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Connecticut Huskies vs San Diego State Aztecs

UConn vs. San Diego State final score, results: Huskies hold off Aztecs to claim fifth national title

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Dan Treacy
• 10 min read
Dan Hurley
(Getty Images)

For the fifth time since 1999, the national championship trophy resides in Storrs, Conn. 

UConn completed one of the most dominant NCAA Tournament runs in college basketball history on Monday night, defeating San Diego State 76-59 to earn their first national title since 2014.

The Huskies built up a 16-point lead against the Aztecs and withstood a late surge that trimmed the margin to five late in the second half. Calm and confident all the way, UConn regained control after a huge 3-pointer by Jordan Hawkins and largely played mistake-free basketball in the final minutes to close out the victory comfortably.

While the Huskies dominated the competition throughout the tournament, winning each game by at least 15 points, they didn't rank among the title favorites when this journey began three weeks ago.

MORE: Watch 2023 NCAA Tournament 'One Shining Moment' video

A No. 4 seed, UConn trailed at halftime of its first round game but quickly proved a championship was within reach. As the favorites fell one-by-one, the Huskies never wavered and refused to crumble under the pressure of being heavy favorites entering the Final Four.

For as much success as UConn has had over the last 25 seasons, this result was far from assured when Dan Hurley took the reins of the program in 2018. The Huskies won just one NCAA Tournament game in the four seasons before Hurley's hiring and fired title-winning coach Kevin Ollie for cause days before Hurley was brought in.

Success wasn't immediate. Hurley didn't reach the tournament at UConn until 2021 and didn't win a tournament game until three weeks ago, but that inexperience never seemed to matter this season. 

Hurley is now a national champion, Adama Sanogo is the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, and the UConn Huskies are the class of college basketball until further notice.

DeCOURCY: Dan Hurley reaches pinnacle in front of his royal family, Husky legends

The Sporting News tracked live scoring updates and highlights from the NCAA championship game between UConn and San Diego State on Monday. Check out all of the key moments you might have missed.

UConn vs. San Diego State score

  1 2 F
UConn 36 40 76
San Diego State 24 35 59

UConn vs. San Diego State live updates, highlights from 2023 NCAA championship game

(All times Eastern)

Final: UConn 76, San Diego State 59

11:37 p.m. — Game over, season over. The UConn Huskies are national champions for the fifth time! Dan Hurley leads the program back from the depths and engineers one of the most dominant title runs in college basketball history.

11:32 p.m. — San Diego State fouls while down 14 with 1:07 left. It's all a formality now.

11:27 p.m. — This one is just about over. Huskies lead by 14 with 2:08 remaining. UConn again looks calm and confident.

11:25 p.m. — This is starting to get away from San Diego State, again thanks to a free throw disparity. It's a 12-point game with under three minutes remaining.

11:20 p.m. — We have an eight-point game at the under-4 timeout. As fun as this has been down the stretch, San Diego State still has a significant hill to climb against this Huskies team. 

11:19 p.m. — Jordan Hawkins buries a HUGE three to extend UConn's lead back to eight. That was a big-time shot.

11:18 p.m. — We have a new best mark for San Diego State: The Aztecs trail by five after free throws.

11:17 p.m. — Turnovers cost the Huskies a chance to regain full control. San Diego State trails by seven.

11:15 p.m. — UConn pushes the lead back to nine thanks to some big free throws.

11:10 p.m. — A three followed by a steal and a layup cuts the Huskies' lead to six! Wow, what a sequence.

11:08 p.m. — San Diego State refuses to go away... It's getting late, but the Aztecs trim the deficit back to 11. They're starting to gain confidence on the offensive end.

11:06 p.m. — 'Joey California' Calcaterra with a three to push the Huskies' lead from 12 to 15.

11:01 p.m. — A free throw contest has broken out here. San Diego State shoots two, makes one, and now the Huskies will be going back to the line.

10:58 p.m. — Free throws have allowed UConn to regain control and go back up by 14.

10:53 p.m. — San Diego State finally gets something out of its bench with a three from Adam Seiko. The Huskies' lead remains double-digits, though, and Sanogo is going back to the line for more.

10:46 p.m. — Mensah thought he had a clean block on Sanogo, but it's called for a foul. UConn up 11 with Sanogo going to the line.

10:38 p.m. — An early timeout from Brian Dutcher as the Aztecs struggle to inbound the ball...still a 12-point game, but UConn has given San Diego State some extra chances in the opening two minutes.

