UConn, known for its dominant basketball, showcased its prowess once again in a decisive victory over Purdue, clinching their second consecutive national championship. Led by Coach Dan Hurley, the Huskies cruised to a 75-60 win, extending their March Madness winning streak to 12 games, all by double-digit margins.
Scoring 20 points, Tristen Newton led the charge for UConn, whose strength lies not just in offense but also in their suffocating defense. Despite Purdue’s strong 3-point shooting reputation, UConn limited them to just one successful attempt from beyond the arc. Even though Purdue’s Zach Edey scored 37 points, UConn’s defense remained resolute.
With this win, UConn secured their sixth national title, joining a select group of teams to achieve back-to-back championships, a feat last accomplished in 2007.
Hurley praised the remarkable achievements of his team over the past two years, especially considering the significant player turnover from the previous season. Despite losing key scorers to the NBA, the 2024 Huskies managed to replicate their success, making it one of the most impressive runs in recent memory.
The 2024 Huskies joined an elite group of teams by winning all six tournament games with double-digit leads. Their collective margin of victory, totaling 140 points, surpassed the record set by the 1996 Kentucky team, which won by 129 points.
In a showdown between two top-seeded teams, the Huskies outlasted the Boilermakers, who had rebounded from a disappointing previous season to reach the championship game. Despite Purdue’s efforts, they left empty-handed, still in search of their first NCAA title.
Despite the expectations of chaos due to the transfer portal and name, image, and likeness deals, UConn demonstrated their ability to dominate while seamlessly integrating new players who understood their roles. Transfers like Cam Spencer, along with freshmen like Stephon Castle and returning players like Alex Karaban, played crucial roles in stifling Purdue’s offense, particularly their 3-point shooting.
Purdue struggled to get open looks from beyond the arc, attempting fewer 3-pointers than usual. The game’s highlight was Purdue’s Zach Edey’s impressive 37-point performance, overshadowing the rest of his team’s contribution.
Hurley’s commitment to defending the perimeter was evident when he immediately called a timeout after Purdue made their first 3-pointer late in the first half.
Spencer mentioned that the coaches emphasized the importance of limiting their opponent’s 3-point attempts to keep their guards out of the game. Holding them to only seven attempts showed their commitment to this strategy.
With his coaching expertise, Hurley now joins Billy Donovan in the back-to-back championship club. He’s among the select few, including Bill Self and Rick Pitino, as one of the few active coaches with two championships. There have been rumors about a potential job opening at Kentucky, but Hurley brushed off any concerns, jokingly suggesting asking his wife about it.
Hurley’s intense involvement during the game was evident as he passionately engaged with the referees, advocating for calls on various plays. He also strategized meticulously, focusing on neutralizing key Purdue guards to limit their impact on the game.
The game plan centered around shutting down specific Purdue players, and Hurley stressed the importance of containing their guards to prevent them from scoring. Despite Zach Edey’s impressive performance, UConn’s defensive approach prioritized defending against 3-point attempts rather than focusing solely on Edey’s scoring inside.
Though Purdue made a late push, UConn’s defensive dominance throughout the tournament, with an average winning margin of 23.3 points, solidified their victory. Looking ahead, while Hurley may need to replace some players, he remains focused on celebrating their victory rather than worrying about future changes.
