Hartford - Any debate about the most beloved team in UConn men's basketball history has to start with the 2010-11 national champion Huskies.

There was an abundance of evidence on display during Sunday's national championship victory parade and rally.

This was a genuine Husky lovefest.

Adoring fans expressed their love for UConn in various ways - screaming, shouting players' names and waving signs, including a couple with marriage proposals for crowd favorite Kemba Walker, the most lovable Husky of them all.

"It was just a lot of fun," Walker said. "It is something that I will always remember."

Coach Jim Calhoun also was touched by the turnout and reception. The Huskies clearly captured the hearts of their fans with their amazing postseason run.

"It's just a wonderful day," Calhoun said. "It is further evidence just how much these kids were loved and UConn basketball is loved throughout the entire state, particularly here in the city of Hartford."

The UConn basketball team rode on the upper level of a double-decker bus during the parade that started and ended at the State Capitol. Calhoun stood in front with three of his grandchildren. Walker bounced back and forth between both sides of the bus to wave to the crowd. Freshman Shabazz Napier and senior Donnell Beverly showed off the national championship trophy.

The Huskies knew fans would wrap their collective arms around them but had no idea how tight and warm the embrace would be Sunday.

The sight of an estimated 40,000 people lining the parade route four of five deep caught them by surprise and really hit home what winning a national championship means to their passionate followers.

"I didn't expect all those people," sophomore Alex Oriakhi said. "When we first started, to see all those people and to see all the support that Connecticut shows us, it was definitely humbling. We're just blessed to be in the position that we're in and to have the season we had and to have the fans we have in Connecticut."

Sunday marked one of the last times that the 2010-11 national champion Huskies are together. Walker is forgoing his final season to enter the NBA draft. Seniors Beverly and Charles Okwandu are moving on.

The coaching staff is changing, too. Assistant coach Andre LaFleur is leaving to become the associate head coach at Providence College. Glen Miller is being promoted from director of basketball administration to assistant.

LaFleur did not attend the parade.

"We'll have a coaching change but the best thing to do is to talk to Andre about that," Calhoun said.

Oriakhi elaborated about the changes.

"I guess he was going for more money," Oriakhi said of LaFleur. "It wasn't really a shock to me. He has to do what's best for him and his family. For him to leave this program with a national championship, I guess that's the best way he can go out.

"We're going to be all set with coach Miller moving up. Coach Miller is one of the guys we really look up to because he really knows what he's talking about. … I'm just looking forward to working with him."

Oriakhi also said that life is returning to normal almost two weeks removed from beating Butler on April 4 in Houston to win the national championship.

The Huskies already are working out for next season. They hope to reward their fan base with another title.

Sunday's Husky lovefest will serve as extra motivation.

Calhoun started thinking about next season while riding with his team on the parade route.

"I'm thinking as I look at the kids on the bus, if they like this, then they can work really hard and do this again," Calhoun said. "But, most importantly, this is not really reality. You're not going to have a parade in your honor, with whatever number of people there, and people screaming your name.

"Reality comes in real quick. I love the rewards that they get, that's really important. … I'm always looking ahead."

g.keefe@theday.com