UConn Fans In NYC 'Pumped' As Huskies Head To NCAA Title Game
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Connecticut basketball fans in Manhattan popped champagne, danced on the bar and threw confetti Saturday night, celebrating another trip to the national championship game.
"The key was these fans. Look at this bar. It's going nuts," one Huskies fan watching the game on Third Avenue told WCBS 880's Jim Smith. "We've got a million fans in here, so many UConn faithful."
The excitement of the Huskies' 63-53 upset win over top-seeded Florida at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, spilled out onto the New York City sidewalks.
UConn Fans In NYC 'Pumped' As Huskies Head To NCAA Title Game
"Pumped, man!" a fan said. "We're thrilled. Absolutely thrilled."
"They played incredible defense," another man said. "They didn't give a Florida a step."
Fans were already making plans for Monday night's title game against Kentucky.
"Coming back to this bar. It's over," a fan said. "It's good luck. We're not breaking the streak."
Back in Storrs, Conn., officials said that thousands of students celebrating UConn's win were mostly well behaved, but at least 20 were arrested.
UConn says that more than 8,000 students watched from Gampel Pavilion as the team upset overall No. 1 seed Florida, 63-53, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Students celebrated the win inside and outside of the arena on campus.
Chief of Police Barbara O'Connor said "the vast majority of our students have been both respectful and responsible." There were 20 arrests reported as of 10:30 p.m. Saturday.
The Huskies last won the national championship in 2011; Kentucky won it in 2012.
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