NOTES

Notables about Connecticut’s national title:

* It was the first championship for the Big East Conference since Georgetown and Villanova won consecutive titles in 1984 and 1985.

* Connecticut is the first team since Texas Western (now Texas El Paso) to win a title in its first Final Four appearance.

* Connecticut became the first team since Duke in 1992 to win the championship after having won its conference tournament.

*

Connecticut players said they were motivated by being such heavy underdogs. “Coming into the game, we knew we were a 10-point underdog,” guard Khalid El-Amin said. “We felt that was ridiculous and that hurt our pride. We wanted to come out to prove everyone wrong.”