UConn Basketball Aims for Rare Dual Championships

Paige Bueckers and Stefanie Dolson reflect on the excitement of UConn's women's and men's teams both reaching the Final Four.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 2:20am

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Former UConn star Paige Bueckers and 2014 national champion Stefanie Dolson are rooting for the Huskies to pull off a rare dual championship, with both the UConn women's and men's basketball teams advancing to the Final Four. This has only happened two times in NCAA history, both times with UConn. Bueckers praised the women's team's resilience, while Dolson is confident they will defend their title. UConn coach Geno Auriemma celebrated the women's 25th Final Four appearance with a cowboy hat and dance, which Dolson said didn't surprise her given his close relationship with the players.

Why it matters

Dual championships by a university's men's and women's basketball teams are an extremely rare feat, having only been accomplished twice in NCAA history - both times by the UConn Huskies. This speaks to the exceptional strength and consistency of the UConn basketball programs, which have become synonymous with excellence at the highest levels of college basketball.

The details

The UConn women's and men's basketball teams have both advanced to the 2026 Final Four, marking the 15th time in NCAA history that a university has accomplished this. However, winning both championships in the same year has only happened twice before - in 2014 when the UConn women and men both won national titles within 24 hours of each other. Former UConn stars Paige Bueckers and Stefanie Dolson are rooting for the Huskies to pull off this rare feat again, praising the women's team's resilience and chemistry. UConn coach Geno Auriemma celebrated the women's 25th Final Four appearance with an exuberant cowboy hat dance, which Dolson said was in line with his close relationship with the players.

  • The UConn women's and men's teams both advanced to the 2026 Final Four.
  • The UConn Huskies last achieved dual championships in 2014, when the women's and men's teams won national titles within 24 hours of each other.

The players

Paige Bueckers

A former UConn superstar who led the Huskies to the program's 12th national title in 2025.

Stefanie Dolson

A member of the 2014 UConn women's championship team that won the title the same year the men's team also won the national championship.

Geno Auriemma

The head coach of the UConn women's basketball team, who celebrated the team's 25th Final Four appearance with an exuberant cowboy hat dance.

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What they’re saying

“We didn't get to have a dual year. We were close.”

— Paige Bueckers, Former UConn Superstar

“It was a really special moment for us when we won and then the men have won the next day.”

— Stefanie Dolson, 2014 UConn Women's Championship Team Member

“They look great. I'm excited to watch them play. I think they're going to take the championship.”

— Stefanie Dolson, 2014 UConn Women's Championship Team Member

“The resilience and the togetherness stood out for sure. And for me, it's always like I'm scared (for) other teams coming out third quarter because I know what coach is saying at halftime.”

— Paige Bueckers, Former UConn Superstar

“I have some stories about Geno (Auriemma) that people would be shocked about, but it's just good to see all the girls have such a great relationship with him.”

— Stefanie Dolson, 2014 UConn Women's Championship Team Member

What’s next

The UConn women's and men's basketball teams will compete in the 2026 NCAA Final Four, with the potential to become the third university to achieve dual national championships.

The takeaway

UConn's basketball programs have cemented their status as national powerhouses, with the potential to make history by becoming only the third university to win both the men's and women's NCAA championships in the same year. The close-knit relationships between the players and coaches, as well as the shared sense of pride in the Huskies' legacy, make this a truly special moment for the UConn community.