UConn opens March Madness run with 95-52 rout of Vermont

In a display of sheer dominance, the University of Connecticut (UConn) opened its NCAA Tournament campaign with an emphatic 95-52 victory over the University of Vermont (UVM).

The Huskies, buoyed by a vociferous home crowd, raced out of the blocks to take a commanding lead in the first half, one that the Catamounts were unable to overcome. UConn’s defensive prowess was on full display, as their stifling press and tight rotations limited UVM to a mere 29.6% shooting from the floor, and just 19.4% from beyond the arc.

On the offensive end, UConn was just as proficient, as they shot a healthy 47.5% from the field and a remarkable 45.5% from deep. They managed to score a staggering 1.41 points per possession, a testament to the efficiency of their ball movement and player movement.

The Huskies were led by the dynamic duo of Christian Vital and Jalen Adams, who combined for 50 points and 8 assists. Vital was particularly impressive, as he shot an impressive 8-13 from three-point range and added 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals. Adams, meanwhile, was a menace on the defensive end, registering 4 steals and 2 blocks on the night.

The victory marks UConn’s first NCAA Tournament win since 2016 and sets up a second-round matchup against Iowa. Given their impressive performance against UVM, the Huskies will no doubt be confident of continuing their run and making a deep run in the tournament.