball player for the Charlotte Bobcats. Walker grew up in The Bronx, New York and graduated from Rice High School in 2008. With the Huskies basketball team at Connecticut, Walker was the 2nd leading college basketball scorer in the United States...
was the first men's basketball player to be added to the Huskies of Honor since the inaugural inductees after leading the team to a national championship.
The Huskies of Honor are each notarized by a four by five foot panel which displays his name, jersey number and years of service, and a plaque which summarizes each's career accomplishments. Both the panels and the plaques are on permanent display at Gampel Pavilion on the University of Connecticut campus in Storrs, CT.
Players
- Ray AllenRay AllenWalter Ray Allen is an American professional basketball player who is currently playing for the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association. He has played professionally for the Milwaukee Bucks, Seattle SuperSonics, and the Boston Celtics; and collegiately for the University of...
1993–96 - Wes BialosukniaWes BialosukniaWesley John "Wes" Bialosuknia is a retired American basketball player. He was a 6'2" 185 lb guard, and played collegiately for the University of Connecticut Huskies...
1964–67 - Walt DropoWalt DropoWalter Dropo , nicknamed "Moose", was an American college basketball standout and a professional baseball first baseman...
1942–47 - Richard HamiltonRichard Hamilton (basketball)Richard "Rip" Hamilton is an American basketball player who currently plays for the Detroit Pistons. Hamilton is 6'7" tall, weighs 193 lbs , and plays shooting guard. He currently is the Pistons' team captain....
1996–99 - Tony Hanson 1973–77
- Toby KimballToby KimballThomas "Toby" Kimball is a retired American professional basketball player.As 6'8" power forward/center at the University of Connecticut, Kimball averaged 18.4 points and 17.9 rebounds over three seasons...
1961-65 - Donyell MarshallDonyell MarshallDonyell Lamar Marshall is a retired American professional basketball player, at the small forward and power forward positions. During his extensive NBA career, he played with eight different teams...
1991–94 - Emeka OkaforEmeka OkaforChukwuemeka Ndubuisi Okafor, abbreviated as Emeka Okafor , is an American basketball power forward and center for the New Orleans Hornets of the National Basketball Association. Prior to the NBA, Okafor attended Houston's Bellaire High School, and the University of Connecticut.-Early life:Okafor...
2001–04 - Art QuimbyArt QuimbyArthur R. "Art" Quimby was an American college basketball standout from the University of Connecticut. He played for the Huskies from 1951–52 to 1954–55 and is still the program's all-time leader in rebounds for a single game , single season and career...
1951-55 - Clifford RobinsonClifford R. RobinsonClifford "Cliff" Ralph Robinson is a former American professional basketball player, formerly of the National Basketball Association.-Highlights:...
1985–89 - Chris SmithChris Smith (basketball)Christopher 'Chris' Gerard Smith is an American former professional basketball player, in the point guard position.-Basketball career:Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Smith played collegiately at the University of Connecticut...
1988–92 - Corny ThompsonCorny ThompsonCornelius "Corny" Allen Thompson is a retired American professional basketball player. He was a 6'8" 225 lb power forward who occasionally also played the center position...
1978-82 - Kemba WalkerKemba WalkerKemba Hudley Walker is an American professional basketball player for the Charlotte Bobcats. Walker grew up in The Bronx, New York and graduated from Rice High School in 2008. With the Huskies basketball team at Connecticut, Walker was the 2nd leading college basketball scorer in the United States...
2008-11 - Vin Yokabaskas 1948-52
Coaches and administrators
- Jim CalhounJim CalhounJames A. Calhoun is the head coach of the University of Connecticut's men's basketball team. His teams have won three national championships , played in four Final Fours , won the 1988 NIT championship, and have won seven Big East tournament championships...
, Head Coach, 1986–present - Hugh GreerHugh GreerHugh Greer was the UConn Huskies men's basketball coach from 1946 to 1963.-Early life and education:Born in Suffield, Connecticut, Hugh Greer went to school at Connecticut Agricultural College...
, Head Coach, 1946–63 - Dee Rowe, Head Coach, 1969–77
- John TonerJohn Toner-External links:...
