The UConn Huskies defeated the Purdue Boilermakers in the NCAA mens March Madness championship. The final score was 75-60.
The Huskies have had a history of success in basketball and are one of the best organizations in all of college basketball. Last year, the Huskies defeated the San Diego State Aztecs in the NCAA championship with a final score of 76-59.
This year the Huskies finished the season with a 37-3 record, earning them the number one seed in the East. Purdue finished the year with a 34-5 record and became the number one seed in the Midwest.
Only two players from Purdue scored ten or more points in the championship. Center Zach Edey finished the game with 37 points and 10 rebounds, and guard Braden Smith finished with 12 points, eight assists, and three rebounds.
Edey will not be returning to Purdue because he is declaring for the 2024 NBA draft. Edey finished his senior year averaging 25.2 points per game, 12.2 rebounds per game, and two assists per game. Edey is projected to be an early first-round pick.
UConn’s player of the game was guard Tristen Newton, who scored 20 points, seven assists, and five rebounds. However, there were a lot of players on the Huskies who did fairly well, like guard Cam Spencer who had 11 points, two assists, and eight rebounds, and center Donovan Clingan with 11 points, five rebounds, and one assist.
The UConn Huskies have won six NCAA championships: 1999, 2004, 2011, 2014, 2023, and 2024. Purdue has not won an NCAA title even though they have made two appearances in the finals, the first being in 1969.
The Huskies won by ten or more points in every game in the March Madness tournament. In the first round, they played Stetson with a final of 91-52. They beat Northwestern in the second round 75-58. In the Sweet Sixteen, they beat San Diego St. 82-52. In the fourth round Illinois 77-52, and in the Final Four Alabama 86-72.
“We won by a lot again,” said head coach Dan Hurley via cbssports.
The seniors at UConn who will be leaving are Hassan Diarra and Andrew Hurley. Sophomore Donovan Clingan will also be leaving the Huskies to declare for the draft. Clingan is projected to be a top five draft pick.
Next season, the Huskies are projected to do a little worse than this season due to many people leaving but they will still be one of the best basketball programs in college basketball.
