Video: Vikings' Aaron Jones Hypes UConn, Cousin Tristen Newton, During Final Four Win
Apr 7, 2024
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 20: Aaron Jones #33 of the Green Bay Packers warms up before the NFC Divisional Playoffs against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on January 20, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones was in the house for No. 1 UConn's 86-72 Final Four win over No. 4 Alabama on Saturday night.
While he didn't attend UConn or Alabama, he has a special connection to the Huskies. His cousin, Tristen Newton, is a member of the team, and he got to experience the Final Four win in person.
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 7, 2024
Newton showed out in front of his cousin with 12 points and nine assists, helping lead his team to a second straight national championship game. The star guard is the Huskies' leading scorer this season and will be looking for another big performance in the title game on Monday.
Newton is in his final collegiate season after spending three years at East Carolina and two years with UConn. He's been a huge addition out of the transfer portal for the Huskies, averaging double digits in each of his seasons with the team. This year, he's putting up a career-high 6.1 assists per game.
UConn has a tough matchup on Monday against No. 1 Purdue, who beat No. 11 NC State to advance to the title game. Both teams boast outstanding offenses and this year's championship is sure to be an exciting one.
Jones was hyped after UConn's win on Monday, and he'll be looking to celebrate another win with his cousin on Monday.
UConn's Donovan Clingan Keys Final Four Win vs. Alabama as CBB Fans Eye Edey Matchup
Apr 7, 2024
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - APRIL 06: Stephon Castle #5 of the Connecticut Huskies reacts in the second half against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal game at State Farm Stadium on April 06, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
For the second consecutive season, the UConn Huskies are headed to the national championship.
Alabama hung with the Huskies for the majority of the game but were unable to top the defending champions
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 7, 2024
The Huskies entered halftime with a 44-40 lead and only built on it in the final half. Alabama was able to remain close during the early stages of the second half, but several strong runs sealed the victory for UConn
Every starter for UConn registered at least 12 points, The attack was led by Stephon Castle, who had 21 points. Donovan Clingan had 18, Alex Karaban and Cam Spencer had 14 each and Tristen Newton had 12. Mark Sears led Alabama with 24 points.
Clingan's performance also included five rebounds, four blocks and one assist, and had several highlight plays.
UConn vs. Purdue, the game that the college basketball world wants and needs, is finally happening. Clingan is the only big man in college who can hang with Edey one on one, both teams have exciting guards, and the story of redemption vs. domination. It doesn’t get any better.
Edey and the Purdue Boilermakers will be looking to earn the programs first national championship in its second-ever trip to the game. UConn, on the other hand, is in a very different situation.
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 7, 2024
UConn won the 2022-23 title and have five total national championships in program history. It has never lost in the round.
NCAA Championship Game 2024: Early Preview, Predictions for UConn vs. Purdue
Apr 7, 2024
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - APRIL 06: Zach Edey #15 of the Purdue Boilermakers celebrates in the second half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal game at State Farm Stadium on April 06, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The field of 68 is down to two teams and the NCAA men's national championship game is set.
In a battle of top seeds, No. 1 Purdue will face No. 1 UConn in the NCAA Tournament title game on Monday.
The Boilermakers took care of business against No. 11 NC State in the Final Four Saturday, ending the Wolfpack's miraculous Cinderella run. NC State kept things manageable through the first half and much of the second half, but Purdue used a 12-1 run to gain some breathing room late and win the game 63-50.
Now, the Boilermakers will play in the championship game for the first time since 1969, when they fell to UCLA.
The Huskies played a tight match with No. 4 Alabama in their Final Four matchup with the Crimson Tide keeping things close in the final minutes. UConn managed to use a plethora of runs to pull away and advance to the national championship with an 86-72 win.
Taking a look at Monday's matchup, the obvious X-factor for Purdue is star center Zach Edey. He had 20 points and 12 rebounds on Saturday, continuing an outstanding March Madness run that has seen him average 28 points and 15.4 rebounds per game. The 7'4" senior had 40 points against Tennessee in the Elite Eight.
Edey is adept at getting to the free-throw line, averaging 11.2 attempts per game in the tournament. That can help Purdue get some easy points at the line, but it can also get the Huskies in foul trouble and perhaps force them to pull some of their starters earlier than they would like.
Purdue's offense runs primarily through Edey, but the Boilermakers' perimeter will need to step up to keep up with UConn's offensive firepower.
Purdue's second-leading scorer, Braden Smith, has had a relatively quiet tournament averaging 8.4 points per game. Smith shot 43.9 percent from deep during the regular season, but that number has slipped to 34.8 in tournament play. If Smith finds himself open, he'll need to hit his shots to keep Purdue in the game.
