The nets are gone. The confetti has long been swept out of State Farm Stadium in Glendale. But if you’re still asking who won last year march madness, the answer is a name that is starting to feel like a permanent fixture at the top of the mountain: the UConn Huskies. Dan Hurley’s squad didn't just win the 2024 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. They absolutely demolished it.
It’s rare. Usually, the tournament is a chaotic mess of buzzer-beaters and Cinderellas that break your heart in the Sweet 16. Not this time. UConn provided a level of clinical, almost surgical efficiency that we haven't seen in the modern era of college hoops. They beat Purdue 75-60 in the title game, but honestly, it felt wider than a 15-point gap.
The Absolute Buzzsaw That Was the 2024 UConn Huskies
When we talk about who won last year march madness, we have to talk about the "repeat." Going back-to-back is supposed to be impossible now. The transfer portal exists. NIL money flies around like monopoly paper. Rosters turn over faster than a TikTok trend. Yet, UConn lost three starters to the NBA from their 2023 championship team—Jordan Hawkins, Adama Sanogo, and Andre Jackson Jr.—and somehow got better.
How?
Culture is a word coaches throw around when they don't have actual talent, but Hurley has both. He’s got this manic, high-energy intensity that makes him look like he’s had twelve espressos before tip-off. His players feed off it. They played defense like they were personally insulted by the idea of the other team scoring.
The Zach Edey Problem
The championship game was basically a clash of titans. On one side, you had Zach Edey, the 7-foot-4 human skyscraper from Purdue who swept every National Player of the Year award. He was a problem. A massive, shot-altering, rebounding-machine kind of problem.
UConn’s strategy was fascinating. They basically said, "Okay, Zach, you can have yours. But nobody else gets anything."
Edey finished with 37 points and 10 rebounds. In any other game, those are winning numbers. But the Huskies stayed glued to Purdue’s perimeter shooters. They dared Edey to beat them by himself, and while he tried, the Boilermakers' vaunted three-point attack went cold because they couldn't get a clean look. Purdue went 1-for-7 from deep. One. You aren't beating UConn by making a single three-pointer.
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Tracing the Path of Destruction
To understand the weight of who won last year march madness, you have to look at the margin of victory. It wasn't just the final. It was the whole damn month.
They won their six tournament games by a combined 140 points. That is an average of 23.3 points per game. They beat Stetson by 39. They beat Northwestern by 16. They beat San Diego State—the team they played in the previous year's final—by 30 in the Sweet 16.
Illinois was supposed to be a challenge in the Elite Eight. The Fighting Illini had a top-tier offense. Then UConn went on a 30-0 run. Let that sink in for a second. Thirty to zero. In a regional final. It was a bloodbath. If you walked away to grab a sandwich and a beer, the game was over by the time you sat back down.
- Tristen Newton was the engine, winning Most Outstanding Player.
- Stephon Castle played like a veteran despite being a freshman.
- Donovan Clingan anchored the paint like a brick wall.
- Cam Spencer brought a level of "annoying gym rat" energy that every championship team needs.
The Huskies finished the season 37-3. They were the first team to repeat as champions since Florida did it in 2006 and 2007.
Why This Win Changed the "Blue Blood" Conversation
For a long time, the "Blue Bloods" were Kentucky, Kansas, Duke, and North Carolina. UConn was always the "new money" kid at the party. They had the rings, sure, but people hesitated to put them in that elite tier.
After 2024, that debate is dead. Done. Buried.
UConn now has six national titles since 1999. To put that in perspective, Duke has five total in its entire history. Indiana has five. Kansas has four. Villanova has three. UConn has passed nearly everyone in the modern era. They aren't just a Blue Blood; they might be the only one that actually matters right now.
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The Dan Hurley Factor
We almost lost this narrative. Following the win, the Los Angeles Lakers came calling. They offered Dan Hurley a massive contract to come save LeBron and the LakeShow. The sports world held its breath. If Hurley left, the UConn dynasty might have sputtered.
He stayed.
He reportedly turned down $70 million because he wanted to chase a "three-peat." That’s the kind of insanity that defines this program. They aren't satisfied. Most coaches win one and spend the next five years coasting on that goodwill. Hurley seems like he wants to win every game by 40 points until the end of time.
Realities of the 2024 Tournament Experience
If you were a fan of a different school, last year was kind of miserable. The "madness" was missing from the top half of the bracket because UConn was so dominant. However, we did get some gems.
Oakland’s Jack Gohlke becoming a national hero overnight by sinking ten threes against Kentucky was peak March. Seeing NC State, a team that had to win five games in five days just to get into the tournament, make a run to the Final Four was pure magic. DJ Burns Jr. became the most lovable big man in the world.
But even those stories eventually ran into the UConn buzzsaw. NC State’s run ended at the hands of Purdue, and then Purdue ran into the Huskies. It was a hierarchy that felt impossible to shake.
What You Should Do With This Information
Knowing who won last year march madness is more than just trivia; it’s a roadmap for what wins in the current era of basketball. If you’re looking at your bracket for the upcoming season or trying to understand the landscape of the sport, keep these things in mind:
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1. Continuity is King (Even if it’s New)
UConn proved you don't need the same players, but you need the same system. They didn't rebuild; they reloaded. Look for teams with a coaching "identity" rather than just a collection of five-star recruits.
2. The "Big Man" Still Matters
The NBA might be going small, but college basketball still belongs to the giants. The Edey vs. Clingan matchup was a throwback. If a team doesn't have a rim protector, they aren't winning six games in three weeks.
3. Defense Traveling
Offenses have bad nights. UConn had moments where they couldn't buy a basket early in games, but their defense never took a play off. Look at defensive efficiency ratings on KenPom. They are the most accurate predictor of who survives the first weekend.
4. Watch the Big East
People love to hype the SEC and the Big Ten because of the football money, but the Big East is a basketball meat grinder. Playing in that conference prepares teams for the physical toll of the tournament.
The 2024 season was defined by a level of excellence that felt redundant but was actually historic. UConn didn't just win a trophy; they asserted a level of control over the sport that we usually only see in fictional movies or lopsided video games.
As we move toward the next selection Sunday, the question isn't just about who will win, but whether anyone has figured out a way to stop the Huskies from making it three in a row. It’s a tall order. Honestly, it might be impossible.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you want to stay ahead of the curve for the next tournament cycle, stop looking at the AP Top 25. It's a popularity contest. Instead, start tracking Adjusted Efficiency Margin. It’s the metric that experts use to see who is actually "good" versus who just has a flashy record.
Also, keep an eye on the injury reports for the top four seeds starting in February. Last year, several promising runs were cut short because of depth issues. UConn stayed healthy and deep, which was their secret weapon. Start a spreadsheet now. Track the "Quad 1" wins. That’s how the committee picks the seeds, and seeding is 90% of the battle in March.