, Athletic Director, 1969–87 - James Doran, Assistant Athletic Trainer, 2005-present
Notable games
- February 27, 1954 - Worthy Patterson's buzzer-beater at Holy CrossCollege of the Holy CrossThe College of the Holy Cross is an undergraduate Roman Catholic liberal arts college located in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA...
gave UConn an upset of the then-powerhouse Crusaders, 78-77. - March 14, 1964 - UConn upsets PrincetonPrinceton TigersThe Princeton Tigers are the athletic teams of Princeton University. The school sponsors 31 varsity sports. The school has won several NCAA national championships, including one in men's fencing, six in men's lacrosse, three in women's lacrosse, and eight in men's golf...
and star forward Bill BradleyBill BradleyWilliam Warren "Bill" Bradley is an American hall of fame basketball player, Rhodes scholar, and former three-term Democratic U.S. Senator from New Jersey. He ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic Party's nomination for President in the 2000 election.Bradley was born and raised in a suburb of St....
52–50 in the Sweet 16 at Cameron Indoor StadiumCameron Indoor StadiumCameron Indoor Stadium is an indoor arena located on the West Campus of Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. It is home to the Duke Blue Devils men's and women's basketball teams, the women's volleyball team, and the men's wrestling team....
. The victory was sealed when Dom PernoDom PernoDom Perno is an American basketball coach and current associate athletic director at George Washington University. He was head basketball coach at the University of Connecticut for nine seasons, from 1977 to 1986, compiling a 139-114 record, making both the NCAA tournament and NIT. He coached...
stole the ball from Bradley with 19 seconds to play. Perno would later become UConn's coach. - February 28, 1970 - With 4 players unavailable, and a share of the Yankee Conference Regular-Season Championship on the line, UConn beats Rhode IslandRhode Island Rams men's basketballThe Rhode Island Rams men's basketball team is a college basketball program that competes in NCAA Division I and the Atlantic Ten Conference representing the University of Rhode Island. The team is currently coached by Jim Baron, who is in his 10th year...
35–32 at the Field HouseHugh S. Greer Field HouseHugh S. Greer Field House was a 4,604 seat multi-purpose arena in Storrs, Connecticut. It opened December 1, 1954 with a win against then-archrival URI. It was home to the University of Connecticut Huskies men's and women's basketball teams until January 27, 1990, when the Harry A. Gampel...
, in what became known as "The Slowdown Game". Played before the shot clock-eraShot clockA shot clock is used in some sports to quicken the pace of the game. It is normally associated with basketball, but has also found use in sports such as snooker, professional lacrosse, water polo, and korfball....
, UConn dribbles endlessly for 38 minutes to make up for the limited roster and save energy. - March 30, 1988 - UConn defeats Ohio StateOhio State Buckeyes men's basketballThe Lucas Sapp men's basketball team represents The Ohio State University in NCAA Division I college basketball competition. The Buckeyes are a member of the Big Ten Conference. The Buckeyes won their only National Championship in 1960 and have made a total of 21 NCAA Tournament appearances...
72–67 at Madison Square GardenMadison Square GardenMadison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
to win the NIT. - January 27, 1990 - UConn beats #15 St. John'sSt. John's University (New York City)St. John's University is a private, Roman Catholic, coeducational university located in New York City, United States. Founded by the Congregation of the Mission in 1870, the school was originally located in the borough of Brooklyn in the neighborhood of Bedford–Stuyvesant...
72–58 in the first game at Gampel Pavilion. - March 11, 1990 - UConn beats Syracuse 78–75 at Madison Square Garden to win its first Big East Tournament Championship.
- March 22, 1990 - Tate George hits "The Shot" to beat ClemsonClemson Tigers men's basketballThe Clemson Tigers men's basketball team is a college basketball program that competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference in the NCAA Division I. The current head coach is Brad Brownell.-Team history:...
71–70 in the 1990 Sweet 16 at Brendan Byrne Arena in East Rutherford, New JerseyEast Rutherford, New JerseyEast Rutherford is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 8,913. It is an inner-ring suburb of New York City, located west of Midtown Manhattan....
