Big Dance Warm-Ups 💃

03/12/2024

By: Jeff Yoder

UConn Captures 11th Straight Big East Crown, Final AP Polls Before Selection Sunday

Even in a “down year,” there’s no touching UConn. Geno Auriemma’s Huskies put the finishing touches on another Big East Tournament run Monday night with a 36-point rout against Georgetown (78-42) to take their 11th consecutive conference title. Paige Bueckers — who’s returning next season — poured in 27 points in the championship game. UConn (29-5) hasn’t been the same untouchable powerhouse as year’s past, but they’re starting to click. The Huskies’ only two losses since Jan. 1 came against #1 South Carolina and #15 Notre Dame. They blitzed the Big East tourney with three wins of 30-plus, defeating Providence (86-53), Marquette (58-29), and then Georgetown. Bueckers had 83 points in all three games (29, 27 and 27) to earn the Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. Expect a 2-seed for UConn in next week’s NCAA bracket, and that’s a dangerous squad on the 2-line.

Watch: #10 UConn Wins 11th Straight Big East Title With Rout of Georgetown (78-42)

Other Conference Tournaments

W-BIG12: Iowa State def. #17 Oklahoma (85-68)

W-BIG12: #5 Texas def. #16 Kansas State (71-64)

M-WCC: #21 Saint Mary’s def. Santa Clara (79-65)

M-WCC: #17 Gonzaga def. San Francisco (89-77)

Final Pre-Bracket Polls

Men’s AP Poll

1. Houston (28-3) | —

2. UConn (28-3) | —

3. Purdue (28-3) | —

4. North Carolina (25-6) | ↑3