Spring Break
The Storrs Side: Huskies look to break free of tournament slump
Russell Blair
Issue date: 3/19/09 Section: Sports
In 2004 when UConn won its second men's basketball national championship in four years, Storrs became "The Mecca" of college basketball. Since the Huskies cut down the nets on April 5, 2004, they have won only five postseason games.
Despite receiving a No. 2 seed in 2005, the No. 1 overall in 2006 and a No. 4 in 2008, UConn has failed to return to the Final Four.
While the absence of Emeka Okafor and Ben Gordon - both of whom left for the NBA draft - hurt the 2005 squad, they still managed a 23-8 regular season including wins over Pittsburgh, Villanova and Syracuse. In the first round the Huskies barely skirted past No. 15 seed UCF, almost squandering a 19-point lead. They were subsequently bounced in the second round by No. 10 seed N.C. State 65-62.
In 2006 many people considered the Huskies to be destined for their third national title. After nearly losing to No. 16 seed Albany in the first round - the Great Danes led by 12 with 11 minutes to go - the Huskies finally closed the door. After dispatching of Kentucky in the second round UConn barely slipped by the University of Washington before falling in the Elite Eight to No. 11 seed George Mason, allowing the Patriots to become just the second double-digit seed to make the Final Four.
Last but not least, in 2008 UConn lost three of their last six heading into the tournament, but still managed to pick up a No. 4 seed and a matchup with San Diego in the first round. One overtime and an A.J. price torn ACL later, the Huskies were knocked in the first round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1976.
With the 2009 NCAA Tournament tipping off today, the Huskies will look to redeem themselves and vanquish their postseason slump.
Despite receiving a No. 2 seed in 2005, the No. 1 overall in 2006 and a No. 4 in 2008, UConn has failed to return to the Final Four.
While the absence of Emeka Okafor and Ben Gordon - both of whom left for the NBA draft - hurt the 2005 squad, they still managed a 23-8 regular season including wins over Pittsburgh, Villanova and Syracuse. In the first round the Huskies barely skirted past No. 15 seed UCF, almost squandering a 19-point lead. They were subsequently bounced in the second round by No. 10 seed N.C. State 65-62.
In 2006 many people considered the Huskies to be destined for their third national title. After nearly losing to No. 16 seed Albany in the first round - the Great Danes led by 12 with 11 minutes to go - the Huskies finally closed the door. After dispatching of Kentucky in the second round UConn barely slipped by the University of Washington before falling in the Elite Eight to No. 11 seed George Mason, allowing the Patriots to become just the second double-digit seed to make the Final Four.
Last but not least, in 2008 UConn lost three of their last six heading into the tournament, but still managed to pick up a No. 4 seed and a matchup with San Diego in the first round. One overtime and an A.J. price torn ACL later, the Huskies were knocked in the first round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1976.
With the 2009 NCAA Tournament tipping off today, the Huskies will look to redeem themselves and vanquish their postseason slump.
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