The University of Connecticut yesterday defeated Butler University 53-41 at Reliant Stadium in Houston to claim its third men’s college basketball championship. Connecticut dominated the Bulldogs from the word go and completely outplayed them. Butler was held to 19 percent shooting, hitting 12 of 64 shots, their worse record so far. “We knew that we could really defend them,” Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun said during the trophy presentation ceremony. “The major adjustment was we were going to out-will them and outwork them, and eventually we outplayed them.”
The 68-year-old Calhoun created history becoming the oldest coach to win a championship. He also became the fifth coach to win the NCAA tournament three or more times. He joins John Wooden (10), Adolph Rupp (4), Mike Krzyzewski (4) and Bob Knight (3). Calhoun has led UConn to national titles in 1999 and 2004.
Kemba Walker scored 16 points, while freshman Jeremy Lamb added 12 points. “Credit UConn for defending the way they do,” Butler coach Brad Stevens said at a news conference. “They challenged shots better than any team we played all year.” Butler had the opportunity to become the first national champion from outside college sports’ six major conferences since the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 1990, but the failed to breach UConn’s strong defense. “It’s very frustrating when you have your chances and you let it slip away. The ball just wasn’t falling in,” said Butler guard Shelvin Mack. Bulldogs senior forward Matt Howard missed 12 of 13 shots and contributed only seven points. Yesterday’s important win was the Huskies 11 consecutive wins in less than a month.
“We had a lot of doubters. The Big East tournament we came out strong and we got a lot of confidence and kind of felt unstoppable. We were right, we were unstoppable and now we’re national champions,” remarked Walker.
