NCAA Championship Game

SI Staff | Apr 6, 2011

NCAA Championship Game /

NCAA Championship Game

UConn 53, Butler 41

Two miraculous tournament runs led to the unlikeliest of title games -- but Monday's showdown in Houston was historic for different reasons. "March Madness" lived up to its moniker as Butler made its second straight appearance in the championship game, but just like last year, the underdog's efforts ultimately fell short. Behind Kemba Walker and a stifling defense, the Huskies held the Bulldogs to the worst shooting percentage in title game history, a woeful 19 percent, and clawed their way to a 53-41 victory. The win gave Jim Calhoun his third career NCAA title, something only four other coaches have done in history. Click through our gallery to check out SI's best photos from the 2011 title game ...

UConn's Kemba Walker finished with 16 points and nine rebounds.

UConn 53, Butler 41

Butler forward Matt Howard goes up for a two-handed slam only to be denied by UConn's Roscoe Smith in the first half. Howard finished with seven points and six rebounds, but shot a dreadful 1-of-13 from the field.

UConn 53, Butler 41

Butler big man Andrew Smith gets a hand on a scoop shot by UConn's Kemba Walker, sending the ball out of bounds.

0.op1q-7924-mid.jpg — John W. McDonough/SI

UConn center Alex Oriakhi had 11 points and 11 rebounds against Butler.

UConn 53, Butler 41

Butler's Shawn Vazant -- one of five seniors on the Bulldogs -- looks to pass the ball over UConn's swarming defense.

UConn 53, Butler 41

UConn star Kemba Walker drives to the hoop and attempts to create some offense early on.

0.op1a-25224-mid.jpg — John W. McDonough/SI

Walker, the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, finished with 16 points and nine rebounds.

UConn 53, Butler 41

UConn head coach Jim Calhoun, 68, became the oldest coach in history to win an NCAA title with his third career championship Monday. Calhoun's Huskies won straight five games in the Big East tournament and six in the NCAAs to close out the season.

UConn 53, Butler 41

Butler's Shelvin Mack fights for a rebound against a cluster of UConn bigs. Mack led Butler with 13 points but shot just 4-of-15 from the floor.

UConn 53, Butler 41

UConn's Tyler Olander and Butler's Andrew Smith fight for position underneath as a rebound bounces off the rim. The Huskies outscored the Bulldogs 26-2 in the paint.

UConn 53, Butler 41

How bad do you want it? A gang of Huskies and Bulldogs battle for a loose ball midway through the first half. UConn outrebounded Butler 51-38.

UConn 53, Butler 41

With Butler's defense zoning in on him, UConn star Kemba Walker attempts an unconventional shot in the first half.

UConn 53, Butler 41

After holding for the last shot of the first half, Butler's Shelvin Mack drills a big 3-pointer from the top of the key to give the Bulldogs a 22-19 lead headed into the half.

UConn 53, Butler 41

Butler's Ronald Nored and Shelvin Mack celebrate at halfcourt following Mack's buzzer beater.

UConn 53, Butler 41

Butler guard Ronald Nored fights for the ball against UConn big man Charles Okwandu. Nored finished with just two points and four rebounds in the loss.

UConn 53, Butler 41

Despite being the shortest player on UConn's team, Huskies guard Shabazz Napier tries to create some offense in the paint.

UConn 53, Butler 41

Butler center Andrew Smith walks upcourt in disbelief after another missed shot. The Bulldogs made just one field goal in a 13 minute, 26 second span in the second half.

UConn 53, Butler 41

Butler guard Chase Stigall takes it to the rim and is denied by UConn's Charles Okwandu on his way up. The Huskies finished the game with 10 blocks and dominated the smaller Bulldogs inside all game long.

UConn 53, Butler 41

Butler's Matt Howard attempts to box out UConn's Charles Okwandu in the second half.

UConn 53, Butler 41

UConn guard Kemba Walker, who scored a game-high 16 points and was the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, celebrates in the closing minutes of the Huskies' win.

UConn 53, Butler 41

Thousands of fans at Butler's home arena, Hinkle Fieldhouse, look on in disappointment as they watch their Bulldogs come up short against the Huskies on television.

UConn 53, Butler 41

Butler head coach Brad Stevens stares into the distance as he watches his Bulldogs lose in the NCAA title game for the second consecutive year.

UConn 53, Butler 41

Players on UConn's bench celebrate as the final buzzer sounds, giving them a 12-point victory over Butler in the championship game.

UConn 53, Butler 41

UConn center Alex Oriakhi turns to the crowd as the clock runs out in the NCAA title game.

UConn 53, Butler 41

UConn players celebrate on the floor after the buzzer sounds. As Jim Nantz said on his telecast, "The Huskies are top dog in 2011."

UConn 53, Butler 41

UConn freshman Niels Giffey embraces Jim Calhoun following the team's win.

UConn 53, Butler 41

For the third time in his career, Jim Calhoun cuts down the net following an NCAA title victory.

UConn 53, Butler 41

UConn players look up at the Reliant Stadium JumboTron as "One Shining Moment" is played following their victory.

UConn 53, Butler 41

Kemba Walker clings to UConn's Final Four trophy during the Huskies' post-game celebration.

UConn 53, Butler 41

Kemba Walker high-fives fans as he exits the floor of Reliant Stadium.

UConn 53, Butler 41

Confetti falls to the court as the Huskies celebrate their first NCAA title since 2004.

Published Apr 6, 2011

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