How UConn became the very first back-to-back nationwide champion in 17
GLENDALE, Ariz.– UConn has actually done it. The Huskies repeated as nationwide champions with a persuading 75-60 success over Purdue. Coach Dan Hurley’s team is the very first reigning champ to protect its title effectively since Florida won back-to-back championships under Billy Donovan in 2006 and 2007.
The much awaited clash of the big males measured up to its billing. Zach Edey put up his usual impressive numbers for the Boilermakers: 37 points to choose 10 rebounds. However, Donovan Clingan secured Edey straight up and allowed his teammates to stay on Purdue’s border shooters.With this loss for the Boilermakers, the Big 10’s streak now stands at 24 years and counting because Michigan State won a title for the conference in 2000. Over that span, the Big 10 is 0-8 in national title games.ESPN’s Josh
Weinfuss, John Gasaway and Myron Medcalf break down what made the distinction for UConn and where the Huskies go from here.
What was the key to UConn’s win? Christian Petersen/Getty Images With UConn in 2024, you need to point at secrets, plural. The Huskies out-Purdued Purdue in terms of getting more shots. They didn’t turn the ball over at all and crashed their offending glass. Tristen Newton revealed no fear of Edey in assaulting the paint repeatedly. Most of all, UConn’s defense remained on Purdue’s shooters. Edey scored from the field, however he didn’t get to the line, Purdue didn’t get its typical share of 2nd chances and there was only one made 3. — Gasaway
What shocked you the most about this game?How well Connecticut took away Purdue’s 3-point game. We heard after UConn beat Alabama in the semifinals how well the Huskies ran Bama off the 3-point line.Editor’s Picks![]()
1 Related They did it once again Monday night. Purdue
attempted
15 or more 3s in the first 5 games of the NCAA tournament– including shooting 20 or more in three of them– but shot just 7 and made just one against the Huskies. Purdue couldn’t determine a method to get its 3-point shooters open, whether through designed plays or off Edey’s post-ups.– Weinfuss Who was the most exceptional player?It’s difficult to refute UConn guard Tristen Newton. He kipped down a balanced game, finishing with 20 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists while playing the most minutes of any Huskies player. He kick-started UConn’s run in the second half with a 3 that extended the lead to 9 and later helped on two big alley-oops to Samson Johnson as the Huskies extended their lead. Newton, playing in his graduate year, was perfect from the line, and his two threes were the most for any UConn player.– Weinfuss What was another essential X factor?This was the Fairleigh Dickinson defense all over once again, just this time it was UConn’s version. Last year when the Knights stunned
Purdue in the round of 64, they concentrated on the remainder of the group beyond Edey. The Huskies followed the same technique and pulled it off perfectly. This was a two-point game with two minutes remaining in the first half. From that point on, however, UConn remained in control. Purdue is a No. 1 seed that went into the game 34-4. Yet even here, there was a feeling that eventually the Huskies would have their method. They did.– Gasaway What was the turning point?Purdue had the ability to keep the game within striking range for the very first 4 minutes and modification of the 2nd half although