Report: UConn expected to arrive in Phoenix around 2 a.m. Thursday at the Final Four after travel issues
UConn athletic director Dave Benedict has revealed the latest twist in the Huskies struggles to travel to the Final Four. He revealed to college basketball insider Jeff Goodman revealed that the plan is to have a smaller plane take off around midnight local time.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel elaborated on Goodman’s initial report.
“Was told that UConn’s men’s team appears to have a solution to its travel woes getting to Arizona,” Thamel wrote. “A flight is expected to leave around 11:30 tonight. They’ll get in around 2 a.m.”
It was previously reported that Huskies were struggling to get to Glendale. Their plane was supposed to take off at 6 p.m. ET on Wednesday, but the plane coming in from Kansas City had mechanical and logistical issues, head coach Dan Hurley told CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander.
UConn’s opponent, Alabama, as well as NC State and Purdue have already arrived in the Phoenix area in preparation for college basketball’s marquee event.
Amid the turmoil, the NCAA released a statement on the next steps in getting the Huskies’ to the Final Four.
“Due to mechanical issues with the original aircraft, UConn men’s basketball team is experiencing a delay and is now projected to depart at approximately 11:30 p.m. ET. In conjunction with the school and charter airlines, the NCAA worked to develop several options for travel alternatives to Phoenix. We are very disappointed that UConn will arrive later than anticipated and it’s unfortunate the team’s travel experience has been impacted,” the NCAA wrote, via Goodman.
Travel mishaps aside, UConn has been a dominating force all season long but is seemingly playing its best basketball in March. They’ve won every game so far during the NCAA Tournament by double digits, went on an unheard of 30-0 run against Illinois in the Elite 8 and, as it stands, travel issues seem to be the only thing separating UConn from a second-straight national championship.
However, the Alabama Crimson Tide will have something to say about that. They’ll look to unseat the Huskies from the tournament in Glendale on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:49 p.m. ET and will air live on TBS. UConn has jumped out an 11.5-point betting favorites against Alabama, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. The over/under is set at 160.5 points.