By: Reagan McLean and Jaida Dent
Now that the college basketball season is over, it is officially time for the playoffs. March Madness is the tournament every college basketball fan waits for. March Madness is the shortened term used to describe the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament. Each team participating has a shot at winning the national championship. During the 2025 NCAA tournament, the University of Connecticut (UConn) won its twelfth national championship and remained undefeated in the regular season.
Taking a look into UConn’s legacy, their loss in the 2026 tournament sets their next year up for potential success.
In 1995, UConn won its first national championship, adding to its win count with a winning streak from 2002 to 2004 and again from 2013 to 2016. UConn has produced the most Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players and draft picks in the association’s history. With the team winning a championship last season, sports viewers are wondering if they can do it again.
After the 2025 national championship, the UConn Huskies were a dominant team not only in the Big East but in non-conference play.
The team has been known to be highly supportive of each other. Sophomore forward Sarah Strong shared her appreciation for her on-bench players in a post-game interview.
“They made a really great impact when they came in the game, they were ready when they were called on, so that’s really important for us. The special thing about our team is that anyone can come in and make a difference, make a big impact.”
The Huskies were on a successful run until their game against Notre Dame on Jan. 19. Although they won 70-52, it was one of the first real challenges they faced in the tournament.
After a Notre Dame player shared a negative response to being fouled, UConn missed 11 consecutive shots.
The Huskies would begin the tournament in dominant fashion against the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) on March 21, winning 90-52. Although standout player and senior guard Azzi Fudd and junior guard Kamoera Arnold were in foul trouble in the first half, the bench secured 36 points for the win. Forward Blanca Quinonez, an international player on UConn’s roster, had 10 points on an 18-1 run for the Huskies and ended the game with 15 points, five rebounds, three steals, and two blocked shots.
“I just tried to approach the game the same way we did the last couple of games, just tried to play hard, aggressive, and just try to do the best for our team, so just locked in like everybody,” Quinonez said in a post-game interview.
In the second round, UConn would face Syracuse University and win with a score of 98-45 on March 23. This game would be Fudd’s final home game as a collegiate athlete ahead of the WNBA Draft on April 13. Fudd had a massive comeback game with 26 points scored in the first half. Fudd scored a total of 34 points, four steals, five assists, and three rebounds. Sarah Strong had 18 points and nine rebounds, and Blance Quinonez had a total of 18 points and three rebounds.
When asked about Fudd’s performance, Strong said, “I mean, it’s kind of what Azzi does, does not miss, but I’m happy to see her at her most confident self. It’s going to be really important in the long run, and just really happy for her.”
The Huskies would go on to win both their Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games against the University of North Carolina (63-42) and the University of Notre Dame (70-52).
The Final Four took place on April 3 at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Arizona, with the Huskies facing the South Carolina Gamecocks. These two teams already had a history of playing against each other, with UConn beating South Carolina last season during the regular season and the national championship.
With dreams of retaining their national title, the Huskies lost this round and the tournament 48-62, as the Gamecocks played hard defense to cement their spot in the championship finals.
During the post-game press conference, Fudd reflected on being a student participating in March Madness, stating, “A lot of emotions. I mean, obviously, this isn’t how I wanted my career at UConn to end. These five years, I have so much to be grateful for. I couldn’t have asked for better teammates, better coaches, a better experience.”
With UConn falling short of winning another championship, this season doesn’t disqualify all of the hard work they’ve put into being a strong team. This shows the foundation laid for future success within the program.