The Latest Breaking News from Alex Karaban

HOUSTON – Adama Sanogo picked up a basketball for the first time as a 14-year-old soccer player in Bamako, Mali.

The UConn big man is on top of the college basketball world and in rarefied air among a program defined by its stars.

HOUSTON — The band blared and the fans filled the lower bowl at NRG Stadium as the UConn men put on a show during their open practice Friday; there were smiles and laughter. Dan Hurley, hands behind his back, just watched and smiled like an artist admiring his finished painting.

STORRS, Conn. — With all of its uniqueness on both ends of the floor and all of the pieces that can come into the game and provide different looks, the UConn men’s basketball team has proven to make for an extremely difficult scout and especially benefited in nonconference play because…

STORRS, Conn. — The UConn men’s basketball program’s third national title, in 2011, came after what many remember as one of the worst national championship games in the history of the tournament. Three-seeded UConn beat No. 8 seed Butler, 53-41, after the Bulldogs put together a record-low scoring performance.

STORRS, Conn. — The UConn men’s basketball team entered this year’s NCAA Tournament feeling the pressure to just advance past the first round having not done it in nine years.

Three out of the four teams headed to Houston are playing in their first Final Four, but only two can advance to compete for the NCAA tournament title.

LAS VEGAS — Houston, you have a problem.

Jordan Hawkins scored 20 points and UConn overwhelmed its fourth straight NCAA Tournament opponent, blowing out Gonzaga 82-54.