UConn Removes Light Poles from Campus to Prevent Damages by Fans Ahead of Final Four

The University of Connecticut is doing what it can to make sure any celebrations of its men's and women's basketball teams don't get too out of control after there was some chaos during last year's jubilation.

"Given the prevalence of damage to the aluminum campus light poles along Fairfield Way last year, the University is temporarily removing them and has installed wall lights in that area," a UConn spokesperson told TMZ Sports.

"They provide the same amount of illumination without being vulnerable to being removed and misused, as occurred last year."

The men's team won its fifth national championship last season, and TMZ Sports noted 39 people were arrested in the ensuing celebration that included students ripping down light poles:

The men's and women's teams are each in the Final Four this season with the opportunity to add to their history of basketball success. While the men's team is going for its sixth title, the women's program has long been the gold standard of the sport and is attempting to capture a 12th national championship.

Paige Bueckers and Co. will take the court first with a Final Four showdown against Caitlin Clark and Iowa on Friday. If the Huskies can win that, they will take on either undefeated South Carolina or North Carolina State in the national title game.

Like UConn, NC State is in the Final Four in the men's and women's brackets.

The two men's teams could face off in the national championship as well with the Huskies slated to face Alabama and the Wolfpack set to play Purdue on Saturday.

UConn's women's team is in the rare position of underdog given the presence of South Carolina and Clark's record-breaking performances that have helped her become the face of the sport, but the men's team is seen as the favorite after winning its first four NCAA tournament games by an average of 27.75 points.

The Huskies showed their dominance with a 30-0 run during their Elite Eight win over Illinois and are two wins away from cutting down the nets in back-to-back years.

If they do, the celebrations may look a bit different this time around.