Obama honors UConn as NCAA champs

Published May. 16, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

President Barack Obama is proclaiming the Connecticut Huskies as the best college basketball team in the land.

Obama honored the University of Connecticut men's basketball team Monday for winning the 2011 NCAA national championship title. Connecticut defeated Butler University to capture the national title last month.

Obama congratulated the team and coach, but called the day bittersweet since it reminded him once again that his "bracket was a bust," a reference to his predictions for the tournament. Obama said he did not pick Connecticut to win at all, saying it was a big mistake.

Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun made a few remarks and said the team was a lot like Obama, the underdog. He said, "But you know what? Yes we can," stealing Obama's campaign slogan as the president grinned.