The defending champion UConn Huskies are officially in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, but their path to back-to-back-to-back titles has become significantly tougher. What was once a promising path as a potential top seed has transformed into a precarious journey following their recent stumbles, including a deflating Big East semifinal loss.
Once projected confidently as a No. 1 or No. 2 seed, the Huskies now find themselves sliding down the bracket. Bracketology experts have them as an No. 8 or No. 9 seed, a dramatic fall that fundamentally alters their tournament outlook and raises serious questions about their championship defense.
UConn’s Big East Semifinal Stumble
UConn’s semifinal loss to Creighton (71-62) exposed concerning vulnerabilities at the worst possible time.
The Huskies struggled offensively throughout, shooting well below their season average, while Creighton dictated the pace and flow. Second-chance points and costly turnovers plagued UConn while their normally reliable defense showed uncharacteristic gaps.
An 8 or 9 seed may learn UConn is its first round opponent. A 1 seed could learn its second round foe may be the two-time defending champs.
“When it flashes on the screen, the bracketologists may start saying, ‘Ooooh.’”
Then they’ll look at film and …
https://t.co/7m14NV1bqX— David Borges (@DaveBorges) March 16, 2025
This ill-timed defeat likely pushed UConn out of contention for a top-4 seed, dramatically altering their tournament pathway. A victory could have preserved their position among the tournament’s elite seeds, but instead they now face a much steeper climb through the bracket.
Current projections paint a challenging picture for the defending champions. Mike DeCourcy of Fox Sports has UConn slotted as an 8 seed in the East Region, potentially facing the 9 seed New Mexico Lobos in their tournament opener. More concerning is what awaits beyond a likely second-round matchup with top-seeded Auburn, should they advance.
UConn’s seeding drop is one of the most surprising shifts in this year’s bracket projections, given their strong season and championship pedigree. Earlier this season, Connecticut was firmly in the conversation for a No. 1 or No. 2 seed. Their conference tournament stumble combined with strong performances from other contenders has precipitated this fall.
Despite their seeding setback, UConn enters the tournament with championship DNA and elite coaching. The official bracket will be revealed during the Selection Show on March 16, 2025 (6 p.m. ET on CBS) but their path is undeniably treacherous.
As the No. 8 or No. 9 seed, they face not only a challenging first-round matchup, but also the prospect of meeting a No. 1 seed in just their second game.
History tells us that this tournament creates its own magic upsets happen and experience matters. The Huskies possess both championship pedigree and the motivation that comes from being underestimated. While their road is undoubtedly more difficult than anticipated, but counting out a defending champion with tournament experience would be premature.
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The 2025 NCAA Tournament will test UConn’s resilience like never before.
For the Huskies to mount a successful title defense, they’ll need to recapture their midseason form and overcome the bracket disadvantage their recent struggles have created. Their journey begins in the first round, where they’ll look to prove that seeding is just a number, not their fate.
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