It was billed as a big-man battle between Purdue’s Zach Edey against UConn’s Donovan Clingan. That didn’t give the Huskies guards enough credit.
UConn won a second straight title on Monday night through a relentless attack from its backcourt in a 75-60 win over Purdue. Tristen Newton, Stephon Castle and Cam Spencer were just too much for the Boilermakers, pulling up from range and weaving through the Purdue defense at will as the Huskies pulled away from their second title in as many years.
Edey was his usual dominant self on the low block, but he didn’t have much help from his teammates. The two-time Naismith Player of the Year finished with 37 points and 10 rebounds in the loss as Purdue fell just short in its redemption tour a year after falling to a 16-seed in the first round of the tournament.
It’s the first time a team has won back-to-back titles since Florida did it in the 2006-07 seasons.
That’ll do it. UConn goes back-to-back and picks up its sixth national championship.
Dan Hurley just barely avoided what easily would have been the funniest ejection in basketball history. UConn is less than 3 minutes from a championship, and he just pushed his own player on the court.
UConn is just minutes away from winning back-to-back titles, something we haven’t seen since 2006 and 2007.
And there we have it.
Samson Johnson just fouled out for UConn. Donovan Clingan has 4 now, too. Purdue, though, is likely out of time to take advantage of the foul trouble.
UConn leads 63-46 with 5:38 to go.
This is the battle we came to see.
I think we may be done here. Alex Karaban just hit a corner 3, and then Hassan Diarra just drilled a fast break layup.
The Huskies are up 56-40 now with 9:27 to go.
I have no idea how Tristen Newton got this to go, but he pulled it off. UConn is rolling now.
Zach Edey hasn’t scored in more than 10 minutes now, and UConn is up by double digits with 15 minutes to go
OH MY.
What a dunk from Camden Heide to get us going in the second half.
The second half is underway in Arizona
Dan Hurley came running out for the second half with the collar of his suit coat up, someone had to yell at him to turn it down. He was cutting it close to tipoff.
GLENDALE, Ariz. — The story of the first half is UConn’s defensive strategy.
Hell bent on not losing to Zach Edey’s supporting cast, the Huskies are defending the Purdue giant 1-on-1 and erasing Purdue’s 3-point shooters.
The approach so far has been effective. Edey has 16 first-half points, but Purdue didn’t attempt its third 3-pointer until a full-court heave at the halftime buzzer.
36-30 UConn at the half …
Zach Edey leads all scorers halfway through
Halftime: UConn 36, Purdue 30
Purdue took just two 3-pointers in that first half, and Zach Edey and Braden Smith combined for all but five of their points, but the Boilermakers are still in this at the midway point.
Coach Keady went all out tonight in Arizona
Braden Smith just hit Purdue’s first 3-pointer of the night with 2:22 left in the first half. We’ve got a one-possession game again
UConn just went on a 9-2 run to grab a five point lead at the under-4 timeout. Purdue’s only bucket during that stretch? A put-back from Zach Edey
Zach Edey and Dan Hurley are going at it a bit already tonight.
Game getting a little spicy. Edey stared down the UConn bench after his last basket, a couple words exchanged between Hurley and Edey on way to huddles at the timeout. Hurley yelling “what the f— is that” twice to the officials after Edey wasn’t called for an illegal screen.
UConn takes an 18-16 lead into the under-12 timeout. Zach Edey’s scored Purdue’s last 11 points, and is single-handedly keeping the Boilermakers in this early.
Zach Edey with a huge dunk over Donovan Clingan, and then he followed it a pair of ridiculous blocks on the other end. What a start for the Boilermakers
Cam Spencer is 3-of-3 from the field so far tonight, so this strategy may not be the best.
Something to watch: UConn is punishing Zach Edey’s drop coverage by having Clingan set ball screens for its best shooter, Cam Spencer. No idea how Purdue can combat that besides … hope he misses?!
Zach Edey’s backed Donovan Clingan down successfully twice now, but the Huskies hold an 11-9 lead at the first media timeout. We’ve got a battle so far
Purdue controls the tip, and we’re underway in Arizona.
For what it’s worth, it was a clean sweep for the defending national champions tonight.
The whole TNT Sports crew sticks with the favorite, taking UConn to beat Purdue in tonight’s National Championship Game. 🏀🏆 pic.twitter.com/11HR1MpVaD
In non-national championship game news, Nate Oats has just removed himself from consideration for the Kentucky job. Incredible timing there
GLENDALE, Ariz. — The rare title game pitting college basketball’s two best teams is minutes from tipoff. For UConn, this is about repeating. For Purdue, it’s about redemption.
I hope we get a game worthy of the buildup, but I’m worried whether Purdue’s guards can hold up to UConn’s defensive pressure. Pregame prediction sure to be wrong: 77-64 Huskies.
Purdue’s Zach Edey on UConn’s Donovan Clingan: ‘We’ve got a game plan for him’
Danny Green and the Yahoo Sports crew break down the key matchups in the title game
Who do you like to score the first bucket of the game?
With all eyes on the big men, UConn vs. Purdue NCAA title game could come down to perimeter play
One year after historic win over No. 1 Purdue, is Fairleigh Dickenson rooting for the Boilermakers?
Purdue’s Zach Edey vs. UConn’s Donovan Clingan is an epic matchup worthy of the NCAA championship stage
Most bettors believe UConn will get another big win on their way to history
We’re still about 45 minutes away from tip so here’s some light reading material to help you get ready for the action.
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