LAS VEGAS — Jordan Hawkins scored 20 points and UConn blew past its fourth straight NCAA Tournament opponent, earning its first trip to the Final 4 in nine years with an 82-54 blowout of Gonzaga on Saturday night.
The Huskies (29-8) have felt right at home of their first prolonged March Madness run since winning the 2014 national championship, playing their best basketball of what had been an up-and-down season.
UConn controlled the normally efficient Bulldogs at each ends within the West Region final, constructing a 23-point lead early within the second half to waltz right into the ultimate section of the bracket.
The Huskies’ two NCAA Tournament first-round exits under coach Dan Hurley at the moment are well within the rearview mirror.
These elite Huskies did what the UConn women couldn’t for once and are headed to Houston, where they are going to play either Texas or Miami.
The Bulldogs (31-6) didn’t have the identical second-half magic that they had in a last-second win over UCLA within the Elite Eight.
Gonzaga allowed UConn to go on a late run to steer by seven at halftime and fell completely apart after All-American Drew Timme went to the bench together with his fourth foul early within the second half.
The Zags shot 33% from the sector — 7 of 29 within the second half — and went 2 for 20 from 3 to stumble of their bid for a 3rd Final 4 since 2017.
Timme had 12 points and 10 rebounds, receiving a warm ovation after being taken out of his final collegiate game with 1:50 left.