STORRS, Conn. -- The Connecticut Huskies celebrated another national championship where their season began nearly six months ago -- with thousands of fans cheering them on at Gampel Pavilion.

More than 3,000 people packed the arena's lower level Wednesday afternoon to welcome home the Huskies. UConn repeated as champs with a 73-68 victory over Tennessee on Tuesday night in Atlanta. Player of the Year Diana Taurasi led the Huskies to their fourth NCAA title in eight years, and they did it without a senior on the squad.

"That just shows you can't use that as an excuse,'' Taurasi said. "After the game there was a sense of relief and a sense of fulfillment.''

Back-to-back titles seemed unlikely back in October when coach Geno Auriemma began working with the young team. With four incoming freshmen, the Huskies had the task of following in the footsteps of one of the most dominant teams in the sport, replacing four All-Americans.

"Last year was a terrific ride, but you all expected that last year, from the first day of practice until the end,'' Auriemma told the crowd.

This year he didn't know what would happen.

"It's like the little kids went downstairs and couldn't wait to see what was under the Christmas tree,'' he said. "And you know what. (Tuesday) night was Christmas in Atlanta. And playing the role of Santa Claus is Diana Taurasi.''

The All-American junior joined her coach for the trophy presentation. With music blaring, the players walked the floor greeting fans, signing autographs and posing for pictures.

Sophomore center Jessica Moore took the same victory lap last year, but this one may have been even better.

"It means the world to me,'' she said. "This past year has been really, really hard and for us to win this way against Tennessee is amazing.''

For some fans, the championship celebration was like an unofficial state holiday. Many skipped school and work to attend.

"There's just no question, you have to go,'' said Kristin Gove, of Manchester. "We wouldn't miss it.''

The homecoming ceremony was just one of many celebrations across the state for the national champions. On Connecticut's highways, digital traffic signs glowed with congratulatory messages: "UConn Huskies: 2003 basketball champions!''

Earlier in the day, about 150 fans braved the falling snow and freezing rain to greet the team at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks.

As the national champions stepped down from the plane, stopping briefly to embrace Gov. John G. Rowland, the crowd erupted into cheers, yelling "Geno! Geno! Geno!'' and "We love you, Diana!''

"I don't think any group of kids ever deserved to be national champions more than this group did,'' Auriemma told the crowd He'll have them all back next year.

Did someone say three-peat?

"Sounds good,'' Taurasi said. "Sounds good.''