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UConn draws region of death: Huskies have a difficult path to March Madness Final Four

Connecticut Huskies head coach Dan Hurley shouts to his defense in the second half of the NCAA Big East Conference Tournament second round game between the Connecticut Huskies and the Xavier Musketeers at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Thursday, March 14, 2024. Xavier was eliminated from the tournament by a 87-60 loss to UConn.
Connecticut Huskies head coach Dan Hurley shouts to his defense in the second half of the NCAA Big East Conference Tournament second round game between the Connecticut Huskies and the Xavier Musketeers at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Thursday, March 14, 2024. Xavier was eliminated from the tournament by a 87-60 loss to UConn.

After a terrific season defending their 2023 national championship, the UConn Huskies were named the 2024 NCAA Tournament's No. 1 overall seed. Their reward? Arguably the toughest trip to the Final Four of each of this year's No. 1-seeds.

UConn is the top seed in the East Region. Unfortunately for them, that region also includes three other top-tier conference champions: Auburn (SEC), Iowa State (Big 12), and Illinois (Big Ten). Of course, UConn has never been a team to back away from a challenge.

The Huskies have already defeated teams like Marquette this year, which was labeled a No. 2-seed by the March Madness selection committee. Auburn is a No. 4-seed. Furthermore, with Iowa State and Illinois being ranked as No. 2 and No. 3-seeds respectively, there is no way that UConn plays all three of these teams during their potential run to the Final Four. Still, UConn fans are undoubtedly biting their nails thinking about the gauntlet they'll have to run if they want to repeat.

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Who is UConn's first opponent?

Before UConn faces any of the teams listed above, they'll have to take care of business in the Rounds of 64 and 32. UConn's first opponent will be the Atlantic Sun Conference champions, Stetson. Stetson posted a 22-12 record this year, marking just their second season in school history with 22 wins and first since 1975. 2024 will be Stetson's first ever NCAA Tournament appearance.

Should UConn take down the Hatters, UConn will face the winner of No. 8 Florida Atlantic vs. No. 9 Northwestern in the Round of 32.

What is the highest rated conference champion in every other region?

Here are the top seeds in every other region:

  • West: North Carolina

  • South: Houston

  • Midwest: Purdue

None of those teams won their conference title. The highest ranked conference champion in each division is as follows:

  • West: St. Mary's (5-seed)

  • South: NC State (11-seed)

  • Midwest: Oregon (11-seed)

Which No. 1-seed has the easiest path to the Final Four?

The consensus seems to be that Purdue has the easiest path to the Final Four between UConn, Purdue, Houston, and UNC. The Midwest Bracket has some very tough schools in No. 2 Tennessee and No. 3 Creighton, but one of the most highly-touted teams in that bracket is also No. 12 McNeese State. As talented and under-the-radar as McNeese State is, when they are one of the biggest threats to the top seed in a region, that seems like a fairly easy bracket.

How to watch March Madness:

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NCAA Men's Basketball March Madness 2024 Schedule

First Four

Round

Dates

Venue

City

First Four

March 19-20

UD Arena

Dayton, Ohio

First and Second Round

Round

Dates

Venue

City

First/Second

March 19-20

UD Arena

Dayton, Ohio

First/Second

March 22 -24

Barclays Center

Brooklyn. N.Y.

First/Second

March 21 - 23

Spectrum Center

Charlotte, N.C.

First/Second

March 22 - 24

Gainbridge Fieldhouse

Indianapolis

First/Second

March 21 - 23

CHI Health Center

Omaha, Neb.

First/Second

March 21 -23

PPG Paints Arena

Pittsburgh

First/Second

March 21 - 23

Delta Center

Salt Lake City

First/Second

March 22 - 24

Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena

Spokane, Wash.

First/Second

March 22 - 24

FedExForum

Memphis, Tenn.

Sweet 16 and Elite Eight

Round

Dates

Venue

City

East Regional

March 28 - 30

TD Garden

Boston

East Regional

March 28 - 30

TD Garden

Boston

South Regional

March 29 -31

American Airlines Center

Dallas

Midwest Regional

March 29 - 31

Little Caesars Arena

Detroit

West Regional

March 28 - 30

Crypto.com Arena

Los Angeles

Final Four

Round

Dates

Venue

City

Final Four

Saturday, April 6

State Farm Stadium

Glendale, Arizona

NCAA championship game

Round

Dates

Venue

City

NCAA championship game

Monday, April 8

State Farm Stadium

Glendale, Arizona

Men’s March Madness live updates: Selection Sunday bracket, snubs, predictions

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: UConn draws toughest March Madness region in march to Final Four