The art of becoming a dynasty is something that most teams, franchises, and programs will never accomplish but there’s a team in the Northeast that’s developing a modern day version. On April 9th, the University of Connecticut validated its mark as one of college basketball's premier dynasties. After a historic run for the UCONN men's basketball team capped with a 60-54 victory over the Kentucky Wildcats on Monday, the UCONN women's program completed a sweep of the tournament as the Lady Huskies defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 79-58 to secure national titles for the program in both genders for the first time since 2004. Over the years, college basketball seen its share of winners and losers during the span of the NCAA tournament dating back to the 1930’s for the men and the 1980’s for the women. As for the University of Connecticut, their remarkable journey started in 1995 and their program have given Huskies fans hope of winning titles in both men and women’s basketball. If you’re not convinced that UCONN is on the verge of becoming a modern day dynasty, hop into the DeLorean as we review the accomplishments of historic programs and legendary coaches.
 |
| Indiana coach Bobby Knight throws a chair across the floor during Indiana's 72-63 loss to Purdue on Feb. 23, 1985. |
Adolph Rupp started it all with Kentucky as he led the Wildcats to back to back national championships in 1948 and 1949. Rupp also won two more championships in 1951 and 1958 and ranks 5th in all time wins as a head coach while Kentucky as a school has eight championships, second behind UCLA. During the mid-1960 and 1970's, John Wooden arrived on the scene and won a remarkable ten national championships in 12 years at UCLA. The Bruins won seven consecutive titles from 1967-1973 and posted four undefeated seasons under Wooden. Another program, the Indiana Hoosiers, was led by head coach Bobby Knight whose antics sometimes diminished some of his work but he was a tremendous coach. Under Knight, the Hoosiers was one of college basketball’s top programs and would win national titles in 1976, 1981, and 1987.
 |
| The 1992 Duke Blue Devils won their second straight national title by beating Kansas. (AP Photo) |
The next era took place in the infamous “Tar-Heel State” as North Carolina and Duke didn’t just make a mark on the ACC but on college basketball for years to come. Head coaches Dean Smith and Mike Krzyzewski developed the programs into power houses. Smith won two National Titles in 1982 and 1993. In the 1990’s, North Carolina continued to build their reputation as one of college basketball's elite programs as Smith and UNC made four FInal appearances in 1991, 1993, 1995, and 1997 and of course won the national title over the “Fab Five” Michigan Wolverines in the controversial 1993 National Championship Game. Dean Smith also had the pleasure of coaching arguably the Greatest NBA players of all time, Michael Jordan. Mike Krzyzewski, better known as “Coach K” turned Duke into one of college basketball’s most respected programs in the nation. He led the Blue Devils to consecutive national titles in 1991 and 1992 and appeared in the Final Four six times from 1988-1994.
 |
| Apr 8, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Connecticut Huskies center Stefanie Dolson (31) hugs head coach Geno Auriemma after the championship game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Final Four in the 2014 NCAA Womens Division I Championship tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Connecticut Huskies won 79-58. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports(Photo: Jim Brown Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports) |
As we continue, words can’t be expressed for how valuable for what Pat Summitt did not only Tennessee Lady Vol’s programs but women’s basketball. Summit was as tough as nails, which reflected in her teams and set the bar for women's hoops forever. Summitt won (8) national championships while at Tennessee and they never missed the tournament under her helm as head coach. Tennessee posted a three peat from 1996-1998. After having the record as her own for years, Pat Summitt now is second place with her all-time record of eight national titles as Connecticut's Geno Auriemma earned his ninth national title. Auriemma led the Huskies once again to the promise land and atop of women's college basketball. The Huskies captured back to back titles for the second time in five years, the Lady Huskies also won consecutive titles in 2009 and 2010. Geno also has a three peat of championships from 2002-2004. Almost thirty years later, UCONN is now one of the top programs not only in women’s basketball but in women’s sports history. The Lady Huskies also posted five undefeated seasons, including their recent championship season, also a glorious 90 game win streak that I’m sure will never be broken whether it is men's or women's basketball. He is one of the best coaches I’ve ever seen the players that emerge from his college such as Maya Moore are tremendous players. Geno has produced top caliber players in the WNBA such as Rebecca Lobo, Sue Bird, Swin Cash, Diana Taurasi and Maya Moore. Now 9-0 in national championship games, the Lady Huskies are set to make their second three peat once the 2014-15 season starts.
 |
| Connecticut head coach Kevin Ollie displays the net to the crowd after cutting it down after the regional final against Michigan State in the NCAA college basketball tournament Sunday, March 30, 2014, in New York. Connecticut won 60-54. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) |
The Connecticut men's program is just as historic but with a few less titles. Jim Calhoun started his journey at Connecticut in 1986 but the fun didn't begin until the following season. Calhoun built the Huskies program into one of the well respected teams around the nation. A NIT Championship in his second season was the beginning of a successful future which included NCAA tournament berths and turning Madison Square Garden into UCONN's home away from home during their Big East days. The Huskies also won three national titles in 1999, 2004,and 2011 which established his standard of winning. During his tenure with the Huskies, conference titles and national titles became a way of life at Connecticut. He produced collegiate players to professionals that includes Ray Allen, Richard Hamilton, Caron Butler, Rudy Gay, Emeka Okafor, Ben Gordon, and Kemba Walker to name a few. Calhoun’s proudest former player may be Kevin Ollie. Ollie, a guard at UCONN from 1992-1995, played for Calhoun and understood what it meant to be a Huskie early in his career. He took his knowledge to the NBA where he played several teams, under different coaches, and with different players but he stayed humble and continued to just play basketball. That experience alone can make or break you ; however, it shaped Ollie. After the sanctions were delivered to UCONN, the Connecticut men's basketball team could have folded but they didn't. Coach Ollie experience under Calhoun prior to taking the job showed what a winner’s mentality took as they won the National Title under Calhoun and guard Kemba Walker in 2011. This year's team fought through all the adversity and took out powerhouses such as Villanova, Iowa State, Michigan State, Florida, and Kentucky on their route to their fourth national title and Oliie's first as a head coach.
 |
| The Connecticut Huskies beat the Kentucky Wildcats 60-54 in the NCAA Men’s Final Four Championship Game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on April 7 --- Bob Donnan |
Connecticut basketball is truly a dynasty in both men and women’s basketball, which is rare to accomplish in both respective genders. Also, UCONN has posted a combined 13-0 record in National Championship Games, how amazing is that??? This basketball program have won the national championship in the same season twice, once in 2004 and captured the feat again this season. Both team's leaders Shabazz Napier and Stefanie Dolson stated from the opening tip, they knew they were going to win and having this confidence instilled is yet another benefit of being a Huskie. UCONN takes pride and joy in playing for their university, coaches, and their fans. Many former members of Connecticut's basketball program and the alumni still come out to Storrs and travel all over the country to support their alma mater. In just 20 years, they have produced (13) national champions, over (20) conference titles/ tournament championships , and numerous all-American’s and player of the year athletes. Geno Auriemma, Jim Calhoun and now Kevin Ollie have accomplished and sustained feats that are highly praised with respect and dignity. In the dictionary, a husky is described as "an ever-changing cross-breed of the...fastest dogs" and over the past 20 years, every athlete who stepped on the court at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion have displayed they are truly a "Husky"
No comments:
Post a Comment