Chasing history: How would UConn stack up against Florida's back-to-back national championships?
UConn is on the verge of achieving a very rare feat — a second consecutive national championship.
The Huskies have been dominant in pursuit of that history as well. They’ve won all of their previous 11 NCAA Tournament games by at least 13+ points. In this year’s Tournament, UConn’s 5 victories have come by an average of 25 points.
That level of dominance has scarcely been seen throughout college basketball history. It has resulted in a 6.5-point spread for the game on Monday night — the biggest line for a national title game between No. 1 seeds since 1999.
But of course, winning back-to-back titles has been done numerous times before. It’s been accomplished most recently by Florida in 2006-07 and most often by UCLA (1967-72, 1964-65). Duke (1991-92) and Cincinnati (1961-62) have also done it in the last 65 years.
Because Florida’s dynasty was the most recent — and the only other one within the last 30 years — it makes sense to compare UConn’s run to those UF teams.
Here’s how they stack up:
UConn vs. Florida: Comparing efficiency metrics
We can use KenPom’s adjusted efficiency metrics to approximate the strength of each team in their respective seasons.
Florida peaked in 2007 with an adjusted efficiency margin of +30.81 (the Gators were at +28.28 in 2006). That’s a solid figure, but UConn has been better — and significantly so in 2024. Last season, the Huskies posted an adjusted efficiency margin of +29.86. In 2024, that number has risen all the way up to +35.65, which means the Huskies are, on average, 35.65 points per 100 possessions better than the average D-I opponent.
The big difference is on the offensive end of the floor. UConn has an adjust offensive rating of 127.2 this season, which leads the country. Florida’s offensive ratings in their title years were 117.9 (3rd) and 122.8 (1st) in 2006 and 2007, respectively. Offense in college basketball has evolved quite a bit since the mid-2000’s, so it’s not a shock to see the Huskies have a significantly higher rating on that end of the floor.
Defensively, Florida’s 2006 team had an adjusted efficiency rating of 89.7, which is better than the Huskies’ number in that category in 2023 or 2024.
UConn vs. Florida: Point differential
As for total point differential during the NCAA Tournament, UConn also has the edge. The Gators were +96 in 2006 and +85 in 2007, for an average margin-of-victory of 15.1 points across all 12 Tournament wins. The Huskies were +120 in 2023 and are currently +125 for the 2024 Tournament. That equates to an average margin-of-victory of 22.3 points per game.
UConn has been particularly dominant in this year’s tournament. The Huskies held a 30-point lead in each of their first four NCAA Tournament games in 2024. That streak broke when they met Alabama in the semifinals on Saturday night, but they were still able to pull away from the Tide late in that game.
In terms of both dominance and efficiency, UConn has a clear edge over Florida — if it can finish the job on Monday night against Purdue.
UConn vs. Florida: NBA-level talent
One of the defining legacies of those Florida teams was the sheer amount of NBA talent they possessed.
Al Horford, Joakim Noah, Corey Brewer and Marreese Speights all had NBA careers that spanned a decade or more. Noah and Horford both became multi-time All-Stars who were also regularly amongst the best defensive players in the world during their primes. Brewer and Speights also excelled as role players in the NBA across 23 combined seasons, with both players winning a NBA title during their careers as well.
It remains to be see what’s in-store for UConn’s core at the next level, but surpassing those careers will be a tall task.
Donovan Clingan and Stephon Castle are currently both projected to go in the lottery of the 2024 NBA Draft. In ESPN’s latest mock, Clingan went No. 3 overall while Castle went at No. 14. Castle’s stock has risen throughout the NCAA Tournament and could continue to rise after his big game against Alabama in the Final Four.
Alex Karaban and Tristen Newton are also potential draft picks for the Huskies in 2024 and project as potential role players at the next level. Cam Spencer, a 6-foot-4 senior who shot 44% from 3-point range this season, should also garner some profession opportunities next year.
UConn also had 2 players drafted off of last year’s team: Jordan Hawkins and Andre Jackson Jr. Hawkins went in the lottery and has had a very productive year off the bench for the New Orleans Pelicans. Jackson has also had a role off the bench for the Milwaukee Bucks as a rookie.
If UConn finishes off its second straight national championship, its run will compare very well to Florida’s under Billy Donovan. But the Huskies still have a game to win on Monday night against a No. 1-seeded Purdue team that is chasing history as well.
Tipoff is set for 9:20 p.m. ET on Monday. UConn is a 6.5-point favorite over the Boilermakers, according to the latest odds from bet365.
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Pulling for the boilermakers tomorrow! Def think UConn will win but glad to see the 2 best teams are playing for the title .
I’m with you on this.
No way I’m pulling for Big10 school.
That said, I believe the FL football/basketball dominance was the most incredible college sports takeover I’ve ever seen.
Hate to say that because I put spurrier in the same human category as Deion.
Very simple the gators would whoop that butt.
I was at the 2007 game in Glendale Arizona and I enjoyed every second of it. Went to the game with an old roommate and we drank enough beer to sink a cruise liner. Good times were had and I really hope Purdue wins to keep our Gators in the record books.
Purdue wins by 5…ain’t no stopping that little fella in the middle
Hope you are correct humper!
For many years, I did not like feta cheese. I still don’t.
Of course I liked the Gators overall team makeup. Horford has as high a basketball IQ as anyone I’ve seen play center at college ball. Brewer had defensive skills that made him special even in the pros. You also left out Humphries and Green as sharpshooters that opened up the inside game.
Also have to consider Horford’s smarts could get the slower big men in foul trouble early.
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Gonna be a great matchup tonight.
It’s a debate that can have no winner. Kind of useless.