. - March 24, 1990 - UConn loses to DukeDuke Blue Devils men's basketballThe Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team is the college basketball program representing Duke University in the Atlantic Coast Conference of NCAA Division I...
by one point in overtime, ending UConn's season. Duke went on to become runner-up to the national championship. Duke won the national championship the next year. - March 9, 1996 - With UConn trailing Georgetown, led by Allen IversonAllen IversonAllen Ezail Iverson is an American professional basketball point guard and shooting guard. He was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the number one pick in the 1996 NBA Draft. He was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in the 1996–97 season...
, 74–63 with 4 minutes remaining, the Huskies close the game with a 12–0 run and win the Big East Championship 75–74 on an off-balance floater from All-American Ray AllenRay AllenWalter Ray Allen is an American professional basketball player who is currently playing for the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association. He has played professionally for the Milwaukee Bucks, Seattle SuperSonics, and the Boston Celtics; and collegiately for the University of...
at Madison Square GardenMadison Square GardenMadison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
. - March 29, 1999 - UConn wins its first National Championship, defeating DukeDuke Blue Devils men's basketballThe Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team is the college basketball program representing Duke University in the Atlantic Coast Conference of NCAA Division I...
77–74 at Tropicana FieldTropicana FieldTropicana Field is a domed stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida, which has been the home of Major League Baseball's Tampa Bay Rays since the team's inaugural season in 1998, when they were the Devil Rays. It has also served as the host stadium for the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl, an NCAA-sanctioned college...
in St. Petersburg, FloridaSt. Petersburg, FloridaSt. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. It is known as a vacation destination for both American and foreign tourists. As of 2008, the population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau is 245,314, making St...
. - April 5, 2004 - UConn wins its second National Championship, defeating Georgia Tech 82–73 at the AlamodomeAlamodomeThe Alamodome is a domed 65,000 seat, multi-purpose facility that is primarily used as a football/basketball stadium and convention center in San Antonio, Texas, U.S...
in San Antonio, TexasTexasTexas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. - March 12, 2009 - "The game that wouldn't end" - In the quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament2009 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament- Championship Game :- Syracuse vs. Connecticut :The quarterfinal game on Thursday, March 12 between Syracuse and Connecticut lasted for six overtime periods, the second-longest game in NCAA Division I Men's Basketball history...
, the Huskies played a six-overtime game against SyracuseSyracuse Orange men's basketballThe Syracuse Orange men's basketball program is the intercollegiate men's basketball team representing Syracuse University. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I, and the team competes in the Big East Conference...
, the longest game in Big EastBig East ConferenceThe Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the eastern half of the United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 24 NCAA sports...
history, and the second longest game in NCAA history. UConn never trailed in the first five overtime periods, but Syracuse won 127–117. - March 10, 2011 - In the Quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament2011 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament-Championship Game:* Denotes Overtime Game-Rutgers–St. John's controversy:The second round St. John's-Rutgers game was criticized for poor officiating on the part of veteran officials Jim Burr, Tim Higgins, and Earl Walton. In the final play of the game, Justin Brownlee of St. John's stole an...
Kemba Walker lead #9 seed UConn past #1 seed Pittsburgh by sinking a 16-foot step-back jumper as time expired. - March 12, 2011 - In the finals of the Big East Tournament2011 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament-Championship Game:* Denotes Overtime Game-Rutgers–St. John's controversy:The second round St. John's-Rutgers game was criticized for poor officiating on the part of veteran officials Jim Burr, Tim Higgins, and Earl Walton. In the final play of the game, Justin Brownlee of St. John's stole an...
, the Huskies defeated LouisvilleLouisville Cardinals men's basketballThe Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team is the 18th winningest college basketball team in NCAA Division I history and has the 10th best winning percentage in college basketball history. Currently coached by Rick Pitino, the Cardinals of the University of Louisville have been to 37 NCAA...
by a score of 69-66 to claim their 7th Big East Championship, finishing a run unprecedented in NCAA men's basketball wherein they won five tournament games in five consecutive days, four of them versus top-25 ranked opponents including top tournament seed PittsburghPittsburgh Panthers men's basketballPittsburgh Panthers men's basketball is the NCAA Division I intercollegiate men's basketball program of the University of Pittsburgh, often referred to as "Pitt", located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Pitt men's basketball team competes in the Big East Conference and plays their home games in...
