Stephon Castle, No. 1 UConn Rout Stetson as CBB Fans Predict Back-to-Back NCAA Titles

It was business as usual in the first round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament for the UConn Huskies.

The defending champions entered the tournament having won seven consecutive games, including the Big East Championship Game, and strolled into the tournament as the No. 1 overall seed. That set up a date with No. 16 seed Stetson University and the Huskies did not take their foot off the gas pedal, exploding for a dominant 91-52 victory to advance to the second round.

The Huskies took a huge 52-19 lead at halftime and managed the big lead throughout the second half against the Hatters. This was the second-largest halftime lead in the NCAA Tournament in 20 years:

Despite earning the huge lead, head coach Dan Hurley still saw room for improvement from his Huskies.

Stephon Castle had 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting and 1-of-2 from three-point range while also adding five rebounds and four assists. Cam Spencer had 15 points, five rebounds and three assists, Donovan Clingan had 19 points with eight rebounds and four assists and Tristen Newton had 13 points, eight assists and three rebounds.

Fans took to social media to hype up the Huskies as repeat candidates.

The Huskies have passed the first test, but their next opponent showed some toughness in its first round matchup.

Connecticut will face Northwestern in the second round. The Wildcats took down Florida Atlantic, a team that reached the Final Four last season, 77-65 in overtime. The winner will advance to the Sweet 16 games in Boston.