KEVIN'S TAKE: Flashback Time for UConn

Updated 8:44 PM EDT, Sat, Apr 4, 2009

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8:10pm -- 4/4/09

You can't begin to imagine the atmosphere at Ford Field. This is not what Dr. Naismith envisioned. It's not only a football stadium, it is a football crowd. The problem for UConn at this Final Four is that it's like homecoming weekend for Michigan State.

It is very loud and it seems like nearly all of the 72,000 are pulling for the Spartans. The Michigan State is only 92 miles away. But it's much more than that.

This region has been devastated by the downturn in the auto industry. With every basket by the Spartans it's as if a weight is being lifted. A hoops bailout--people happy to scream at something other than another auto plant closing.

That said, the UConn fight song is now playing and the Huskies fans that are here, maybe 800, love being here. And remember, UConn's last visit to Ford Field was at the 2004 Motor City Bowl--a UConn win.

If they can hit some shots and make their free throws, UConn can silence this partisan crowd. Not an easy thing to do.

1:30pm -- 4/4/09

It is flashback time for UConn basketball this weekend as both basketball teams play in their respective Final Fours. I am enroute to Detroit to cover the Huskies and Michigan State. I will eventually make my way to St. Louis to report on the UConn women's team as they chase National Championship #6.

It's a flashback because we all remember 2004 when UConn became the first school to win both the men's and women's titles in the same year. What a week that was for me.

On monday that year the men beat Georgia Tech for the title. On tuesday, the women won the championship. Then on thursday, my third child Katie was born. We brought Katie home on Good Friday. If all of that wasn't enough, my man Phil Mickelson won his first major, The Masters, on sunday.

So needless to say, it will be tough to top that this week especially since there are no more Nathan kids on the way. But a repeat of 2004 could become a reality for UConn hoops.

I ran into a number of fans at Bradley Airport this morning. They were heading to St. Louis. One longtime UConn supporter and alum was going to watch the men's game tonight with Geno Auriemma on tv of course. Another fan was wearing basketball shape beads. She told me it's good luck.

The UConn women will not need luck. They are by far the best team in the country and will prove it this weekend and early next week.

The UConn men have a much tougher challenge. But I think they will beat Michigan State tonight. I will share my thoughts during and after the game.

Enjoy Final Four weekend. Only in Connecticut does this happen once every five years.