The Boilermakers will obviously have a giant in the paint in Edey, but UConn has one on its side in Donovan Clingan. The senior center, who stands 7'2", is an elite rim protector, averaging 2.5 blocks per game this season. Edey has been dominant in the paint all tournament, but he hasn't seen a defender like Clingan yet.
But as previously mentioned, Edey is tremendous at drawing fouls. Even college basketball's best defenders fall victim trying to defend Edey, and it will be key for Clingan to avoid foul trouble. If the Huskies have to put Clingan on the bench, Edey will have a field day around the rim.
On offense, UConn's best scorers will need to come through after being somewhat inconsistent throughout the tournament. The team's leading scorer, Tristen Newton, had big performances in the Round of 32 and Sweet 16, but had just five points in the Elite Eight. In Saturday's Final Four matchup, he had 12 points.
Stephon Castle has had a decent tournament so far, but has also been inconsistent with 14, 7, 16, 2 and 21-point performances throughout the tournament. Newton, Castle and the rest of the Huskies will need to have big performances to take down the Boilermakers.
A high-scoring affair seems like a given in this year's national championship. UConn has the top adjusted offensive efficiency in KenPom with Purdue holding the No. 3 adjusted offensive efficiency.
The Huskies and Boilermakers have arguably been the two best teams this season, and it's only fitting the two teams meet in the national championship.
Will UConn repeat as the champ or will Purdue claim its first title in program history? We will find out Monday at 9:20 p.m. ET.
Prediction: UConn 84, Purdue 78
Purdue's Zach Edey, UNC's RJ Davis Headline Men's CBB Hall of Fame Awards
Apr 6, 2024
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 28: RJ Davis #4 of the North Carolina Tar Heels lays it up against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the Sweet Sixteen round of the 2024 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament held at Crypto.com Arena on March 28, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by C. Morgan Engel/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
UNC guard R.J. Davis, UConn guard Tristen Newton and Purdue center Zach Edey were among those given accolades from the College Basketball Hall of Fame Saturday.
Davis won the Jerry West Award, Newton took home the Bob Cousy Award and Edey won the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award. Other award winners were Tennessee forward Dalton Knecht and San Diego State forward Jaedon LeDee.
RJ Davis becomes the first Tar Heel to win the Jerry West Award 🙌 @ariidavis_
Davis became the first player in Tar Heels history to take home the Jerry West Award, which is given to the top men's shooting guard. He averaged 21.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 37 games for North Carolina, helping lead the team to a 29-8 record and a trip to the Sweet 16. He was named a consensus All-American and won the ACC Player of the year award.
Newton helped lead the Huskies to the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. His honor as the best men's point guard comes after he averaged 15 points, 6.7 rebounds and 6.1 assists. He becomes the third Husky to receive the award, following Kemba Walker and Shabazz Napier, who won the award in 2011 and 2014 respectively.
Edey's win earns him the title of top collegiate center in the nation. He earned this after averaging 25 points, 12.2 rebounds and two assists for the Boilermakers, helping the team earn a No. 1 seed for the second consecutive season.
Knecht won the Julius Irving Award, which is given to the top small forward in the nation. He averaged 21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists and helped lead the Volunteers to the Elite Eight. LeDee took home the Karl Malone Award, which is given to the best power forward. He averaged 21.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists.
While Davis, Knecht and LeDee's seasons are over, Newton and Edey will have a chance to take to the court again this season after receiving the award. The Huskies are set to face Alabama Saturday in the Final Four with a berth in the national championship game on the line. Purdue will face NC State in the other semi-final.
UConn's Dan Hurley Talks Final Four Travel Delays Ahead of Alabama Game in Phoenix
Apr 5, 2024
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 4: Head coach Dan Hurley of the UConn Huskies arrives at Jackson Jet Center in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 4, 2024, ahead of the 2024 Men's Final Four. (Photo by Tyler Schank/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
Multiple mechanical issues and bad weather delayed the UConn men's basketball team's flight to the Final Four in Arizona for nearly eight hours, and head coach Dan Hurley spoke about the experience with reporters afterward on Thursday after his team safely landed in Phoenix early that morning.
"It was nice," Hurley joked Thursday, per ESPN's Jeff Borzello.
"A lot of thoughts because I've had a lot of time to think in just a stationary situation. I think what goes through your mind once you're done kind of complaining and cursing and muttering, you just start saying to yourself, 'You don't deserve to show such entitlement. Such an honor to get a chance -- once-in-a-lifetime experience -- to play in a Final Four, coach in a Final Four.' Once that edge wore off, [it was, 'We're] lucky to be here.' We're lucky to get an opportunity to come play in the Final Four.
"Who doesn't deal with problems with the airlines? ... But it sucked."
