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PHOTOS: UConn men’s national champs get warm welcome home

Clutching the NCAA trophy, UConn’s Donovan Clingan and teammates leave the stage at the end of a “Welcome Home” rally at Gampel Pavilion, April 9, 2024, after the Huskies won the NCAA Championship game Monday in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant

A group of fans make faces while posing for photos with UConn men’s basketball head coach Dan Hurley after a “Welcome Home” rally at Gampel Pavilion, April 9, 2024, after the Huskies won the NCAA Championship game Monday in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant

UConn guard Tristen Newton addresses the crowd during a “Welcome Home” rally at Gampel Pavilion, April 9, 2024, after the Huskies won the NCAA Championship game Monday in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant

UConn fans Jake Barton, 11, and his brother Max Barton, 9, of Cromwell, take a selfie with UConn men’s basketball head coach Dan Hurley after a “Welcome Home” rally at Gampel Pavilion, April 9, 2024, after the Huskies won the NCAA Championship game Monday in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant

UConn men’s basketball head coach Dan Hurley gestures “two” for bringing home a second consecutive national championship during a “Welcome Home” rally at Gampel Pavilion, April 9, 2024, after the Huskies won the NCAA Championship game Monday in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant

UConn fans listen to speeches from the men’s basketball team during a “Welcome Home” rally at Gampel Pavilion, April 9, 2024, after the Huskies won the NCAA Championship game Monday in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant

UConn’s Donovan Clingan (second from right) gestures to someone in the crowd during a “Welcome Home” rally at Gampel Pavilion, April 9, 2024, after the Huskies won the NCAA Championship game Monday in Phoenix, Arizona. Seated with Clingan are teammates Jaylin Stewart, Alex Karaban and Tristen Newton (l-r.) Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant

UConn Husky guard Tristen Newton’s name and number was added to the Wall of Honor during a “Welcome Home” rally at Gampel Pavilion, April 9, 2024, after the Huskies won the NCAA Championship game Monday in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant

UConn men’s basketball head coach Dan Hurley pumps up the crowd during a “Welcome Home” rally at Gampel Pavilion, April 9, 2024, after the Huskies won the NCAA Championship game Monday in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant

Actor Bill Murray arrives at Gampel Pavilion before the start of a “Welcome Home” rally at Gampel Pavilion, April 9, 2024, after the Huskies won the NCAA Championship game Monday in Phoenix, Arizona. Murray’s son, Luke Murray, is a UConn assistant coach. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant

UConn men’s basketball head coach Dan Hurley high fives fans as he arrives at a “Welcome Home” rally at Gampel Pavilion, April 9, 2024, after the Huskies won the NCAA Championship game Monday in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant

UConn’s Donovan Clingan addresses the crowd during a “Welcome Home” rally at Gampel Pavilion, April 9, 2024, after the Huskies won the NCAA Championship game Monday in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant

Part of the UConn men’s basketball team and coaches cheer during a “Welcome Home” rally at Gampel Pavilion, April 9, 2024, after the Huskies won the NCAA Championship game Monday in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant

A young fan dances in her seat while waiting for the start of a “Welcome Home” rally at Gampel Pavilion, April 9, 2024, after the Huskies won the NCAA Championship game Monday in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant

UConn’s Donovan Clingan acknowledges the applause of fans as he arrives at a “Welcome Home” rally at Gampel Pavilion, April 9, 2024, after the Huskies won the NCAA Championship game Monday in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant

UConn men’s basketball head coach Dan Hurley hugs player Tristen Newton after a banner naming Newton to the Husky Wall of Honor was unveiled during a “Welcome Home” rally at Gampel Pavilion, April 9, 2024, after the Huskies won the NCAA Championship game Monday in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant

The UConn cheerleaders entertain the crowd while waiting for the start of a “Welcome Home” rally at Gampel Pavilion, April 9, 2024, after the Huskies won the NCAA Championship game Monday in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant

UConn’s Stephon Castle high fives fans as he arrives at a “Welcome Home” rally at Gampel Pavilion, April 9, 2024, after the Huskies won the NCAA Championship game Monday in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant

UConn’s Cam Spencer high fives fans as he arrives at a “Welcome Home” rally at Gampel Pavilion, April 9, 2024, after the Huskies won the NCAA Championship game Monday in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant

UConn freshman Isabella Perdigoto, of New Milford, poses for a photo holding a cutout of UConn’s Donovan Clingan while waiting for the start of a “Welcome Home” rally at Gampel Pavilion, April 9, 2024, after the Huskies won the NCAA Championship game Monday in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant