Towards a final of big names to complete this March Madness 2024? Two favorites have held their place and advance to a favorable position in the NCAA Final Four which begins on the night of Saturday to Sunday in Phoenix. These are Connecticut and Purdue. The Huskies are aiming for a second title in a row to build on a very successful season so far. After several years of disappointment at March Madness, Purdue and its star Zach Edey are also there. Against them, Alabama and especially North Carolina State are big odds. Presentation of this meeting, one of the most important of the basketball year across the Atlantic.
Purdue (#1) – North Carolina State (#11) | 12:09 a.m. (on BeIN Sports 1)
It's not quite David versus Goliath. But it's an NCAA sauce version of Tom Thumb North Carolina State against the golgoth Zach Edey and his Purdue team. The Boilermakers responded, for their last year with their Canadian giant under the circle. The ticket for the Final Four finally in the pocket, remains to be confirmed this exercise during which they only stumbled four times in thirty-seven meetings. Talent, experience… Purdue seems above in almost all areas. What remains is the immense heart of the Wolfpack. North Carolina State and the French Interior Mohamed Diarra – three double-doubles in four outings this March Madness – might not even have been March festivities without a run in the final ACC tournament, up to that of the entire country (9 consecutive victories).
– The duel: Zach Edey – DJ Burns
This Final Four of the “big men” will begin with a colossal shock. On one side, Zach Edey, once again elected player of the season and monster of domination at the university level (25 points at 62.4%, 12.2 rebounds, 2.2 blocks). The other, DJ Burns, darling of this March Madness for his combination of an enormous physique (124 kg) with velvet technique. Edey has the centimeters (2m24) on his side, but he will not be able to dictate his power so easily. Burns will face a double challenge: to be as decisive as against Duke during the Elite Eight (29 points) and not to let the Canadian realize a building site as since the start of the final stages, with 30 points and 16.2 rebounds on average.
The course
1st round: 78-50 against Grambling (#16)
2e round: 106-67 against Utah State (#8)
Sweet Sixteen: 80-68 against Gonzaga (#5)
Elite Eight: 72-66 against Tennessee (#2)
1st round: 80-67 against Texas Tech (#8)
2e round: 79-73 against Oakland (#14)
Sweet Sixteen: 67-58 against Marquette (#2)
Elite Eight: 76-64 against Duke (#4)
– The number: 3
North Carolina State will experience only the third Final Four in its history, after 1974 and 1983. Two journeys for… Two titles! 41 years ago already, the Wolfpack appeared out of nowhere to win the coronation, dominating the Houston of Akeem Olajuwon (at the time, without H), Clyde Drexler or the future star of CSP Limoges Michael Young.
Connecticut (#1) – Alabama (#4) | 2h49 (on BeIN Sports 1)
But who will be able to challenge the title at UConn? The outgoing champion seems almost untouchable, and even gained momentum during March Madness with successes of 39, 17, 30 and 25 points difference! With a very balanced workforce and in continuity with the 2023 coronation, the Huskies continue to stifle opponent after opponent, with the best offensive rating in the country, while being on the verge of the Top 10 defensively. Enough to stop the Crimson Tide's all-out attack? Alabama boasts the 3rd offensive rating (offensive efficiency), and the 2nd pace (number of possessions) in the entire NCAA. And coach Nate Oats' team now has no complexes facing the “big guys”, after taking out North Carolina (#1) in the Sweet Sixteen.
– The duel: Tristen Newton – Mark Sears
It's difficult to stand out a player in Connecticut, as the roster is so rich, between pivot Donovan Clingan, excellent in this March Madness, or senior shooter Cam Spencer. Special mention, however, to Tristen Newton, leader by example of the team and who took on a serious “all-around” dimension (15 points, 6.7 rebounds, 6.1 assists) for his second season after his transfer to UConn. Opposite him, Mark Sears will be the man to stop, a scorer as prolific as he is efficient (21.5 points at 50.4% / 43.4 / 85.9).
The course
1st round: 91-52 against Stetson (#16)
2e round: 75-58 against Northwestern (#9)
Sweet Sixteen: 82-52 against San Diego State (#5)
Elite Eight: 77-52 against Illinois (#3)
1st round: 109-96 against Charleston (#13)
2e round: 72-61 against Grand Canyon (#12)
Sweet Sixteen: 89-87 against North Carolina (#1)
Elite Eight: 89-82 against Clemson (#6)
– The figure: 2007
We have to go back to the Florida of Joakim Noah, Al Horford or Corey Brewer to find traces of a university that managed to retain its title. The Gators are even the only ones to have done it in the 21st century, before perhaps Connecticut on Monday night.
