NCAA Championship Game 2024: Biggest Storylines for UConn vs. Purdue
The two best teams in men's college basketball will square off in Monday's national championship game in Glendale, Arizona.
The Connecticut Huskies did not look burdened at any point of the season by their title of reigning champion.
Danny Hurley's team looked as dominant as last year's squad during its NCAA men's basketball tournament run and is one win away from a rare title repeat.
The Purdue Boilermakers have a long basketball history, but no titles to show for it.
Matt Painter's side produced the program's first championship game appearance since 1969 and second in program history.
Purdue possesses the best individual on the floor in Zach Edey, and if it knocks off UConn, the seven-footer will play a massive role in that success.
UConn Attempting to Finish Repeat Title Bid
UConn is attempting to become the first repeat men's basketball champion since the Florida Gators in 2006 and 2007.
Only two programs achieved back-to-back titles since 1990. The 1991 and 1992 Duke Blue Devils were the other program to achieve that feat in that span.
The Huskies looked like a champion for most of their title defense. They lost a single game since the calendar flipped over to 2024 and each of their last six victories have come by double digits.
UConn has not been tested for more than a half throughout the NCAA tournament and there does not seem to be a way to slow it down.
The Huskies have a great mix of a dominant big man in Donovan Clingan and a strong collection of guards who can shoot and defend well.
Clingan is one of the few big men in the country who can go head-to-head with Edey and significantly affect the Purdue center's play in the paint.
UConn's team defense should limit Purdue's capabilities on the perimeter. It held its first four NCAA tournament opponents under 60 points and a limited the fast-paced Alabama Crimson Tide to 72 points in the Final Four.
All of the components of a title-winning team are there for UConn, and if it slows down Purdue's offense, it should come away from State Farm Stadium with a repeat title.
Purdue Looking for First National Title
Purdue struck the perfect roster balance in its attempt to secure its first title in program history.
Edey is one of the most dominant players we have seen in the last decade in college basketball.
The seven-foot center is a double-double machine and matchup nightmare for any of Purdue's opponents.
The Boilermakers need Edey to own the individual matchup with Clingan to gain an edge against a UConn team that displayed few flaws across 39 games.
Edey's success on his own does not guarantee Purdue will win, but it's a great first step to take in challenging UConn.
Purdue needs its guards to outplay UConn's perimeter unit to provide the perfect complement to Edey.
The Boilermakers need to play a complete five-man game, like they have all season, to counter whatever UConn throws at them.
Purdue likely will not blow out UConn if it wins, so it needs to be perfect for 40 minutes to cap one off the greatest season in program history with its first title.