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UConn! Huskies! UConn! Huskies! That call-and-response was bellowed out more than a few times Monday night, rallying the crowd at Colony Grill on the Post Road in Fairfield. The first rang out even before the Huskies 53-41 victory over the Butler Bulldogs in the NCAA Mens Basketball Championship game. University of Connecticut grad Paul Emerson (Class of 08) and his friend Mike Bernardes led the first chant while CBS fixture Jim Nantz announced the Huskies starting five.
Though his fandom was unquestioned, Paul was not prepared to predict a UConn victory before the final buzzer. I dont want to jinx it, he said. Fellow UConn grad Andy Awlasewicz, however, was much bolder. I think we got it, Andy said before the tipoff. Its destiny.
Andys confidence was well founded, as the Huskies won their third national title and their first since 2004. That year, UConn became the first school to win both the mens and the womens championship in basketball. The Huskies came close but had no such luck this year, with the ladies 72-63 loss to Notre Dame on Sunday night in the semifinals.
Its a shame what happened to the girls, said Leo Mueller, another UConn alum who came out to watch the game at Archie Moores around the corner. I wasnt going to come out tonight, but I was drawn to the game.
The womens loss Sunday was only their second in the past three seasons and ended their run for a third straight championship. It was the men who most expected to finish their season early, having lost nine games and finishing ninth in the 16-team Big East Conference before their 11-game winning streak in the conference and NCAA tournaments.
Though many would have liked to see a second double championship, fans were still celebrating in Fairfields bars Monday night. As UConn alum Archan Bhavser said, Ive been waiting for this since 2004.
What did you think of Mondays national championship game? Where did you watch it? Share your reactions in the comments below.
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