Donovan Clingan, Tristen Newton, and the top-seeded Huskies easily beat Northwestern 75-58 on Sunday night to reach the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
Newton scored 20 points and had 10 assists, while Clingan got 14 points, 14 rebounds, and eight blocks. UConn led the entire game and is the first defending national champion to make it to the regional semifinals since Duke in 2016.
Coach Dan Hurley praised his team’s performance, especially their dominance inside the paint. The Huskies, with a record of 33-3, matched the most wins in a season set by the 2013-14 national title team.
They will face San Diego State on Thursday night in Boston, which is close to UConn’s campus. UConn guard Cam Spencer expressed excitement about reaching this stage of the tournament and is focused on the next game.
Last year’s championship-winning team lost some key players to the NBA, but this season’s team appears even stronger, aiming to become the first program to win back-to-back NCAA championships since Florida in 2007.
Northwestern, with several injured players, couldn’t keep up with UConn’s pace and power. Despite a late push, they couldn’t reduce the margin to less than 16 points.
Although Brooks Barnhizer scored 18 points for Northwestern, they couldn’t overcome UConn’s dominance. This loss means Northwestern has never reached the Sweet 16 in its NCAA Tournament history.
With Creighton and Marquette also winning in the second round, UConn’s victory ensures all three Big East teams that made the NCAAs are in the regional semifinals. Despite struggling with 3-point shots, UConn’s strong defense and Clingan’s performance were enough to secure the win.
Northwestern, missing two starters due to injuries, had no answer to Clingan’s presence on the court. UConn’s victory marks their 19th appearance in the Sweet 16, showing their consistency in the tournament. UConn’s dominance continued from their first-round victory, and they’ve now won 39 of their last 42 games since last season’s NCAA Tournament.
Northwestern couldn’t keep up with UConn’s strong start, and the Huskies maintained their lead throughout the game. UConn’s defense, led by Stephon Castle and Hassan Diarra, effectively shut down Northwestern’s top scorers.
Northwestern struggled to score, with their leading scorer Boo Buie unable to make an impact. UConn went into halftime with a commanding lead of 40-18.
UConn’s relentless offensive and defensive efforts continued into the second half, maintaining their significant lead over Northwestern. Despite a few attempts by the Wildcats to narrow the gap, UConn’s solid defense and efficient scoring kept them in control of the game.
Stephon Castle and Hassan Diarra’s defensive prowess limited Northwestern’s scoring opportunities, frustrating their attempts to mount a comeback. Buoyed by their strong performance, UConn’s players remained focused and determined to secure their spot in the Sweet 16.
As the final buzzer sounded, UConn celebrated their victory, marking another successful step in their journey through the NCAA Tournament. With their eyes set on the next challenge, the Huskies look forward to facing San Diego State in the regional semifinals, eager to continue their pursuit of another championship title.
