Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Getting to know the 2011 Final Four teams: Connecticut

This week, The Dagger takes a deeper look at each of the four schools participating in the 2011 Final Four. To conclude the series, we look at Connecticut. Previously: VCU, Butler and Kentucky.

Location: Storrs, Conn.

Enrollment: 28,372

Team Mascot: Huskies

How they got to Houston: d. Bucknell (81-52), d. Cincinnati (69-58), d. San Diego State (74-67), d. Arizona (65-63)

Greatest basketball moment: The 1999 championship led by Richard Hamilton and Khalid El-Amin completed Connecticut's transformation from elite regional team to national power.

Fact about Jim Calhoun that may surprise you: This is only his fourth Final Four. Only is a relative term, of course -- four Final Fours is a grand achievement only accomplished by 17 coaches in history. I just sort of figured Calhoun's total was higher than that. Before this year, the UConn coach was tied at three with guys like Steve Fisher, Larry Brown, Ben Howland and Nolan Richardson.

Reason to root for them: Kemba Walker is a joy to watch, plus, in the picture above it looks like he's trying to bring back the high five.

Reason to root against them: This.

How the school dealt with Final Four appearance on its main website page: Minimally. Based on the official websites of each Final Four school, The Dagger concludes that the "been there, done that" maxim applies for how much universities boast about F4 appearances.

Famous alumni: George Harrison (but not that one), Ted Kennedy (ditto)

Smart quote to make others think you've been following UConn all along: "This is a different team than the one that routed Kentucky before Thanksgiving. [Pause] They're much better now."

What not to say at your Final Four party: "UConn's star player, Simba Walker, was named after the lion cub from 'The Lion King.'"

What Clark Kellogg will probably say about UConn: "Adaptability. Shot-making-itude. Defensitivity. Pointillism. These are the keys for Connecticut, Jim."

Chances of winning it all: Kentucky is the favorite, VCU is the underdog, Butler is looking for revenge from a last-second loss last year. Connecticut is simply playing the best basketball.

Jim Nantz's most likely scripted line if they do: "Kemba walks ... to a championship!"

Heidi Montag Katharine McPhee T.A.T.u. Amber Valletta Paris Hilton

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