, with junior All-American guard Kemba WalkerKemba WalkerKemba Hudley Walker is an American professional basketball player for the Charlotte Bobcats. Walker grew up in The Bronx, New York and graduated from Rice High School in 2008. With the Huskies basketball team at Connecticut, Walker was the 2nd leading college basketball scorer in the United States...
, who scored a tournament-record 130 points in the five-game run, named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. - March 26, 2011 - In the NCAA Tournament West Regional Finals, the Huskies defeated ArizonaArizona Wildcats men's basketballThe Arizona Wildcats basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball program representing the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The team competes in the Pacific-12 Conference of NCAA Division I. They are currently coached by Sean Miller.Arizona has a long and rich...
by a score of 65-63 to advance to the program's, and Coach Jim Calhoun's, fourth Final Four in 13 seasons. The victory was the Huskies' ninth in a row including the Big East Tournament, and is considered by many to be a remarkable team and coaching accomplishment given that the team was unranked at the beginning of the season, was projected to finish tenth in the Big East, and did finish ninth in the Big East regular season standings. Junior guard Kemba Walker was named Most Outstanding Player of the West Regional, and freshman forward Jeremy LambJeremy LambJeremy Emmanuel Lamb is an American college basketball player. He is a shooting guard for the Connecticut Huskies. As a freshman, he was a the second-leading scorer on the 2011 Huskies team that won the National Championship.-High school:...
was also named to the All-Regional Team. - April 2, 2011 - The Huskies defeated Kentucky 56-55 in the national semifinals to reach the NCAA Tournament championship game against Butler.
- April 4, 2011 - The Huskies defeated Butler 53-41 to claim the National Championship in Houston's Reliant Stadium.
Impact on the NBA
Since the 1990s, UConn has been recognized as being a consistent pipeline for players to enter the National Basketball AssociationNational Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
. During the 2006–2007 season, there were an NBA-high 14 former Huskies on active rosters. During the 2008-2009 season that number was 13, with three current UConn players expected to be taken during the 2009 NBA draft
NBA Draft
The NBA Draft is an annual event in which the thirty teams from the National Basketball Association can draft players who are eligible and wish to join the league. These players are usually amateur U.S. college basketball players, but international players are also eligible to be drafted...
.
- The 2006 Draft class was notable for tying the record of most first-round picks from one school, with four. With five players drafted in the two rounds, UConn tied for the second-most ever taken in an NBA draft.
- Two players (Clifford Robinson, 1992–93, and Ben Gordon, 2004–05) have been winners of the NBA Sixth Man of the Year AwardNBA Sixth Man of the Year AwardThe National Basketball Association's Sixth Man of the Year Award is an annual National Basketball Association award given since the 1982–83 NBA season to the league's most valuable player for his team coming off the bench as a substitute . A panel of sportswriters and broadcasters from throughout...
. - Emeka Okafor was the winner of the 2004–05 NBA Rookie of the Year AwardNBA Rookie of the Year AwardThe National Basketball Association's Rookie of the Year Award is an annual National Basketball Association award given since the 1952–53 NBA season, to the top rookie of the regular season. The winner receives the Eddie Gottlieb Trophy, which is named in honor of the Philadelphia Warriors head...
. - Ray Allen was the winner of the 2002–03 NBA Sportsmanship AwardNBA Sportsmanship AwardThe National Basketball Association's Sportsmanship Award is an annual National Basketball Association award given since the 1995–96 NBA season, to the player who most "exemplifies the ideals of sportsmanship on the court—ethical behavior, fair play and integrity"...
, and is the NBA all-time leader in 3-point field goals made. - Five players (Scott Burrell, 1997–98, Travis Knight, 1999–2000, Richard Hamilton, 2003–04, Ray Allen, 2007–08, and Caron Butler, 2010–11) have won NBA championshipsNBA FinalsThe NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association . The series was named the NBA World Championship Series until 1986....
