Seventeen years since this happened in the NCAA. Since Joakim Noah's Florida double in 2006 and 2007, no NCAA champion has managed to retain his title. This shows that a victory for Connecticut against Purdue would be an event, and the final takes place this evening in Phoenix. Winners in the San Diego State final last season, the Huskies seem untouchable in this March Madness with victories of 39, 17, 30, 25 and 14 points difference! Which gives an average difference of 25 points…
Despite losing some major players, like Andre Jackson Jr. (Bucks) and Jordan Hawkins (Pelicans), UConn has not weakened with only three defeats during the season, and the team remains on 12 straight wins. The strong points ? A defense that limits its opponents below 45% at 2-points, a balanced attack with Stephon Castle and Tristen Newton on the outside and the Karaban-Clingan pair under the panels, but also a bench capable of making the difference, as against Alabama in the semifinals. The squad is dense, and it's a real steamroller capable of playing 40 minutes without weakening. We also saw it against Alabama, who resisted for 30 minutes before cracking.
Zach Edey, historic domination
Opposite, there is Purdue, the other big favorite for March Madness. It's a dream final, and only the Boilermakers seem capable of stopping UConn's road to the double. For this, Matt Painter can count on the best player of the season, the immense Zach Edey. At 2m24, the Canadian is a monster in college basketball, and he averages 28 points, 15.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.8 blocks. Zach Edey is only the third player in history to have at least 140 points and 70 rebounds in an NCAA tournament. The two others ? Jerry West and Elgin Baylor. Purdue also requires enormous mentality to make us forget the big failures of the last two seasons. Unlike the Huskies, the bench is lighter, and only Mason Gillis is capable of impacting a match.
Prognosis : Connecticut
Not to miss
The Edey – Clingan duel. It feels like we're back in the 70s or 80s when centers dominated college basketball. Face to face, the 2m24 of Zach Edey, best player in the NCAA for two years, and the 2m18 of Donovan Clingan, announced in the Top 10 of the next Draft. Edey's aggression is truly impressive, and he is a machine at recovering free throws. Clingan appeals more to NBA scouts with his mobility and touch.
Did you know ?
A second title for Purdue? While Connecticut is aiming for a 6th title, this will be the second final in Purdue's history, after the one lost in 1969 against UCLA. However, the Boilermakers already have a title on their roster. It was in 1932, and they were led by the legendary John Wooden. At the time, there was no tournament to choose the NCAA champion, and it was a committee of experts who met to choose the best team of the season. The crazy thing is that Purdue was chosen twelve years later!
Course
Purdue
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)
Semi-final: 63-50 against North Carolina State (#11)
Connecticut
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)
Semi-final: 86-72 against Alabama (#4)
Television
At 3:00 a.m. on beIN SPORTS 1
