UConn entered the 2011 Big East Tournament as a 21–9, No. 9 seed that was firmly on the Big Dance bubble. Over the course of the next five days, star PG Kemba Walker put the Huskies firmly on his back while putting on a show for his hometown.
The Bronx, NY, native lit up Madison Square Garden for a Big East Tournament-record 130 points, 46 more than the previous record. More important than the record were the five wins in five days — the last four of which came against ranked competition, including the title game against No. 14 Louisville — that Walker led UConn to.
Little did Huskies fans know that Walker was just warming up for even greater heroics. The junior averaged 23.5 PPG in six NCAA Tournament games, carrying UConn to an unlikely national title and easily earning Most Outstanding Player honors. He is currently in his second season with the Charlotte Bobcats.
UConn hopes to upend Louisville again on Monday night in Hartford.
