The moment of truth is here and we have a doozy on our hands as back-to-back Naismith Player of the Year Zach Edey and Purdue take on the defending champs from UConn.
In a season rife with parity, the two best teams in college basketball ended up making it to the national championship. This game seems like the perfect way to cap off a memorable tournament.
Much of the focus will be on the big-man battle as the 7-foot-4 Edey takes on 7-foot-2 Donovan Clingan of the Huskies. While that’s playing out, there’s also an intriguing guard showdown that could determine the outcome of the game.
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. It’s No. 1 Purdue (34-4) still seeking redemption after losing as a 1-seed to a 16-seed in the first round of last year’s tournament.
You couldn’t script it any better, but which team will write the ending? Follow along all day as we track the action in Phoenix.
Men’s NCAA championship
9:20 p.m. ET — No. 1 UConn vs. No. 1 Purdue (TBS)
Live33 updates
OH MY.
What a dunk from Camden Heide to get us going in the second half.
The second half is underway in Arizona
Dan Hurley came running out for the second half with the collar of his suit coat up, someone had to yell at him to turn it down. He was cutting it close to tipoff.
GLENDALE, Ariz. — The story of the first half is UConn’s defensive strategy.
Hell bent on not losing to Zach Edey’s supporting cast, the Huskies are defending the Purdue giant 1-on-1 and erasing Purdue’s 3-point shooters.
The approach so far has been effective. Edey has 16 first-half points, but Purdue didn’t attempt its third 3-pointer until a full-court heave at the halftime buzzer.
36-30 UConn at the half …
Zach Edey leads all scorers halfway through
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 are still in this at the midway point.
Coach Keady went all out tonight in Arizona
Braden Smith just hit Purdue’s first 3-pointer of the night with 2:22 left in the first half. We’ve got a one-possession game again
UConn just went on a 9-2 run to grab a five point lead at the under-4 timeout. Purdue’s only bucket during that stretch? A put-back from Zach Edey
Zach Edey and Dan Hurley are going at it a bit already tonight.
Game getting a little spicy. Edey stared down the UConn bench after his last basket, a couple words exchanged between Hurley and Edey on way to huddles at the timeout. Hurley yelling “what the f— is that” twice to the officials after Edey wasn’t called for an illegal screen.
UConn takes an 18-16 lead into the under-12 timeout. Zach Edey’s scored Purdue’s last 11 points, and is single-handedly keeping the Boilermakers in this early.
Zach Edey with a huge dunk over Donovan Clingan, and then he followed it a pair of ridiculous blocks on the other end. What a start for the Boilermakers
Cam Spencer is 3-of-3 from the field so far tonight, so this strategy may not be the best.
Something to watch: UConn is punishing Zach Edey’s drop coverage by having Clingan set ball screens for its best shooter, Cam Spencer. No idea how Purdue can combat that besides … hope he misses?!
Zach Edey’s backed Donovan Clingan down successfully twice now, but the Huskies hold an 11-9 lead at the first media timeout. We’ve got a battle so far
Purdue controls the tip, and we’re underway in Arizona.
For what it’s worth, it was a clean sweep for the defending national champions tonight.
The whole TNT Sports crew sticks with the favorite, taking UConn to beat Purdue in tonight’s National Championship Game. 🏀🏆 pic.twitter.com/11HR1MpVaD
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