The UConn men’s basketball team made history by becoming the first division l men's basketball team to go back to back NCAA champions since Florida in 2007.
The #1 UConn Huskies managed to take down the #1 seed Purdue Boilermakers in the NCAA National Championship 75-60. Making them the first team to win back to back championships since the 2006-2007 Florida Gators. Solidifying their 37-3 record on the season. This is the Huskies 6th National Championship, tying them with UNC for the 3rd most championships of all time.
“What a special group of people, a special coaching staff and an incredible group of players. The best group of players you could possibly do it with and UConn. UConn’s a special place this time of year and they give us all the resources we need to do it like this in March and April.” UConn Head Coach Dan Hurley said
With the Huskies winning back to back Championships four of the five starters on the Huskies went for double digit points, as All-American guard Tristian Newton finished the game with 20 points, 7 assisted and 5 rebounds. Guard Stephon Castle with 15 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists. Cam Spencer with 11 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists. Bristol native Donovan Clingan with 11 points, 5 rebounds and 1 assist.
“Credit to my teammates and coaching staff for putting me in the right positions to make plays, score, get people involved and get the win tonight,” Newton said.
Not only did the Huskies players scored double digits. Purdue’s Center National Player of the year Zach Edey ended the game with 37 points and 7 rebounds, and guard Bradon Smith with 12 points, 8 assists and 3 rebounds. Edey in the first half ended with 16 points and at one point had all 11 of the points that Purdue scored as a team. But PUrdue had their troubles as the Huskies continued to out rebound Edey, the likely number one selection in the NBA draft..
“We were going to go to the well with Zach as much as we could at that point.In a game like this, we had to be able to rebound defensively better, and then we had to have something to balance that out. They stayed home with us. They did a really good job defensively.” Perdue Head Coach Matt Painter said
The teams were close in the first half as UConn led 36-30 as Newton scored 11 points. Uconn came out of the second half with much momentum as the Huskies used the 8-2 run to take a double digit lead. The Huskies were also able to maintain Edey after making him scoreless for 12 minutes straight as the Huskies also kept the Boilermakers limited from the three point line.
“UConn had many keys to winning this game including very dominant defense in the 2nd half while containing Edey early to make him scoreless. Making Edey miss a lot of shots was very key, also how the defense prevented many three balls was very key to the win,” NHS junior Jeremy Barber said.