by Monday night’s National Championship game between the Connecticut Huskies and the Purdue Boilermakers marks the end of the 2023-24 men’s college basketball season. It’s as highly anticipated of a matchup that can be found, and the contest sets up to be a clash of the titans.
Despite being largely the best two teams all year, UConn and Purdue had very different paths in getting here. UConn is looking to become the first team to win back-to-back titles since Florida in 2006-07, and unlike those Florida teams, UConn has had some major roster turnover. Only two starters remain from last year’s team: Tristen Newton and Alex Karaban. Both have shown serious growth as players in the 12 months since winning on the biggest stage, as Newton received All-American honors this year and Karaban could be a first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Donovan Clingan, the sixth-man last season, has filled in the footsteps of last year’s leading scorer, Adama Sanogo, very well. He and five-star freshman Stephon Castle have both set themselves up for potential lottery selections in the draft. Finally, Cam Spencer transferred into the program, opting to spend his final year of eligibility at UConn after stints at Loyola (MD) and Rutgers. His shooting and toughness have provided a major spark to an already potent unit.
Purdue, on the other hand, is not trying to live up to the games greatest accomplishment last season, but rather trying to erase the games greatest embarrassment. A #1 seed last year after a stellar regular season, the Boilermakers became the second ever team ranked on the top line to fall to a #16 seed, Fairleigh Dickinson in their case. Now, the Boilermakers are out to get the bad taste out of their mouths and have returned an experienced team to do it. It all starts with Zach Edey, the two-time National Player of the Year. After making history with his gaudy stats, Edey now looks to etch his name in college basketball immortality. Braden Smith has taken another leap this year in his sophomore season and has clearly become the second option behind Edey. His savvy abilities at point guard have made him highly dangerous with the ball in his hands all year. Another pair of sophomores: Fletcher Loyer and Trey Kaufman-Renn will also have big roles in the game and will need to play like veterans to give Purdue a chance to win. Like UConn, the Boilermakers also possess a high energy transfer in Lance Jones. After four years at Southern Illinois, Jones has come into the program and become the best on-ball defender on the team with nice shot-making ability as well.
While everybody loves upsets in March Madness, when it comes down to the final game, nothing is better than seeing the two best and most talented teams go at it. According to KenPom, UConn and Purdue rank #1 and #2, respectively in adjusted efficiency margin, marking the first time since 2021 that the top two teams have faced off in the title game. In that matchup, Baylor beat Gonzaga to end the Bulldogs’ hopes at an undefeated season. The only other time that the two best teams per KenPom have played for the championship in the past decade was when Kris Jenkins’ buzzer-beater sent Villanova over North Carolina in 2016.
When we say clash of the titans, the better phrase might be clash of the giants. Edey, after dominating the sport over the past two seasons, has yet to face a worthy foe, especially in this year’s tournament. Luckily for viewers, UConn might have the best shot at providing just that in Clingan. The 7’2’’ sophomore has the size and length to compete with the 7’4’’ Edey and to at least marginally make his life difficult. Clingan is also very mobile for a center and should be able to still protect the weak side while also having eyes on Edey at all times. The major concern for Clingan will be staying out of foul trouble, as the backup center, Samson Johnson, while talented in his own right, will have trouble containing the Purdue goliath.
A major key for both teams tonight will be who can shoot the ball well from beyond the three-point line. Purdue is at a bit of an athleticism deficit, so to be able to put the ball in the hoop from distance will be huge. Aside from the burden that will be placed on Smith, Loyer, and Jones, bench pieces like Mason Gillis, Camden Heide, Myles Colvin will all have to contribute from deep.
In the Alabama game, the Crimson Tide dared some of UConn’s perimeter players, especially Castle and Newton, to beat them from three. The two were able to make five total in 15 attempts, and don’t be shocked if Purdue gives them the same treatment. Chasing Spencer and Karaban around the arc all night is already tough enough, so forcing Castle and Newton to beat them from out there might be their best shot.
Aside from Clingan vs. Edey, the defensive matchups and assignments will also be interesting to follow. Castle is perhaps the game’s best perimeter defender, so whatever Boilermaker he’ll be attached to will be forced out of their comfort zone all night. The most likely matchup for him is with Smith, but that could change given Castle’s five inch size advantage. If not, it would likely be Newton guarding Smith with Castle tasked with Loyer. Spencer would then match up with Jones and Karaban with Kaufman-Renn.
Purdue’s defensive options are a little less straightforward, as they may have to hide their lack of size in the backcourt a bit. Jones will probably take either Newton or Spencer, with Smith tasked with the other and Loyer matched up with Castle. Purdue could try to get fancy and put Smith on Castle with the idea that he won’t really guard him from three. That could create some major problems for the Boilermakers, however, if Castle tries to use his size and strength advantage with his drives, so that’s a more unlikely option.
If UConn is able to win tonight, it would be their fourth championship in the last 14 seasons, by far the most of any team in that span. A win for Purdue, on the other hand, would be their first championship in school history. No matter the victor, this game will be as highly anticipated as any in history and is setting up to be one for the ages.