.
NBA Players Past and Present
- Adrien, JeffJeff AdrienJeff Adrien is an American professional basketball player. He is a 6'7" forward. Adrien formerly served as captain for the University of Connecticut Huskies.-High school:...
2010–Present - Aleksinas, ChuckChuck AleksinasCharles Aleksinas is an American former professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association . He was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in the 4th round of the 1982 NBA Draft and played one season in 1984-85 for the Golden State Warriors...
1984-1984 - Allen, RayRay AllenWalter Ray Allen is an American professional basketball player who is currently playing for the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association. He has played professionally for the Milwaukee Bucks, Seattle SuperSonics, and the Boston Celtics; and collegiately for the University of...
1996–Present - Armstrong, HiltonHilton ArmstrongHilton A. Armstrong, Jr. is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for ASVEL Basket. He played forward/center for the University of Connecticut Huskies...
2006–Present - Bialosuknia, WesWes BialosukniaWesley John "Wes" Bialosuknia is a retired American basketball player. He was a 6'2" 185 lb guard, and played collegiately for the University of Connecticut Huskies...
1967-1967 - Boone, JoshJosh BooneOscar Joshua "Josh" Boone is an American professional basketball player. He was a forward–center for the Connecticut Huskies, where he played for three years. He declared for the 2006 NBA Draft after his junior season, forgoing his final year of college...
2006–Present - BurrellScott BurrellScott David Burrell is an American retired professional basketball player and current assistant coach for Quinnipiac University. He has played internationally and was also a professional baseball player...
, Scott 1993-2000 - Butler, CaronCaron ButlerJames Caron Butler, widely known as Caron Butler , is an American professional basketball player who most recently played at small forward for the NBA's Dallas Mavericks.-Early life:...
2002–Present - El-Amin, KhalidKhalid El-AminKhalid El-Amin is an American professional basketball player. He was a member of the 1999 UConn men's basketball team that won the NCAA championship. He is originally from Minnesota where he played for North High School in Minneapolis...
2000-2000 - Foster, JimmyJimmy Foster (basketball)James Foster is a retired American basketball player. He was a 6'1", 175 lb guard and attended the University of Connecticut and played in the ABA from 1974 to 1976 with the Spirits of St...
1974-1975 - Gay, RudyRudy GayRudy Carlton Gay, Jr. is an American professional basketball player who is currently playing for the Memphis Grizzlies...
2006–Present - George, TateTate GeorgeTate Claude George is an American businessman and former professional basketball player who was selected by the New Jersey Nets with the 22nd overall pick in the 1990 NBA Draft from the University of Connecticut...
1990-1994 - Gordon, Ben 2004–Present
- Hamilton, RichardRichard Hamilton (basketball)Richard "Rip" Hamilton is an American basketball player who currently plays for the Detroit Pistons. Hamilton is 6'7" tall, weighs 193 lbs , and plays shooting guard. He currently is the Pistons' team captain....
1999–Present - Kimball, TobyToby KimballThomas "Toby" Kimball is a retired American professional basketball player.As 6'8" power forward/center at the University of Connecticut, Kimball averaged 18.4 points and 17.9 rebounds over three seasons...
1966-1974 - Knight, TravisTravis KnightTravis Knight is a retired American professional basketball player who was selected by the Chicago Bulls in the 1st round of the 1996 NBA Draft...
1996-2002 - Kuczenski, BruceBruce KuczenskiBruce John Kuczenski is a retired American professional basketball player. He was a 6'10" 230 lb power forward/center and played collegiately at the University of Connecticut from 1979–1983.Kuczenski was selected with the 12th pick of the 3rd round of the 1983 NBA Draft by the New...
1983-1983 - Marshall, DonnyDonny MarshallDonny E. Marshall is a retired American professional basketball player who was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers the 2nd round of the 1995 National Basketball Association Draft.-Career:...
1995-2002 - Marshall, DonyellDonyell MarshallDonyell Lamar Marshall is a retired American professional basketball player, at the small forward and power forward positions. During his extensive NBA career, he played with eight different teams...
