During March, the excitement of college basketball peaks. Teams compete in one of the most highly anticipated events in all of sports. March Madness gives college teams all over the country to showcase their talent, skill, and work ethic.

In the middle of all this stands the back-to-back men’s basketball champs, UConn. Last year, UConn won the tournament with ease, blowing by teams such as Illinois, Alabama, and Purdue in the championship. Tristen Newton led UConn in scoring, averaging 15.1 points per game. Newton was a fifth-year senior and was picked in the second round of the 2024 NBA draft. Head coach Dan Hurley spoke very highly of him.

Newton and Cam Spencer even returned to UConn for practice earlier this season.

“It really lifted the spirits of the staff and the team,” Hurley said, according to CT Insider. “To have him around practice yesterday.”

UConn also had many key pieces helping them succeed in last year’s tournament, such as the 7-foot center in Donovan Clingan, who led the team in rebounds with 7 per game. They also had a breakout freshman in Stephon Castle, who averaged 11 ppg.

Losing big pieces like this can really hurt a team, so can UConn three-peat with a new cast of stars? 

UConn has added players like Liam McNeeley, Aidan Mahaney, and Tarris Reed Jr. Although these players have had a positive impact on the team so far, it hasn’t been enough to make UConn elite this year.

This year, UConn suffered tough losses to Big East teams like St. John’s and Xavier. These losses caused them to drop out of the top-25 rankings and receive a lower seed in the NCAA bracket. 

The Huskies earned a No. 8 seed and play No. 9 Oklahoma in the first round of the West Region on Friday night. Although this seems like an easier opponent, if they win, UConn will have to play the winner of the Florida vs. Norfolk St. game.

Florida is the No. 1 seed in the West, and many believe the Gators are the best team in the bracket. 

Although UConn is viewed as an underdog for this year’s tournament, I think with the chemistry they have and the team they have established that they can make a deep run. So don’t be surprised if you see the Huskies back in business in the late rounds, including an upset of No. 1 Florida.

This is the opinion of Isaac Spagnola, a freshman reporter for the Chief Advocate.