Per CBS Sports' Matt Norlander, UConn was supposed to take off around 6 p.m. ET on Wednesday via a plane that was supposed to arrive in town from Kansas City. But that plane never made it to Connecticut due to mechanical issues. In addition, that plane's crew would max its allowable work hours, per FAA guidelines, adding to the issues at hand.
So then Plan B needed to happen. That involved a plane flying in from Cincinnati. More problems then arose, per David Borges of CT Insider:
"A different, smaller plane was flown into Connecticut from Cincinnati, but it was not as big meaning not the full travel party could board. Though the plane landed sometime after 11 p.m., the Huskies could not actually depart. The rainy weather had turned a bit messier and windy, leaving UConn to wait once again. There was one additional minor mechanical issue resolved by the onboard mechanic, the NCAA stated."
The team then sat on the tarmac for over two hours, with rainy weather delaying the takeoff. UConn finally left 1:30 a.m. ET and landed safely in Phoenix four-and-a-half hours later.
"I ruminated a lot. I spiraled. I had my head in my hands a lot," Hurley said, per Borzello. "It was a real mindful exercise from 11:30 to like 1:45 on the tarmac. It was therapeutic to watch the de-icing on the window."
Ultimately, UConn is safe and sound in Arizona, where it will face Alabama in the Final Four on Saturday at 8:49 p.m. ET in Glendale's State Farm Stadium.
Report: UConn, NCAA Working on Schedule Changes After Final Four Travel Delays
Apr 4, 2024
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 24: Tristen Newton #2 of the Connecticut Huskies and Hassan Diarra #10 of the Connecticut Huskies react during the first half of the game against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Barclays Center on March 24, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
Travel issues for the Connecticut men's basketball team are forcing changes to their schedule for Thursday.
Per ESPN's Pete Thamel, UConn is working with the NCAA to push back its practice and media obligations after arriving in Phoenix after 3 a.m. local time.
Huskies head coach Dan Hurley told CBS Sports' Matt Norlander flight that was scheduled to take off at 6 p.m. ET was delayed due to mechanical issues with the plane.
The NCAA issued a statement announcing arrangements were made to get the Huskies in the air at 11:30 p,m. ET.
Norlander reported the Huskies had to cut down their travel party because the plane they found to use was smaller than the original and they wanted to fly directly into Phoenix rather than having to stop to refuel.
Pat Eaton-Robb of the Associated Press noted this was the first time Connecticut had to take a plane to travel for a game since returning home after a March 6 win over Marquette at Fiserv Forum.
The Huskies were able to travel by bus for the Big East tournament at Madison Square Garden (New York City) and first two weekends of the NCAA tournament at Barclays Center (Brooklyn) and TD Garden (Boston).
According to Norlander, the other final four teams arrived in Arizona earlier this week. Alabama and Purdue flew in on Tuesday, followed by North Carolina State on Wednesday afternoon.
Even though the travel was suboptimal, the Huskies have time to get back on schedule before they actually play a game. They will square off with Alabama on Saturday night at 8:49 p.m. ET with a berth in the national title game on the line.
Connecticut has dominated the tournament thus far. Each of its four wins have come by at least 17 points with an average margin of victory of 27.8 points per game.
The Huskies are seeking to become the first men's team to win back-to-back national titles since Florida in 2005-06 and 2006-07.
UConn Men's CBB Arrives for Final Four After Mechanical Issues with Plane
Apr 4, 2024
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 30: Head coach Dan Hurley of the Connecticut Huskies celebrates after defeating the Illinois Fighting Illini in the Elite 8 round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at TD Garden on March 30, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The UConn's men's basketball team has finally arrived in Arizona after its original aircraft—which was set to depart Wednesday—was unable to fly due to mechanical issues.
Head coach Dan Hurley told Matt Norlander of CBS Sports that the plane expected to take UConn across the country was going to Connecticut from Kansas City but never made it due to mechanical issues.
Norlander noted that the Huskies would "have to trim its travel party, per a UConn source, but will still be a flight time decision as far as refueling" depending on the overall weight.
Alabama and Purdue already arrived on Tuesday, while NC State reached Phoenix on Wednesday afternoon. The Huskies will face Alabama on Saturday at 8:49 p.m. ET.
The NCAA is responsible for the travel arrangements for both the men's and women's NCAA tournament.
It hasn't been a banner week for the organization. Over the weekend at the women's tournament, the three-point lines at the Moda Center in Portland were not uniform, with one about nine inches closer to the basket than the other.
The issue wasn't noticed until ahead of the matchup between Texas and North Carolina State at the Elite Eight.
"The NCAA was notified (Sunday) that the 3-point lines on the court at Moda Center in Portland are not the same distance," the NCAA's vice president of women's basketball, Lynn Holzman, said in a statement. "The NCAA staff and women's basketball committee members on site consulted with the two head coaches who were made aware of the discrepancy. All parties elected to play a complete game on the court as is, rather than correcting the court and delaying the game."
