Stetson basketball set out to pull off one of the greatest upsets in March Madness history. The Hatters' first ever NCAA Tournament game came today against reigning champion Connecticut.
It's no longer unheard of to consider a No. 16 seed knocking off a No. 1 seed. UMBC became the first to do it when they shocked Virginia in 2018, and last year, top-seeded Purdue bowed out against Fairleigh Dickinson.
Stetson (22-12) faced tough odds against UConn (31-3), the overall No. 1 seed in the 2024 March Madness bracket. While the Hatters had one of the nation's leading scorers in junior guard Jalen Blackmon, the Huskies had talent and depth, headed by Tristen Newton. The winner of UConn-Stetson plays No. 9 Northwestern, who beat No. 8 FAU in overtime, in the second round Sunday.
MORE:Watch Stetson basketball vs. UConn in March Madness on Fubo (free trial)
UConn-Stetson live score updates in NCAA first round
Final score: UConn 91, Stetson 52
UConn cruises to a first-round victory. The tournament's top overall seed will continue its title defense by taking on No. 9 Northwestern in the second round Sunday.
The Hatters end their season, their best in nearly 50 years, with a 22-13 record. They won an ASUN Championship earlier this month. This was their first NCAA Tournament appearance.
Every single one of Donnie Jones' players is eligible to return next year.
Final minutes winding down
Stetson has played much better in the second half. After being outscored 52-19 in the first half, the Hatters have put up 29 points since intermission. UConn has recorded 33 points and leads 85-48 with four minutes remaining.
What is the biggest blowout in NCAA Tournament history?
In 1963, Loyola (Chicago) met Tennessee Tech in the first round of the NCAA Tournament and ran away with a111-42 victory. That's a 69-point win in a tournament that would end with the Ramblers' lone national championship.
The Ramblers led 61-20 at halftime, and then proceeded to put up 50 more in the second half.
The good news for Stetson?
Despite its large deficit today, it shouldn't come anywhere close to Loyola-Tennessee Tech. The Hatters currently trail No. 1 UConn 68-38 with 11 minutes left in the game.
No quit from Stetson
Gateretse throws down an alley-oop dunk, and suddenly, the Hatters have themselves a little run.
They kicked off the half with an 11-5 stretch, trimming UConn's lead under 30 points. The Huskies are up 57-30 with 15:48 left.
Second half is underway
UConn begins the second half with possession.
First-half stats
UConn
- 22-of-32 on field goals (68.8%)
- 7-of-14 on 3-pointers (50%)
- Leading scorer: Cam Spencer (13 points)
- Three turnovers
- Winning rebounding battle 18-11
Stetson
- 8-of-26 on field goals (30.8%)
- 1-of-10 on 3-pointers (10%)
- Leading scorer: Stephan Swenson (eight points)
- 10 turnovers
Halftime: UConn in total control vs. Stetson
Not how the Hatters envisioned their first NCAA Tournament game playing out.
UConn enjoyed an explosive half on offense while smothering Stetson's attack on defense. The Huskies lead 52-19. It's their largest halftime advantage in the NCAA Tournament in school history.
Huskies' advantage eclipses 20 points
TV timeout with 7:35 left in the first half. ESPN's win probability predictor gives UConn a 99.9% chance to win.
It holds a 30-8 lead.
"We have to calm down," Stetson coach Donnie Jones said on the CBS broadcast.
UConn building big lead halfway through first half
The defending national champions are looking strong through 10 minutes of play. They lead the Hatters 23-6.
Treyton Thompson scores Stetson's first-ever points in NCAA Tournament
With 15:30 left in the first half, Jalen Blackmon drove to the hoop and lofted a pass to the rim for Treyton Thompson, who slammed it home for the Hatters' first basket.
Thompson, a junior forward, transferred to Stetson prior to this season. He entered Friday averaging 4.5 points and 4 rebounds per game.
UConn leads 16-4 at the 12:40 mark.
UConn dominates first four minutes
The Huskies opened the game on an 8-0 run, including two alley-oops to center Donovan Clingan.
Stetson is still looking to break the seal. The Hatters are 0-for-6 from the field.
UConn-Stetson begins
And we are underway! Stetson won the tipoff.
Starting lineups for UConn-Stetson
All ready for tipoff in Brooklyn. Here are the starting fives for each team.
UConn
- G Tristen Newton
- G Cam Spencer
- G Stephon Castle
- F Alex Karaban
- C Donovan Clingan
Stetson
- G Stephan Swenson
- G Jalen Blackmon
- G Alec Oglesby
- G Tristan Gross
- C Aubin Gateretse
When will UConn-Stetson start?
