UConn’s Historic Victory: Routs Gonzaga 82-54 to Secure 1st Final Four in 9 Years

Jordan Hawkins scored 20 points and UConn rocked their fourth opponent in the NCAA Tournament, making it to the Final Four for the first time in nine years with a huge 82-54 win over Gonzaga.

UConn was having an average season before this March Madness run, but now they are playing some of their best ever basketball!

UConn’s coach Dan Hurley said that the Big East Conference was really tough but once they left it and started playing against other teams, UConn went back to being the best team in the nation. The Bulldogs were overpowered by UConn in the West Region final game and UConn had a huge 23-point lead early in the second half which helped them reach the next part of their bracket.

The two previous times UConn was in the NCAA Tournament, they weren’t successful. But this year’s team, which consists of really great players, will be playing either Texas or Miami in Houston. If you are playing for UConn Coach Hurley, you have to give it your all otherwise you won’t be part of the team. That is what guard Andre Jackson Jr. said.

The Bulldogs had a really hard time in the second half of their game against UConn. With Drew Timme getting a fourth foul early in the second half, they allowed UConn to lead by seven at halftime. They ended up shooting 33% from the field and only managed to make 2 out of 20 three-pointers. This was enough to prevent them from going to the Final Four for their third time since 2017.

Timme got 12 points and 10 rebounds in his last college match, receiving an enthusiastic response from the crowd when he was taken out with 1 minute 50 seconds remaining.

Alex Karaban scored 12 points and Adama Sanogo had 10 points plus 10 rebounds for UConn.

The Zags started off the game a bit shaky, with two missed 3-pointers and a wild shot by Timme. Once they snapped out of it, they kept the Huskies under control with their defensive play – staying close when their opponents tried to make screens and having Timme stay back to protect the lane.

UConn got the ball to Sanogo, their big man, and he was able to get five assists in the first-half of the game which included two for layups. Karaban made a 3-pointer when time was running out before halftime, which gave UConn a 39-32 lead over Gonzaga.

Gonzaga’s problems only grew during the second half when UConn further extended their lead by 12 points and Timme got his third and fourth fouls during the opening 2 1/2 minutes – one while trying to defend someone and another while boxing out under the rim.

The Huskies suddenly got energized when Timme took a break, using their defense to get the ball moving quickly and take lots of shots from beyond the 3-point line. UConn scored 14 points without reply, pushing them up 60-37 and coaches of Gonzaga (Mark Few) thought it best to bring Timme back into play. But this didn’t lead to any changes in the game. The Huskies kept up their fast pace and made plenty of shots – showing signs that they might win it all in the end!

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