Best UConn Basketball Games of the Decade (2010-2019)

[jfuchs91]

With the 2010s coming to a close, it's time to look back at some of the best UConn moments over the past 10 years. I made an arbitrary rule not to include more than three games from any single season (shout-out to 2011 & 2014), so without further ado, here is the list:

10) 2013: UConn 66, Syracuse 58 - "They leaving the Big East with a bad taste of UConn in their mouth."


It's the final year of the Old Big East. Both teams will be heading to new conferences the following season. UConn is banned from postseason play. Sixth-ranked Syracuse is printing t-shirts about their season. But UConn gets the last laugh in the final conference matchup between the rivals.

9) 2012: UConn 73, Villanova 70 (OT) - "Napier... ONIONS!"

A highly competitive, back-and-forth overtime game being nationally televised on Big Monday. Villanova ties the game in OT with 5 seconds to go, but Shabazz pulls up from 35 feet to drain the game winner.

 

[jfuchs91]

8) 2015: UConn 57, Cincinnati 54 - Boatright buzzer-beater in AAC Tournament


A diminutive UConn guard hits a step-back jumper at the buzzer to win a conference tournament quarterfinal game.... where have we seen this before? Boatright comes through in the clutch in one of the final games of his UConn career.

7) 2010: UConn 88, Texas 74 - Beating #1 Longhorns at Gampel

Top-ranked Texas comes into an electric Gampel atmosphere and gets run out of the gym in a game that featured several highlight plays from the Huskies, including Stix's dunk-of-the-decade nominee pictured above.

 

[jfuchs91]

6) 2014: UConn 60, Michigan State 54 - Elite 8 win at Madison Square Garden

Shabazz Napier 3 + Niels Giffey Dunk = Loudest UConn Chant at MSG

www.youtube.com

Playing as huge underdogs at Madison Square Garden, UConn uses the home court advantage to spur a big second half and earn a Final Four bid.

5) 2016: UConn 104, Cincinnati 97 (4OT) - Jalen's 3/4-court prayer is answered in 3OT


Fighting for their NCAA Tournament lives, Jalen Adams hits a miracle shot to force a fourth overtime, giving UConn enough momentum to win the game and the entire AAC Tournament.

 

[jfuchs91]

4) 2014: UConn 65, Florida 64 - Shabazz beats Florida


In a raucous early-season environment at Gampel, Shabazz takes over down the stretch and hits a game-winning buzzer-beater in a game that showed early signs of what the 2014 team was capable of.

3) 2011: UConn 53, Butler 41 - Kemba, Calhoun get Natty #3

Capping the greatest postseason run in college basketball history, UConn wins its 11th-straight game and captures the third national championship in program history. One last title run with Jim Calhoun at the helm.

 

[jfuchs91]

2) 2014: UConn 60, Kentucky 54 - Shabazz, Hungry Huskies claim Natty #4

UConn finishes off its improbable title run by defeating Kentucky, Calipari, and a freshman class that had been heralded as the best ever. UConn wins with a new coach in a new conference and cements itself as a Blue Blood of college hoops.

1) 2011: UConn 76, Pittsburgh 74 - Cardiac Kemba does it again


Kemba hits the most iconic shot in UConn basketball history, obliterating Gary McGhee's ankles and career in the process.

Honorable Mentions
- 2011 vs. Arizona, E8
- 2014 vs. Florida, F4
- 2011 vs. Kentucky, F4
- 2011 vs. San Diego State, S16
- 2014 vs. Villanova, Round of 32
- 2011 Maui Invitational
- 2013 vs. Michigan State at Ramstein Air Base
- 2019 vs. Syracuse at MSG

 

[Guapo]

Appreciate the effort and watching the clips, but I’d rank the national championships 1 and 2 and UConn vs MSU in the elite 8 needs to be way above the Adams shot

 

[JimHurley]

1. UConn-Florida F4 2014
2. UConn-Michigan State E8 2014
3. Cardiac Kemba
4. UConn-Xavier Charleston Classic
5. UConn-Kentucky NC 2014

Just my opinion here. The 2014 run takes the cake for me

 

[nadavtheman]

1. UConn-Florida F4 2014
2. UConn-Michigan State E8 2014
3. Cardiac Kemba
4. UConn-Xavier Charleston Classic
5. UConn-Kentucky NC 2014

Just my opinion here. The 2014 run takes the cake for me

Can never be a loss in the top 10

 

[AuRevoirAAC]

The UConn/Cincy 4OT game could easily be Top-10 games of the decade for the entire NCAA. We're pretty spoiled that we don't even consider it in our top 3!