1994-2009 - Okafor, EmekaEmeka OkaforChukwuemeka Ndubuisi Okafor, abbreviated as Emeka Okafor , is an American basketball power forward and center for the New Orleans Hornets of the National Basketball Association. Prior to the NBA, Okafor attended Houston's Bellaire High School, and the University of Connecticut.-Early life:Okafor...
2004–Present - Ollie, KevinKevin OllieKevin Jermaine Ollie is an American former professional basketball player. He played for eleven National Basketball Association franchises in thirteen seasons...
1997–2010 - Patterson, Worthy 1957-1957
- Price, A.J.A. J. PriceAnthony Jordan "A.J." Price , is an American professional basketball player at point guard for the Indiana Pacers of the NBA. He was born in Orange, New Jersey and raised in East Massapequa, New York...
2009–Present - Robinson, CliffordClifford R. RobinsonClifford "Cliff" Ralph Robinson is a former American professional basketball player, formerly of the National Basketball Association.-Highlights:...
1989-2006 - Smith, ChrisChris Smith (basketball)Christopher 'Chris' Gerard Smith is an American former professional basketball player, in the point guard position.-Basketball career:Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Smith played collegiately at the University of Connecticut...
1992-1994 - Thabeet, HasheemHasheem ThabeetHasheem Thabeet is a Tanzanian professional basketball player. He currently plays for the Houston Rockets of the NBA. He was drafted as the 2nd pick overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2009 NBA Draft after playing with the Connecticut Huskies...
2009–Present - Thompson, CornyCorny ThompsonCornelius "Corny" Allen Thompson is a retired American professional basketball player. He was a 6'8" 225 lb power forward who occasionally also played the center position...
1982-1982 - Villanueva, CharlieCharlie VillanuevaCharlie Alexander Villanueva is an American basketball player who currently plays for the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association....
2005–Present - Voskuhl, JakeJake VoskuhlRobert Jacob "Jake" Voskuhl is an American professional basketball center.After attending Strake Jesuit College Preparatory, Voskuhl went to the University of Connecticut from 1996–2000, where he was the starting center on the school's 1999 NCAA National Championship team. The squad also featured...
2000–2009 - Williams, Marcus 2006–2010
Season-by-season
- 2010–11 Connecticut Huskies men's basketball team2010–11 Connecticut Huskies men's basketball teamThe 2010–11 Connecticut Huskies men's basketball team represented the University of Connecticut in the 2010–2011 NCAA Division I basketball season. The Huskies were coached by Jim Calhoun and played their home games at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut, and on campus at the Harry A. Gampel...
- 2009–10 Connecticut Huskies men's basketball team2009–10 Connecticut Huskies men's basketball teamThe 2009–10 Connecticut Huskies men's basketball team represented the University of Connecticut in the 2009–2010 NCAA Division I basketball season. The Huskies were coached by Jim Calhoun and played their home games at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut, and on campus at the Harry A. Gampel...
- 2008–09 Connecticut Huskies men's basketball team2008–09 Connecticut Huskies men's basketball teamThe 2008–2009 Connecticut Huskies men's basketball team represented the University of Connecticut in the 2008–2009 NCAA Division I basketball season. Coached by Jim Calhoun, the Huskies played their home games at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut, and on campus at the Harry A...
- 2007–08 Connecticut Huskies men's basketball team
- 2003–04 Connecticut Huskies men's basketball team2003–04 Connecticut Huskies men's basketball teamThe 2003–2004 Connecticut Huskies men's basketball team represented the University of Connecticut in the 2003–2004 NCAA Division I basketball season. Coached by Jim Calhoun, the Huskies played their home games at the Hartford Civic Center in Hartford, Connecticut, and on campus at the Harry A....
- 1998–99 Connecticut Huskies men's basketball team1998–99 Connecticut Huskies men's basketball teamThe 1998–1999 Connecticut Huskies men's basketball team represented the University of Connecticut in the 1998–1999 NCAA Division I basketball season. Coached by Jim Calhoun, the Huskies played their home games at the Hartford Civic Center in Hartford, Connecticut, and on campus at the Harry A....