Men's National Championship Preview

    Written by: William Petersen •

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    National Championship

    Purdue v. UConn 9:20 ET on TBS

    The greatest postseason in sports has finally come to a head as the Men’s National Championship will feature two teams that have been on a collision course for each other all year, the Purdue Boilermakers and defending champion Connecticut Huskies. Purdue came into the 2023/24 season with a chip on their shoulder after getting bounced by 16 seed Fairleigh Dickinson in the first round last year, hungry to prove that they were worth another 1 seed in this year's tournament. The Boilermakers are highlighted by the now back-to-back Men’s Player of the Year in Zach Edey who’s 7’4” frame dominates the glass and around the rim, especially when facing a smaller opponent. Edey will have his hands full Monday night as he will have to work around UConn’s star 7’2” center Donovan Clingan. Clingan has been an integral cog in the UConn basketball machine that has won 11 straight tournament games dating back to last year and will have all of his energy focused on containing Zach Edey and making UConn the first back-to-back champions since the Florida Gators in 2006 and 2007.

    Head coach Matt Painter and the Boilermakers have dealt with arguably the most adversity in college basketball the past two tournaments after having two first round exits in their past four tournament appearances, both coming to double digit seeds. Zach Edey braced the brunt of the criticism that was thrown Purdue’s way after losing in the first round last year, which has only seemed to fuel the Toronto natives drive towards getting Purdue to their first Final Four since 1980 and their first National Championship game since 1969. Edey will have the toughest matchup of his career in Clingan tonight but this marquee matchup might not be the x-factor in tonight’s finale. The back-to-back Men’s Player of the Year will get his fair share of rebounds and looks around the rim, but it will be interesting to see how much havoc the Huskies can create around Edey in order to get the ball out of his hands. If UConn can draw successful double teams and switches, Edey will have to use his passing to find outside shooters like Fletcher Loyer, who had 11 points and four rebounds in their win over NC State. Loyer and other starting guard Lance Jones will have to hit their shots early and often if they want to get the Huskies sweating, especially if UConn neutralizes Edey from the jump. The overall guard play of Purdue will be a clear indication of if the Boilermakers can cap off an historic season by their star center and finally quiet the haters that have given Purdue so much noise during Edey’s entire collegiate career.

    The UConn Huskies under fiery head coach Dan Hurley seem to have been waiting for this moment all season as the majority of their 2023/24 campaign has been somewhat on cruise control after winning 11 consecutive tournament games by double digits. This dominant postseason run has come from a culture that Hurley has built since becoming head coach in 2018. The dominance of UConn is catalyzed by their star center Donovan Clingan who finished with 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 blocks against the highest scoring offense in the country in the Alabama Crimson Tide. Clingan is a force down low and should have no problem giving Zach Edey a run for his money as Clingan should have the advantage physically. This game will ultimately be decided in UConn’s favor due to the depth the Huskies have in their backcourt. Freshman guard Stephon Castle showed why he was a McDonald’s All-American and five star recruit after dropping 21 points and 5 rebounds on 7/13 shooting in the Final Four, making him one of the key players for the Huskies tonight. Castle along with Tristen Newton and Cam Spencer will need to continue their efficient offensive production and dominate on the glass if UConn is going to go back-to-back. If UConn’s backcourt can hit shots early and win the rebound differential, the Huskies will be National Champions and could be considered one of the best college basketball teams in the history of the sport. Not even a solar eclipse will turn the tide in Purdue’s favor on a night which will be capped off by the deja vu of UConn cutting down the nets in Glendale, Arizona and cutting down all the doubt that Dan Hurley has created a dynasty in Storrs, Connecticut.

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