UConn titles a validation of Malloy’s hoops IQ, ahem luck

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy basks in the afterglow of UConn's victory over Kentucky in the Men's NCAA Championship Game on Monday, April 7, 2014, the fourth title for hoops program in the last 15 years. Contributed photo.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy basks in the afterglow of UConn’s victory over Kentucky in the Men’s NCAA Championship Game on Monday, April 7, 2014, the fourth title for hoops program in the last 15 years. Contributed photo.

Even Gov. Dan Malloy isn’t above “jersey popping.”

No, that’s not a reference to Chris Christie.

Connecticut’s top office holder is puffing up his chest after his top-3 finish in a NCAA tournament pool organized by state Democratic Party, in which Malloy correctly picked the UConn Huskies to cut down the nets Monday night against Kentucky.

Malloy entered the Sweet Sixteen in 89th place out of 190 entrants that included U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who finished in fourth place.

“Well I didn’t win $1 million, but I did well in my group,” Malloy told Hearst Connecticut Media Wednesday. “Coming in third place is pretty darn good.”

Hoarse from back-to-back nights of celebrating titles by both the men’s and women’s hoops squads — a feat accomplished only once before by Division 1 programs (UConn in 2004) — Malloy acknowledged that he got grief for his performance in the early rounds of the 68-team tournament.

“I was getting dissed. Did you notice that?” Malloy said.

Malloy’s loyalty to UConn — um, self-preservation — is being rewarded.

Following a bet with Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear, Malloy will receive a bourbon basket from the Kentucky Distillers’ Association made from a half barrel of Maker’s Mark and stocked with 13 brands of bourbon.

So what’s Malloy going to do with all that bourbon?

“You should swing by and we’ll serve you a drink,” Malloy said.

Malloy placed a similar wager with Indiana Gov. Mike Pence on the outcome of Tuesday night’s women’s championship, a blowout by UConn over Notre Dame in a battle of undefeateds. Pence put up unspecified agricultural products as collateral.

“I don’t know what Indiana agriculture is known for,” Malloy said. “I think they grow a lot of corn.”

Malloy said he did not farm out his brackets to policy wonks and followed college basketball closely during the regular season.

“Truth be told, I was firmly in UConn’s camp because I saw how much progress they made at the end of the regular season,” Malloy said of the men’s team. “I had faith.”

The governor characterized the 7-seed given to the men, who finished the regular season in the top-20, but got blown out at Louisville, as ridiculous.

When second-year coach Kevin Ollie’s team returned to Bradley Airport Tuesday, Malloy was among the first to greet the former UConn player on the tarmac.

“We have to lock down Kevin Ollie right now,” Malloy said of retaining the coach.

Malloy gave props to Shabazz Nappier, the tournament’s most outstanding player, too.

“Shabazz is great,” the governor said. “You know, I’ve followed him for four years. He has matured.”

Blumenthal won a similar bet with his Senate colleague from Kentucky, Rand Paul, who was forced to wear a Huskies tie Wednesday on Capitol Hill.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., straightens a UConn Huskies tie on his colleague, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky. Photo courtesy of Josh Zembik,

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., straightens a UConn Huskies tie on his colleague, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky. Wednesday on Capitol Hill. Photo courtesy of Josh Zembik,

Neil Vigdor