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5 Reasons Why UConn Basketball Will Cut the Nets Down in 2014

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Matthew Emmons - USATODAY Sports

5 Reasons Why UConn Basketball Will Cut the Nets Down in 2014

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Honestly, did anyone in the entire world have UConn in their national championship game? UConn has gotten hot, and they just beat a team that won 30 games in a row by 10 points. Many have compared this year's UConn team to the 2011 National Championship UConn team. Five games are finished, and the Huskies should take care of Kentucky on Monday night. Here are 5 reasons why UConn will be the 2014 NCAA Tournament champions.

5. The Emergence of DeAndre Daniels

deandre daniels
Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

5. The Emergence of DeAndre Daniels

deandre daniels
Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

DeAndre Daniels has simply been a beast in the NCAA Tournament. In the regular season, UConn fans knew Shabazz Napier would always be on his game, but Daniels was always very inconsistent. Daniels is averaging 18 points and seven rebounds per game. He has been big for UConn this tournament, and he will continue to find success against Kentucky because Julius Randle will not be able to guard him outside of the paint.

4. Kevin Ollie

kevin ollie
David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

4. Kevin Ollie

kevin ollie
David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Ollie is the epitome of a players' coach. He is active in practice, and the players love him because he has seen it all. Ollie played on 12 NBA teams, and he has played in a bunch of different systems. Ollie has seen all of the ups and downs in this game, and he is as smart as it gets. He was the hand-picked successor of Jim Calhoun, and Ollie is 5-for-5 in the NCAA Tournament right now. Ollie is truly a special coach.

3. Shabazz Napier

shabazz napier
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

3. Shabazz Napier

shabazz napier
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Shabazz Napier has been unbelievable all year for UConn. Similar to Kemba Walker in 2011, Napier has put this team on his back and they haven't looked back. Napier has this team playing their best basketball at the right time, and he isn't afraid to take the big shot for UConn. He has hit over a dozen game-winners in his time with the Huskies, and he will be the key player for the Huskies on Monday night.

2. Defense

amida brimah
David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

2. Defense

amida brimah
David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

All season, UConn has always had one of the best two-point defenses in all of college basketball. The combination of Amida Brimah and Daniels in the frontcourt has been huge. Pair that with the defensive guard play from Ryan Boatright and Napier, and it is easy to see why teams are having trouble scoring against this pesky UConn squad. The top-seeded Florida Gators only shot .388 against UConn on Saturday night.

1. Experience

uconn huskies
Matthew Emmons - USATODAY Sports

1. Experience

uconn huskies
Matthew Emmons - USATODAY Sports

When looking at Kentucky, they only have two contributors who aren't freshmen. UConn is the exact opposite. They have an experienced bunch, and the only two freshmen who play for them are Terrance Samuel and Brimah off the bench. Napier, Niels Giffey and Tyler Olander have already won a National Championship, and that experience will be noticed on Monday night when the Huskies take down the Wildcats to raise banner No. 4.

Ryan Ratty is a writer for RantSports.
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