In a heartbreaking 77-75 loss to Florida in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, the UConn Huskies' season comes to an end, thus ending their quest for a three-peat.
It has been over one thousand days since UConn's last loss in the NCAA Tournament, 70-63 against New Mexico State in 2022. The fanbase has certainly been spoiled over the last two years winning back to back championships, so do not feel discouraged; the program has risen to the top as a blue blood in college basketball.
Facing the #1 seed in the West Region, Florida, expectations were not too high going into this game, but seniors Alex Karaban, Hassan Diarra, and Samson Johnson played their hearts out, leaving it all on the floor. "We played with honor. The way coach wants us to play, we played that way," Alex Karaban said after the loss.
In the first half, the Huskies were very active defensively, forcing 9 turnovers and holding Florida to 38% from the field. The Gators led the nation in points per game. After a Diarra three, the game was tied going into halftime.
In the second half, UConn went cold. A four-minute scoreless streak for the Huskies helped Florida regain the lead. Late efforts were not enough for the Huskies, and Walter Clayton Jr. hit a big three to seal the deal for the Gators. Liam McNeeley finished with a team-high 22 points and shot 100% from the charity stripe.
Fighting back tears postgame, Dan Hurley held his players in the highest regard. Despite controversies all season and the added media attention, Hurley is a genuine coach that cares about his team and the game of basketball.
"Until Alex Karaban put on the uniform, Hass, and Samson...the players change your life."
Samson Johnson was physical on the glass, leading to his second career double-double (both came in March). "[Dan Hurley] changed my life. I'm forever grateful for that," Johsnon said after the game. Diarra put it all on the floor in his last game as a Husky, "It's an honor to wear this jersey. It's tough to take it off," he said postgame.
The loss puts a lot into perspective. Hopefully, some retrospection amongst the team can put UConn on a path to rebuild and regain the title as the top dog in college basketball. This offseason, there will probably be some changes; players hitting the transfer portal, Karaban's potential NBA Draft declaration, and the potential of adding more depth through the portal.
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