UConn fans gather to celebrate another basketball championship

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Thousands of fans filled the streets of downtown Hartford Saturday to celebrate the UConn men’s basketball team after its second straight NCAA championship, its sixth in the last 25 last years.

Players and coaches paraded in a double-decker bus with an open-air roof and raised the national title trophy from the state Capitol to the XL Center, the arena in which the team plays about half of its home matches. The procession included marching bands, cheerleaders, first responders, top state politicians and other groups as fans shouted and waved UConn signs.

The celebration followed Monday’s 75-60 victory over Purdue, which capped one of the most dominant two-year series in NCAA Tournament history, one in which the Huskies won all 12 matches they played in double figures.

Coach Dan Hurley, who spent the week denying he was considering leaving the program for another school, told the crowd he was focused on a third straight championship, as he and the players spoke of short speeches outside the arena.

“The champions are here today in Hartford with the best fans in the world,” Hurley said. “Basketball Capital of the World – Storrs, Connecticut.” Back-to-back champions. Back-to-back champions. … Some of the greatest players to ever wear a UConn uniform are here, and next year we’re going for the triple! Let’s go!”

Donovan Clingan, the 7-foot-2 sophomore center who announced Friday he was leaving UConn and entering the NBA draft, thanked fans and said their support helped fuel the title race.

“I appreciate you guys,” the Bristol, Connecticut, native said. “You have been my best fans for the past two years. I will cherish these moments for the rest of my life. I will be a Husky for life. I love you guys.”

The team will also lose Final Four MVP Tristen Newton and Cam Spencer, who were no longer eligible at the end of the season. Alongside Clingan, freshman Stephon Castle could be a lottery pick in this summer’s NBA draft if he also decides to leave.

“Thank you for all the support you have given me over the last two years and for your support of the team,” Newton told the crowd. “Without you guys, back to back wouldn’t have been possible.”

It was the 15th victory parade for UConn, which, in addition to its six men’s basketball national championships, has won 11 women’s basketball titles over the past 30 years.

There were joint parades in 2004 and 2014 when UConn won the men’s and women’s titles in the same season – the only Division I school to accomplish this feat.

The UConn men and women are 17-1 in NCAA basketball title games.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, who hinted this week that Hurley would get a pay raise, joined the team on the double-decker bus and at the podium.

“Hey America, this is what the basketball capital of America looks like. Here. Let’s hear it for the Huskies. …We are the champions My friends.”