The moment of truth is here and we have our work cut out for us as back-to-back Naismith Players of the Year Zach Edey and Purdue take on defending champions UConn.
In a season marked by parity, the two best teams in college basketball ended up qualifying for the national championship. This game seems like the perfect way to end a memorable tournament.
Much of the focus will be on the battle of the big men as the 7-foot-4 Edey takes on the Huskies’ 7-foot-2 Donovan Clingan. While this is going on, there is also an intriguing confrontation between the guards that could determine the outcome of the match.
It’s No. 1 UConn (36-3) trying to win back-to-back titles for the first time since Florida did it in the 2006-07 seasons. This is No. 1 Purdue (34-4) still looking for redemption after losing as a 1 seed to a 16 seed in the first round of last year’s tournament.
You couldn’t make a better script, but which team will write the ending? Follow along all day as we follow the action in Phoenix.
Men’s NCAA Championship
9:20 p.m. ET – No. 1 UConn vs. No. 1 Purdue (TBS)
Live39 updates
Samson Johnson just fouled for UConn. Donovan Clingan also has 4 now. Purdue, however, probably doesn’t have time to take advantage of the problems.
UConn leads 63-46 with 5:38 left.
This is the battle we came to see.
I think we may be done here. Alex Karaban just hit a corner 3, then Hassan Diarra just made a fast break layup.
The Huskies now lead 56-40 with 9:27 left.
I have no idea how Tristen Newton managed to make this happen, but he did. UConn is working now.
Zach Edey hasn’t scored in over 10 minutes now, and UConn is up double digits with 15 minutes remaining.
OH MY.
What a dunk from Camden Heide to get us started in the second half.
The second half is underway in Arizona
Dan Hurley came running in for the second half with his suit jacket collar up, someone must have yelled at him to turn it down. He cut it close to the tip-off.
GLENDALE, Ariz. – The story of the first half was UConn’s defensive strategy.
Determined not to lose to Zach Edey’s supporting cast, the Huskies defended the Purdue giant 1-on-1 and erased Purdue’s 3-point shooters.
So far, the approach has been effective. Edey had 16 points in the first half, but Purdue didn’t attempt its third 3-pointer until a full-court heave at the halftime buzzer.
36-30 UConn at halftime…
Zach Edey leads all scorers at the halfway point
Halftime: UConn 36, Purdue 30
Purdue took just two 3-pointers in that first half, and Zach Edey and Braden Smith combined for all but five of their points, but the Boilermakers were still there at the halfway point.
Coach Keady pulled out all the stops tonight in Arizona
Braden Smith just made Purdue’s first 3-pointer of the night with 2:22 left in the first half. We have a one possession game again
UConn is coming off a 9-2 run to take a five-point lead at the under-4 timeout. Purdue’s only bucket during this period? A return of Zach Edey
Zach Edey and Dan Hurley are already going at it a bit tonight.
The game becomes a little spicy. Edey looked at the UConn bench after his final basket, a few words exchanged between Hurley and Edey en route to the huddles at the timeout. Hurley yelled “what the fuck” twice at officials after Edey was not called for an illegal check.
UConn takes an 18-16 lead into the under-12 timeout. Zach Edey scored Purdue’s final 11 points and single-handedly holds the Boilermakers this early.
Zach Edey with a huge dunk over Donovan Clingan, then he followed it up with a pair of ridiculous blocks on the other end. What a start for the Boilermakers
