Stephon Castle, No. 1 UConn Rout Stetson as CBB Fans Predict Back-to-Back NCAA Titles
Jack MurrayMarch 22, 2024
Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images
It was business as usual in the first round of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament for the UConn Huskies.
The defending champions entered the tournament having won seven consecutive games, including the Big East Championship Game, and strolled into the tournament as the No. 1 overall seed. That set up a date with No. 16 seed Stetson University and the Huskies did not take their foot off the gas pedal, exploding for a dominant 91-52 victory to advance to the second round.
UConn Men’s Basketball @UConnMBBFirst round in the books.#MadeForMarch | #MixForSix pic.twitter.com/xYBoMDvG2q
NCAA March Madness @MarchMadnessMBB(1) UCONN ROLLS INTO THE SECOND ROUND 💪
The Huskies put up a dominant performance against (16) Stetson, winning 91-52! #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/KE0v0RobJa
The Huskies took a huge 52-19 lead at halftime and managed the big lead throughout the second half against the Hatters. This was the second-largest halftime lead in the NCAA Tournament in 20 years:
Jeff Borzello @jeffborzelloUConn’s 33-point halftime lead is the second-largest NCAA tournament halftime lead in the last 20 years, per @ESPNStatsInfo. Gonzaga led Fairleigh Dickinson by 36 in 2019. https://t.co/rL7YfvfEy9
Despite earning the huge lead, head coach Dan Hurley still saw room for improvement from his Huskies.
March Madness Men’s Basketball TV @MM_MBB_TV.@UConnMBB with the lead!
Coach Dan Hurley speaks with @tracywolfson after the end of the first half. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/pYINciEAhy
Stephon Castle had 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting and 1-of-2 from three-point range while also adding five rebounds and four assists. Cam Spencer had 15 points, five rebounds and three assists, Donovan Clingan had 19 points with eight rebounds and four assists and Tristen Newton had 13 points, eight assists and three rebounds.
UConn Men’s Basketball @UConnMBBDC throws it down! #MadeForMarch | #MixForSix pic.twitter.com/DCyBh09Rnz
Fans took to social media to hype up the Huskies as repeat candidates.
OutOfSightSports🚀™️ @OOSSportsNew year, same vibes for UConn… 😤👀 🐕 #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/6anwC7V1Dx
No Escalators @NoEscalatorsEarly returns are that UConn is in fact better. https://t.co/pYThtiZ8WK pic.twitter.com/utmp4lvypW
Mr. Smith 👑 @BadChoiceMilkAs long as we win by 30 and everyone’s healthy, I’ll be happy… #UConn
The Silent Cartographer @enby_cat_zaddyThis #UConn game 😳 pic.twitter.com/IU1pbEy2rz
Andre Young @Yo_GeeeUConn so elite
SBR @SBR_betsUConn still having all 5 starters in up 30 with 7 minutes left is hilarious
Jaden Daly @DalyDoseOfHoopsThis game is all but, to quote the late great Chuck Hearn, in the refrigerator, but certain people (Hurley) will probably find fault with something later on. The perfectionism is a beautiful thing sometimes.#UConn is up 74-42 with 7:15 to go. #BleedBlue
The Driving Kroner @T_nelsUConn diving for loose balls with a 37 point lead, nobody is beating them I’m afraid
epark88 @epark88Alex Karaban, now playing defense with his feet as well as his chest. You love to see it.
Let’s go… #MarchMadness#UConn #BleedBlue
The Huskies have passed the first test, but their next opponent showed some toughness in its first round matchup.
Connecticut will face Northwestern in the second round. The Wildcats took down Florida Atlantic, a team that reached the Final Four last season, 77-65 in overtime. The winner will advance to the Sweet 16 games in Boston.
Ok