Sports Editor
In
one of the most improbable NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament runs in recent
history, the seventh seeded University of Connecticut Huskies fought past the
University of Kentucky Wildcats to claim their fourth national championship in
the last fifteen years, winning by a score of 60-54. Senior guard Shabazz
Napier led the charge for the Huskies, posting 22 points, six rebounds, and three
assists and taking home the honor of Most Outstanding Player.
The
Wildcats, made up of nearly all freshmen, were counted out early in the season
but found themselves as an eight seed in the tournament. From there they put
together a magnificent run through the “Region of Death,” which included last
year’s champion Louisville, last year’s runner-up Michigan, and undefeated
Wichita State. Kentucky pulled off two straight incredible last second three
pointers to beat Michigan and Wisconsin, both coming from freshman guard Aaron
Harrison.
However,
the Wildcats just didn’t have enough magic left in them to withstand the
Huskies’ tenacious defense led by forward DeAndre Daniels, who helped show down
Kentucky freshman phenom Julius Randle. UConn led throughout the entire game,
withstanding every furious rally that the Wildcats tried to put together.
Napier hit the clutch threes when they needed them, and when forward Lasan
Kromah hit a field goal to give UConn a six point lead with 25 seconds to go,
the Huskies were already celebrating. Kentucky’s last ditch efforts fell short,
and UConn walked away with the most unlikely of national championships.
