Though Butler scored just four points, he posted team highs in assists and steals while adding four rebounds.

They mattered.

The pair fading into the background could be fatal for a team that scores inconsistently, shoots erratically and depends on the little things more than most.

"Hopefully, they have that kind of one shining moment," Dutcher said.

UConn is beastly, without question. It has lost just three times, all on the road. One was at then-No. 5 Kansas. Another at No. 15 Creighton, whom it earlier stiff-armed by 14.

No one scores 16 points per game, but five live in the 10.8 to 15.3 range. There's no obvious formula to take away a single player. Danger still lurks.

"UConn is obviously one of the best teams in the country," Trammell said. "It's an opportunity to show who you are. You rise to the occasion. That's how I think about it. We have a group of guys who think the same way.

"We've got nothing to lose. We're already expected to be the underdog."

UConn is favored to win by 10 1/2 points, making San Diego State the biggest longshot among the tournament's 16 remaining teams.

The narrative on one side: UConn, which cruised to the 2023 crown for the most part — minus a few tense minutes late against the Aztecs — could be better this lap.

...continued

©2024 The San Diego Union-Tribune. Visit sandiegouniontribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.