After Paige Bueckers left, the Huskies were expected to face a major void, but that hasn’t been the case. Instead, the team earned the No. 1 overall seed in the 2026 NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018.

They entered the meet with a perfect 34–0 record. However, that improved to 35–0 after their 90-52 win against the UTSA Roadrunners today. UConn's stellar performance highlighted several factors behind their success, and here are five of them that need to be taken note of.

UConn’s Defense Never Disappoints

Ranked No. 1 in defense, allowing just 50.4 points per game, UConn once again showed its strength. That’s because the opponent team struggled to get into the paint and find rhythm.

Even with a slow shooting start, UConn’s full-court pressure disrupted the offense. Notably, the Huskies forced 19 turnovers in the first half alone.

And by the time the game ended, UConn had already forced 25 turnovers and scored 35 points from them. 

Sarah Strong Was the Standout Star

Sarah Strong led all scorers with 18 points. But her impact went beyond scoring. She added five rebounds, four assists, and five steals. So it won’t be wrong to say that Strong was everywhere on the court.

But that’s not it. The 20-year-old even made history tonight by becoming the first UConn player to record 600 points and 100 steals in a single season. Much more might be on the way! 

Depth and Bench Production Shine

So far, the LSU Tigers lead in‌ bench production overall, but today, UConn proved it’s not far behind. That’s because, despite Fudd being limited by foul trouble, UConn never slowed down. 

All thanks to contributions from players like Blanca Quiñonez and Serah Williams. Notably, the bench added 36 points in the 90-point performance. This clearly showed that UConn can dominate even when key players are off rhythm.

Azzi Fudd’s Struggles Didn’t Matter

Well, Fudd picked up three early fouls and struggled offensively, finishing with just seven points. But that didn’t affect UConn much as the team remained in control. 

The system and supporting cast stepped up. But, for sure, the projected No. 1 pick needs to analyse the game! 

UConn’s Tournament Pedigree Stands Tall

With today’s win, UConn not just dominated but proved a lot of things. The team extended its first-round winning streak to 32 under Geno. 

And their 90–52 blowout reinforced why the Huskies dominated the seeds this year.

So while UConn remains one of the most formidable teams in the tournament, do you think they will manage to have the last laugh by winning the title?

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Written by

Yashika Dutta

Edited by

Souvik Roy