UConn Removes Light Poles from Campus to Prevent Damages by Fans Ahead of Final Four
Apr 3, 2024
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 30: Head coach Dan Hurley of the Connecticut Huskies celebrates after defeating the Illinois Fighting Illini in the Elite 8 round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at TD Garden on March 30, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The University of Connecticut is doing what it can to make sure any celebrations of its men's and women's basketball teams don't get too out of control after there was some chaos during last year's jubilation.
"Given the prevalence of damage to the aluminum campus light poles along Fairfield Way last year, the University is temporarily removing them and has installed wall lights in that area," a UConn spokesperson told TMZ Sports.
"They provide the same amount of illumination without being vulnerable to being removed and misused, as occurred last year."
The men's team won its fifth national championship last season, and TMZ Sports noted 39 people were arrested in the ensuing celebration that included students ripping down light poles:
The men's and women's teams are each in the Final Four this season with the opportunity to add to their history of basketball success. While the men's team is going for its sixth title, the women's program has long been the gold standard of the sport and is attempting to capture a 12th national championship.
Paige Bueckers and Co. will take the court first with a Final Four showdown against Caitlin Clark and Iowa on Friday. If the Huskies can win that, they will take on either undefeated South Carolina or North Carolina State in the national title game.
Like UConn, NC State is in the Final Four in the men's and women's brackets.
The two men's teams could face off in the national championship as well with the Huskies slated to face Alabama and the Wolfpack set to play Purdue on Saturday.
UConn's women's team is in the rare position of underdog given the presence of South Carolina and Clark's record-breaking performances that have helped her become the face of the sport, but the men's team is seen as the favorite after winning its first four NCAA tournament games by an average of 27.75 points.
The Huskies showed their dominance with a 30-0 run during their Elite Eight win over Illinois and are two wins away from cutting down the nets in back-to-back years.
If they do, the celebrations may look a bit different this time around.
NBA GM Likens UConn's Donovan Clingan to Rudy Gobert for Potential Defensive Impact
Apr 1, 2024
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 30: Donovan Clingan #32 of the Connecticut Huskies reacts against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half in the Elite 8 round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at TD Garden on March 30, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Donovan Clingan is two wins away from helping lead UConn to a second consecutive national championship, and he might have a fruitful NBA career waiting for him at the end of the run.
Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo of ESPN relayed the following tidbit on Monday: "One general manager asked ESPN recently, 'Rudy Gobert or Donovan Clingan?' regarding who will be the more impactful defensive player, which highlights a college player being compared to a three-time NBA defensive player of the year winner."
Clingan averaged 12.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 1.5 assists per game this season while shooting 64.3 percent from the field this season. He is a major reason the Huskies are the favorites to take home another national title and will have an opportunity to further prove himself on a national stage in Saturday's Final Four.
The big man just posted a double-double of 22 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks and three steals in the Elite Eight win over Illinois, underscoring his ability to impact the game in multiple ways and dominate on the defensive side.
Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman projected Clingan as the No. 7 overall pick in his most recent mock draft and also highlighted his defense.
"His rim protection feels like one of the most bankable strengths of any prospect's," Wasserman wrote. "And despite being limited offensively, he still provides scoring value with his finishing, putbacks and low-post game. And he's started to look more savvy with his passing."
Whichever team ends up with Clingan in the first round of the draft could have a defensive anchor for years to come.
Video: Dan Hurley Jokes UConn's Fanbase Is 'Obnoxious as S--t'; 'Everyone Hates Us'
Mar 31, 2024
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 30: Cam Spencer #12 and head coach Dan Hurley of the Connecticut Huskies react against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half in the Elite 8 round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at TD Garden on March 30, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
UConn head coach Dan Hurley understands the target on his team's back.
Following the Huskies' 77-52 victory over Illinois in the Elite Eight, Hurley acknowledged that the UConn fanbase is passionate to the point that it is "obnoxious as s--t" and that as a result "everybody hates us."
"Our fanbase is obnoxious as s--- on social, so everyone hates us. It was a chance to celebrate with them" 😂
However, he said that it unites the program and gives the Huskies an "us against them mentality" that makes celebrating with the fans even sweeter.
UConn's significant success is certainly a contributing factor to some hatred pointed toward the team. The Huskies are defending national champions and look poised to repeat.
UConn won the Big East, entered the NCAA tournament as the No. 1 overall seed and has won each matchup in the tournament by at least 17 points.
The last Huskies loss dates back to Feb. 20 against Creighton, a team that has already fallen in this year's tournament. While the Final Four should present a big challenge, UConn looks like a true threat to become the first repeat champion since Florida in 2006 and 2007.
To get there, a matchup against Clemson or Alabama will first be in the way.
