The men's basketball team, better known as the 1999 NCAA national champions, made it to the top again October 14.

No, the Huskies haven't received an automatic bye to the finals of the 2000 championships. They made it to the top of the free world, meeting with President Bill Clinton, members of the Connecticut delegation in Washington, and several other Congressmen who are basketball fans.

The trip to Washington has become a regular stop on the victory tours of NCAA basketball champions since Clinton took office. This time, the UConn players presented Clinton with a team jersey, emblazoned with the number 1.

Just a little more than 24 hours later, the Huskies hit the floor of the Harry A. Gampel Pavilion, bringing down the house during Midnight Madness, the team's first official practice of the new season.

The team opens its exhibition season November 8 against the New York All Stars at the Hartford Civic Center. The regular season begins at 7:30 p.m. on November 19, when Vermont travels to the Gampel Pavilion.

Richard Veilleux