Tipoff time between the Huskies and the Hatters is set for 3:22 p.m. Friday in Brooklyn.
The game was scheduled to commence at 2:45 p.m., but it was pushed back after FAU-Northwestern went to overtime.
Who will UConn or Stetson play in the second round of the NCAA Tournament?
The winner of UConn-Stetson will face Northwestern in the Round of 32 Sunday.
The ninth-seeded Wildcats (22-11) dominated the overtime period against No. 8 Florida Atlantic and won 77-65 Friday. They led for the majority of the second half before the Owls completed a comeback in the final minute of regulation. The extra period started with a 58-58 score.
Tipoff time for Sunday's contest in Brooklyn is TBD.
FAU-Northwestern heads to overtime
The Stetson Hatters and UConn Huskies will have to wait a few extra minutes before tipping off their first-round matchup.
No. 8 Florida Atlantic and No. 9 Northwestern headed to overtime tied at 58. The winner of that game will face the winner of UConn-Stetson in Round 2 Sunday.
What channel is UConn-Stetson on today? How to watch, stream live
- TV:CBS
- Streaming:March Madness Live(TV provider log-in required) |Fubo(free trial)
Stetson will tip off vs. UConn on CBS. Streaming options include the NCAA March Madness Live app andfuboTV, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers. The announcers are Ian Eagle, Bill Raftery, Grant Hill and Tracy Wolfson.
IT'S BRACKET MADNESS:Enter USA TODAY's basketball tournament bracket contests for a chance at $1 million prize.
UConn vs. Stetson start time, TV info, location
- Start time:2:45 p.m. ET
- TV info: CBS (check local listings)
- Location:Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York
UConn vs. Stetson preview
Stetson:The Hatters made the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history with an ASUN Tournament championship win over Austin Peay. In that game, junior guard Jalen Blackmon scored 43 points, which is just par for the course for the No. 10 scorer in the nation (21.5 ppg). Stetson is coached by Donnie Jones.
UConn:Coached by Dan Hurley, the reigning champion Huskies have the No. 23 scoring offense and the No. 15 scoring defense, as well as two starters back from last season's championship team. All-America guard Tristen Newton averages 15.2 points and 7 rebounds per game, while sophom*ore forward Alex Karaban contributes 13.9 ppg and 5 rpg.
UConn-Stetson odds, betting line, spread
Odds courtesy ofBetMGMas of Thursday, March 21.
- Spread:UConn (-26.5)
- Over/under:146.5 points
- Moneyline:Stetson +2,000, UConn -10,000
UConn vs. Stetson prediction, game picks
UConn 79, Stetson 62:UConn is the reigning champ and favorite to repeat for a reason.
UConn vs. Stetson injury updates
Stetson:Cyncier Harrison (questionable), Josh Smith (out for season).
UConn:No injuries.
UConn vs. Stetson stats
STETSON
- PPG:77.5
- PPG allowed:72.8
- FG%:46.7%
- 3PT%: 37.0%
- KenPom ranking:219
UCONN
- PPG:81.5
- PPG allowed:64.4
- FG%:49.6%
- 3PT%: 36.7%
- KenPom ranking:1
UConn vs. Stetsonchampionship odds
Stetson:N/A
UConn:+350
Stetson basketball schedule 2023-24
The past five games ofStetson's 2023-24 basketball season. For the full schedule,click here.
| February 28 | Stetson 86, Jacksonville 73 |
| March 1 | North Florida 78, Stetson 59 |
| March 5 | Stetson 83, Queens 71 (ASUN Tournament quarterfinal) |
| March 7 | Stetson 88, Jacksonville 87 (ASUN Tournament semifinal) |
| March 10 | Stetson 94, Austin Peay 91 (ASUN Tournament final) |
| March 22 | Stetson vs. UConn (NCAA Tournament first round) |
UConn basketball schedule 2023-24
The past five games of UConn's 2023-24 basketball season. For the full schedule,clickhere.
| March 6 | UConn 74, Marquette 67 |
| March 9 | UConn 74, Providence 60 |
| March 14 | UConn 87, Xavier 60 (Big East Tournament quarterfinal) |
| March 15 | UConn 95, St. John's 90 (Big East Tournament semifinal) |
| March 16 | UConn 73, Marquette 57 (Big East Tournament final) |
| March 22 | FAU vs. Northwestern (NCAA Tournament first round) |
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