10:37 p.m. — We are underway in the second half with a basket from each side. UConn is still playing very tough defense against the Aztecs.

End of first half: UConn 36, San Diego State 24

10:13 p.m. — The final minute of the first half was one of San Diego State's best, with back-to-back shots and an impressive stop on the other end. We have a 12-point game entering the second half, with UConn fully in control.

10:12 p.m. — Back-to-back shots for the Aztecs, who now trail by 12. 

10:08 p.m. — Clingan is making plays just by being tall. The latest: A San Diego State pass that landed right in his chest.

10:04 p.m. — There's another key sequence: The Aztecs force a turnover but miss the layup on the other end, and it turns into a three for UConn. Five-point swing.

10:03 p.m. — San Diego State is 5-of-22 from the field and trails by 16. It's getting ugly.

10:01 p.m. — The drought is over for San Diego State, but another bad turnover turns this into a 13-point Huskies lead.

9:57 p.m. — A costly sequence for San Diego State: Nathan Mensah passes on a good look and turns it over, which leads to a UConn three. The Aztecs trail by 12 and haven't made a shot in more than 10 minutes.

9:52 p.m. — The Aztecs will have three free throws coming after the under-8 timeout. They'll need all three of them: It's now a 10-point deficit. 

9:51 p.m. — San Diego State just doesn't look comfortable or confident on the offensive end. The Aztecs haven't made a shot in more than nine minutes.

9:46 p.m. — This is turning into an offensive mess for San Diego State after another turnover turns into a UConn basket. It's 20-12 Huskies, and the Aztecs haven't made a shot for several minutes.

9:43 p.m. — San Diego State's scoring drought ends after Keshad Johnson is fouled by Clingan. UConn leads 16-12 as both offense scrap for points.

9:38 p.m. — Kemba in the house!

9:36 p.m. — Two offensive fouls against UConn so far, this time one against 7-2 Donovan Clingan. Meanwhile, San Diego State hasn't scored in about four minutes.

9:35 p.m. — Momentum has turned in UConn's favor, with the Huskies going on a 6-0 run and a three-second violation giving the ball right back to them.

9:33 p.m. — Now Sanogo is making his presence felt. He makes a defensive play and comes down the other end to score. We're tied at 10.

9:29 p.m. — San Diego State is holding its own through the first media timeout, leading 10-8. UConn hasn't started making threes yet. 

9:25 p.m. — Two great defenses, but these two combine to start the game 5-of-5 from the field. It's 8-4 Aztecs.

9:22 p.m. — Lamont Butler stays hot and answers a Jordan Hawkins jumper with a three. Advantage Aztecs in the opening 60 seconds.

9:19 p.m. — Dutcher and Hurley embrace at midcourt, and we are headed for tip-off. Let's crown a national champion!

9:15 p.m. — The final night of Jim Nantz's college basketball broadcasting career begins. We are just a few minutes away from tip-off.

8:57 p.m. — Dan Hurley won't talk about what it would mean to cut down the nets in Houston tonight. He's taking it step-by-step. 

8:46 p.m. — Brian Dutcher is cautiously confident ahead of what will be a huge challenge for his team.

What channel is UConn vs. San Diego State on today?

  • TV Channel: CBS
  • Live stream: March Madness Live, Paramount+, Fubo

The 2023 national championship game between UConn and San Diego State will be broadcast on CBS. Jim Nantz (play-by-play), Grant Hill (analyst), and Bill Raftery (analyst) will be on the call. This will be Nantz's final NCAA Tournament game.

Fans can stream the game on March Madness Live, Paramount+, or Fubo, which offers a free trial. 

UConn vs. San Diego State start time

  • Date: Monday, April 3
  • Time: 9:20 p.m. ET

The national championship game is set to tip off at 9:20 p.m. ET (8:20 p.m. local time) from NRG Stadium, in Houston.

Final Four schedule 2023

Final Four

Saturday, April 1

Game
(5) San Diego State 72, (9) FAU 71
(4) UConn 72, (5) Miami 59

National championship

Monday, April 3

Game Time (ET) TV
(4) UConn vs. (5) San Diego State 9:20 p.m. CBS
Author(s)
Author Photo
Dan Treacy
Dan Treacy is a content producer for Sporting News.
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San Diego State Aztecs
Connecticut Huskies vs San Diego State Aztecs
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