UConn Went Again-To-Again With A Dominant Win Over Purdue

GLENDALE — On Monday night at State Farm Stadium, Dan Hurley and the UConn Huskies stayed true to the script they’ve written in 12 consecutive NCAA Match video games. The Huskies had been pushed for one half by the Purdue Boilermakers within the nationwide title sport however, in what has grow to be typical style, UConn put its foot on the ground after halftime, zooming to a double-digit lead that will by no means be relinquished. The tip end result was a 75-60 victory and the 2024 nationwide championship, with UConn turning into the primary repeat champion in males’s school basketball because the Florida Gators in 2006 and 2007.

On the outset, each groups had been energized and performing properly on offense. Regardless of early jitters, each groups related on 4-of-7 pictures earlier than the primary media timeout, with UConn’s Cam Spencer scoring seven fast factors to offer the Huskies a two-point edge.

Edey flashed his appreciable brilliance moments later. First, he completed a lob from Braden Smith in emphatic style. Edey then adopted it with a pair of monstrous blocked pictures on the defensive finish, after which acquired the very best of Donovan Clingan within the submit for a three-point play to tie the sport.

Edey scored 14 of the primary 23 factors for Purdue. On the opposite finish, UConn’s offense was additionally flowing fantastically, and the Huskies saved tempo consequently. The Huskies scored 1.4 factors per possession within the first ten minutes of the sport, together with a seven-point mini-outburst from reserve guard Hassan Diarra.

Each Edey and Clingan took very transient rests within the first half, with every lasting lower than a minute on the bench. Every absence was clearly felt, maybe prompting the respective coaches to sort things shortly, and it added to the synergy of what was already a tightly-contested half. UConn additionally inched forward with a 32-25 lead, partly as a consequence of a dry spell that noticed Purdue miss six out of seven pictures.

With Purdue maybe teetering a bit, Smith put collectively a 5-0 mini-run for the Boilermakers, together with a tricky three-pointer to drive a UConn timeout.

Smith’s triple additionally doubled as Purdue’s first long-range connection of the night, which was notable for the nation’s second-leading group in three-point accuracy. The truth is, the Boilermakers tried solely two three-pointers within the first half, maybe illustrating the consequences of UConn’s stress. Offensively, the Huskies had been led by All-American Tristen Newton, who contributed 11 factors earlier than halftime, showcasing his creativity and contact.

UConn landed the primary punch out of the locker room, pushing the result in as many as 9 factors. Then, an unlikely supply produced essentially the most charming single spotlight of the night when Purdue reserve Cam Heide threw down an earth-shattering putback dunk that additionally occurred to be his first subject purpose of the Ultimate 4.

That was adopted by a doubtlessly pivotal second through which Clingan picked up his third foul with 15:54 remaining. He went to the bench, maybe opening the door for Purdue, however backup large man Samson Johnson had different concepts. He completed back-to-back dunks after coming into the sport and gave UConn a 47-34 lead within the course of.

Whereas Purdue was in a position to preserve issues within the vary of 10-12 factors for a couple of extra minutes, the notorious UConn knockout blow was coming. Alex Karaban knocked down a triple and, after a miss by Purdue, the Huskies scored in transition to take a 56-40 lead with fewer than ten minutes to play.

By the primary 11 minutes of the second half, Purdue had solely 10 factors and three subject targets, together with the weird insistence on avoiding three-point pictures. Whereas UConn needs to be credited for defensive emphasis in that space, it was additionally clear that the Boilermakers had been going to win the mathematics battle and, with Edey cooling off after a sizzling begin, issues swung to the reigning champs. Ultimately, UConn led by as many as 18 factors within the second half, and the end result was by no means doubtful as soon as UConn assumed full management.

For Purdue, the tip end result was not what Matt Painter nor his group wished, however the Boilermakers loved their greatest season in additional than 4 a long time. The Boilermakers reached the Ultimate 4 for the primary time since 1980 and the nationwide last for the primary time since 1969. Edey was the consensus greatest participant within the sport for 2 straight years, and that was on show on the largest stage. Whereas he definitely regressed as the sport went alongside, Edey completed with 37 factors and 10 rebounds, finishing a match run through which he exceeded 20 factors and 10 rebounds in all six video games.

The Boilermakers merely couldn’t sustain with the Huskies on the different 4 positions, main Purdue to fall only one sport wanting matching Virginia’s turnaround from a primary spherical loss to a No. 16 seed to a nationwide title the next season. After all, a lot of that may be traced to the utter dominance of UConn for a second straight match. Not solely did UConn grow to be the primary repeat champion in 17 years, however they’re solely the third repeat champion in 5 a long time and the third No. 1 general seed to win the nationwide title since 2004. UConn was totally dominant for the lion’s share of each tournaments, successful every sport by double figures and overlaying the unfold in all 12 contests, which continued in Monday’s last.

Whereas UConn shot solely 6-of-22 from three-point vary, the group asserted its offensive will in different methods. Chief amongst them was the offensive glass, with the Huskies grabbing 14 of their very own missed pictures. UConn additionally dedicated solely eight turnovers, flipping the possession battle in its course, and the Huskies operated with precision to make life depressing for Purdue’s protection. The Huskies definitely had athleticism and physicality benefits on the perimeter, each on paper and in observe, however UConn additionally executed at an elite stage on the defensive finish to place its stamp on this victory.

Purdue entered the sport capturing greater than 40 p.c from three-point vary on practically 20 makes an attempt per contest, and that helped to spice up the Boilermakers to an elite offensive profile this season. Edey did his half to attain within the paint, however the Boilermakers had been merely unable to create (or make) high quality seems from the perimeter, making just one triple through the 40-minute sport. That left Purdue with no “plan B” of kinds, permitting UConn to clamp down and maximize its expertise benefit.

In the course of the common season, three males’s school basketball groups — UConn, Purdue, and Houston — stood above the remaining. The Cougars suffered debilitating accidents, together with the lack of All-American guard Jamal Shead through the match, and whereas that’s unlucky, Houston was by no means in a position to showcase its greatest. That left solely two and, over the course of a 40-minute sport on Monday and likewise over 12 NCAA Match video games over two years, the UConn Huskies vaulted themselves into a unique stratosphere. It was a totally dominant effort on the grandest stage of the game, and the get together will proceed in Storrs till observe convenes within the fall.