In the NCAA Tournament men’s basketball championship game on Monday night in Phoenix, top seeds UConn and Purdue will collide.
Both teams secured their spots in the championship showdown by defeating their opponents in the Final Four on Saturday. UConn defeated No. 4 seed Alabama, while Purdue emerged victorious against No. 11 seed N.C. State.
The defending national champions, UConn, aim to make history by becoming the first program since Florida in 2007 to claim back-to-back titles. With five previous championship appearances, UConn boasts an undefeated record in championship matchups.
On the other hand, Purdue seeks its first NCAA Tournament victory.
According to DraftKings, UConn enters the championship game as a 5.5 point favorite over Purdue, with the game total set at 146.5.
UConn’s journey to the championship game featured a dominant performance against Alabama, where they seized control in the latter stages of the game. All five UConn starters contributed double-digit points, spearheaded by Stephon Castle’s 21-point performance.
Purdue secured its spot in the championship game with a convincing 63-50 victory over N.C. State, powered by another stellar performance from All-American center Zach Edey. The towering Canadian standout recorded 20 points and 12 rebounds, leading Purdue’s dominance inside the paint. Additionally, Purdue’s proficiency beyond the arc, with 10 3-pointers, bolstered their victory.
As the championship game approaches, anticipation builds for what promises to be a thrilling showdown between UConn and Purdue. The highly anticipated matchup is scheduled for Monday at 9:20 p.m. ET.
