Rebecca Lobo era .281992.E2.80.931995.29 Connecticut Huskies women's basketball

1995 championship trophy, ring, , signed ball

uconn followed surprise run final 4 in 1991 landing all-american rebecca lobo southwick, massachusetts.

uconn had modest success in lobo s first 2 seasons, losing in ncaa tournament in both seasons. in 1993–94, uconn had successful season point; led lobo , teammates jamelle elliott, jennifer rizzotti, pam webber, kara wolters , carla berube, uconn won 30 games first time in program history, winning big east tournament , regular-season titles. in ncaa tournament uconn reached elite 8 came short in hopes make final four, losing eventual champion north carolina.

1995 national championship: undefeated (35–0)

with every major player 1994, , addition of auriemma s highly ranked recruit date (connecticut player of year nykesha sales), uconn in season remember in 1994–95. season started 80-point win on morgan state; 2 weeks later, uconn defeated powerhouse north carolina state 23 points on road. season saw birth of 1 of greatest rivalries in college sports, uconn-tennessee rivalry, began when 2 teams met first time on martin luther king day @ gampel pavilion. uconn defeated tennessee 77–66 in front of sold-out crowd in game televised on espn , afterwards ranked #1 in polls first time in program history.

uconn went unbeaten through conference regular season , tournament , advanced ncaa tournament; in regional final against virginia 4-points win in closest game of year opened doors of final 4 @ target center in minneapolis. uconn blew out stanford in semifinals behind wolters 31 points, reaching championship game rematch against tennessee. in final game uconn found in trouble when lobo called 3 personal fouls in 94 seconds in first half, in second half team able rally 9-point deficit , key rizzotti layup gave uconn lead less 2 minutes go, lead team kept until final score of 70–64 , first national title. rebecca lobo named final 4 s outstanding player.

with perfect 35–0 record, uconn became fifth division women s basketball team go undefeated en route national championship, , second in ncaa era (since 1982). huskies became first unbeaten team in ncaa history (all divisions, men or women) win 35 games in season.

the 1994–95 uconn team credited increasing interest in women s basketball. team honored parade in hartford, ct drew on 100,000 spectators. team won team of year award @ espn espy awards year, , lobo became popular symbol of sport. uconn signed landmark deal during season connecticut public television broadcast games.

lobo graduated in 1995 receiving countless accolades: naismith college player of year award, wade trophy, associated press women s college basketball player of year award, usbwa women s national player of year award, honda-broderick cup, best female athlete espy award (first basketball player ever), associated press athlete of year (second basketball player after sheryl swoopes), ncaa woman of year award, academic all-america of year , all-sports academic all-america of year.

in 2010 lobo became first connecticut player inducted women s basketball hall of fame, among class of 6 inductees, followed teammate jennifer rizzotti in class of 2013.