The Connecticut Huskies won over the Kentucky Wildcats to win its fourth national title on April 7, 2014. The game finished 60-54 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, USA Today writes.
Shabazz Napier scored 22 points and subsequently named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four. Ryan Boatright scored 14 points to win the NCAA Men's Basketball National championship for University of Connecticut. Connecticut led throughout the game, with the biggest gap at 15 points during the first half. Kentucky managed to cut the lead to one before trailing again, according to a report by Fox News.
Aaron Harrison of the Wildcats missed a three-point shot which could have given his team the lead. Among the factors that led to Kentucky's loss was 11 missed free throws. The team only shot 13 for 24 while UConn shot a perfect 10 for 10. Lasan Kromah shot two final free throws with 25.1 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
Coach John Calipari said after the game, We had our chances to win." He added, "We're missing shots, we're missing free throws. We just didn't have enough." in a report by Yahoo! Sports.
Napier kneeled down and touch the floor with his forehead for several minutes after the final buzzer rang. He was crying in joy while cutting down the net. He said that the whole team enjoyed the experience and winning was the "most special feeling ever."
The UConn women's team is also set to play for the national title on April 8, 2014. The last time one school swept both titles was in 2004, also won by the University of Connecticut.
The Huskies were not actually favored to win the NCAA in 2014, after they were barred for one year from March Madness due to grades problems. They turned out to be very eager to play and win after the hiatus. Napier said to the crowd and on TV, "You're looking at the hungry Huskies." He added, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is what happens when you ban us."
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