Donovan Clingan, UConn Dominate Northwestern, Impress March Madness Fans in Win

The defending NCAA tournament champions are back in the Sweet 16.

Top-seeded UConn dominated Sunday night in a 75-58 victory over No. 9 Northwestern in the second round of the 2024 NCAA tournament.

Donovan Clingan recorded a career-high eight blocks in UConn's win, while Tristen Newton led the Huskies with 20 points and 10 assists.

UConn won despite shooting 3-for-22 from behind the arc. That didn't matter when the Huskies were shooting 53.7 percent from the field.

It took Clingan less than 16 minutes to record a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Clingan finished the outing with 14 points, 14 rebounds in addition to his eight blocks to prove why he's ranked No. 10 in Jonathan Wasserman's latest 2024 NBA Mock Draft for Bleacher Report.

UConn's stifling defense held Northwestern scoring leader Boo Buie to nine points on 2-for-15 shooting from the field.

After dominating in the first half, UConn's scoring rate decreased late in the second to allow Northwestern to claw their way within 20 points of the lead.

The Huskies' dominant victory, despite the late-game offensive slowdown and poor shooting rate on threes, led fans to predict another deep tournament run for the defending champions.

Sunday night marks the first time the Huskies have made it to consecutive Sweet 16 rounds since the team made three straight from 2002 to 2004.

UConn fans will now turn to watch the Round of 32 game between No. 13 Yale and No. 5 San Diego State, the winner of which will advance to face the Huskies.