2016 UConn Huskies Will Forever Be the Greatest.

The Huskies claimed the programs 11th National Title (Getty Images)

As the seconds ticked down last night to close out the 2015-2016 NCAA Women’s Basketball season, the seniors of the University of Connecticut Huskies finished off the greatest run any team before and any team after will ever accomplish. The Seniors set a new record for the winningest senior class in college history with a record of 151-4 and they won four straight NCAA National Championships. UConn was dominant all season winning every game this season by 10 points or more. UConn also marched through the NCAA tournament winning the 6 games by an average of 39.8 points and the closest game was a 21 point win over Texas. In a time of such parody across the nation, this team showed time and time again, there is not and never will be a team as dominant as the 2016 UConn Huskies.

For UConn, the championship game was never really in doubt as they ran out to a 28-13 lead after the first quarter. In the opening quarter Syracuse was plagued with fouls, allowing UConn to be 8-10 from the free throw line and add 12 points from 3 point line. Syracuse did not shoot the three as well as they did early in the tournament and it was clear that the Husky defense was too quick for the Orange.

The second quarter was also controlled by UConn, pushing the halftime lead to 50-23. UConn got open looks and won the transition game shooting 51% in the first half, compared to Syracuse’s 30%. Syracuse Head Coach Quentin Hillsman said before the game that they had to hit 10 3 pointers and didn’t care if they shot 30, 40, or 50. Unfortunately for the Orange, they didn’t hit a 3 pointer after the end of the first quarter.

In the third, Syracuse fell behind by 33 with just over 7 minutes to go in the period. That is when the light switch turned on for the Orange. Syracuse would go on a 14 point run, cutting the deficit to 19 and stopping the Huskies from scoring for over 6 minutes. The Orange scored 9 points off turnovers as they played great defense during the stretch. At the end of the quarter the Orange outscored UConn 20-14, this was only the 3rd quarter UConn was outscored in all year.

It was clear in the 4th quarter that the Huskies were content with slowing the pace of play. UConn got back to their strength of clean passing and taking a high percentage shot, shooting 52% in the second half. With under 2 minutes to go, Stewart, Jefferson and Tuck were pulled to a standing ovation from the packed house in Indianapolis. Subbing in for the trio was walk-on Senior Briana Pulido. Pulido made the most of her an opportunity and hit an open jumper from the corner, again sending the UConn bench and fans to their feet.

UConn was led by Breanna Stewart, who was awarded her fourth Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four, something that hadn’t been done on the Men’s or Women’s side. Stewart had a relatively “bad game” in the Semi-final against Oregon State, but was unstoppable in the Final, scoring 24 points, with 10 rebounds and 6 assists. Stewart is a three time AP Player of the Year and will forever be in the discussion of the greats of all time like Diana Taurasi and Rebecca Lobo. Stewart most likely will be the first pick in the WNBA draft next week and will continue her great career at the next level.

Sharing the front court with Stewart has been Morgan Tuck. Tuck has been a steady force for the Huskies averaging 13.7 points per game and 5.7 rebounds per game. Tuck took over the game in the Semi-final, while Stewart struggled with fouls and her shot, scoring 21 points. During her Sophomore year, Tuck suffered a knee injury and missed all but 8 games, giving her one more year of eligibility. However, the day after winning the National Championship, Tuck appeared on Sportscenter on ESPN and announced that she would enter the WNBA draft where she will also be a top 5 pick.

Moriah Jefferson has been the best Point Guard in the country, winning the Nancy Lieberman Award each of the last two years. Jefferson averaged 12.6 points per game and 5.5 assists per game for the Huskies this year. In the Semi-final, Jefferson passed Diana Taurasi to become the all-time assist leader in UConn history and finished her career with 659 assists. Like Stewart and Tuck, Jefferson will likely be a top 5 pick in the WNBA draft. Jefferson’s defense is also a major strength for her, as a 2 time All-American, the Defensive Player of the Year in the American Athletic Conference and she won the Dawn Staley Award for the best guard in the country.

UConn Celebrates Victory over Syracuse (Derron Cummings/AP)

Syracuse finished the season 30-7 and moved to #3 in the final Coaches Poll, the Orange’s highest rank in school history. The NCAA run for Syracuse was full of firsts with their first Sweet 16, Elite Eight, Final Four and Championship game. Brianna Butler also set the NCAA record for 129 3 pointers in a season. The graduating seniors for the Orange, Butler, Taylor Ford, Cornelia Fondren and Maggie Morrison, leave Syracuse as the winningest senior class, with 99 wins and 4 straight NCAA tournament appearances. Brittney Sykes was also a part of that class, however she has another year of eligibility due to a torn ACL in 2014-2015. At press time, Sykes has not announced whether or not she will return to the Orange or enter the WNBA.

Follow Kyle Wescott on Twitter @MHSWescott