UConn beats Purdue to finish dominant run to 2nd straight NCAA title
Tristen Newton (20 points) and the Huskies smother the Boilermakers, 75-60, to become the first back-to-back national champs since 2007. Zach Edey scores 37 for Purdue.
UConn players celebrate after defeating Purdue in the NCAA Tournament title game to win their second consecutive national championship on Monday night in Glendale, Ariz. UConn has won 12 consecutive NCAA Tournament games, none by fewer than 13 points. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
UConn head coach Dan Hurley celebrates with the national championship trophy after their victory over Purdue in the NCAA Tournament title game on Monday night in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
UConn guard Tristen Newton, right, is fouled by Purdue guard Fletcher Loyer during the first half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Purdue guard Lance Jones drives as UConn guard Cam Spencer (12) defends during the first half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Purdue head coach Matt Painter reacts during the first half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game against UConn, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Purdue forward Trey Kaufman-Renn (4) drives to the basket past UConn forward Alex Karaban (11) and center Donovan Clingan (32) during the first half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
UConn head coach Dan Hurley react during the first half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game against Purdue, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Purdue center Zach Edey celebrates after blocking a shot against UConn during the first half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
UConn guard Tristen Newton drives as Purdue center Zach Edey (15) defends during the first half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
UConn guard Hassan Diarra (10) goes over the top of Purdue forward Trey Kaufman-Renn (4) during the first half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
UConn guard Cam Spencer, right, looks to pass under pressure from Purdue guard Braden Smith during the first half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Purdue center Zach Edey dunks over UConn center Donovan Clingan, left, during the first half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Purdue forward Trey Kaufman-Renn is fouled by UConn guard Hassan Diarra (10) during the first half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Purdue forward Trey Kaufman-Renn (4) is fouled by UConn guard Hassan Diarra during the first half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Purdue forward Trey Kaufman-Renn (4) vies for the ball with UConn center Donovan Clingan (32) during the first half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Purdue head coach Matt Painter yells during the first half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game against UConn, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Purdue center Zach Edey celebraters after a basket against UConn during the first half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
UConn head coach Dan Hurley reacts during the first half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game against Purdue, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Purdue guard Fletcher Loyer motions towards the crowd during the first half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game against UConn, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
UConn guard Stephon Castle (5) drives as Purdue guard Lance Jones defends during the first half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Purdue center Zach Edey (15) vies for the ball with UConn center Donovan Clingan (32) during the first half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
UConn guard Tristen Newton, right, shoots over Purdue guard Myles Colvin (5) during the first half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Purdue center Zach Edey, left, and UConn center Donovan Clingan battle for the ball during the first half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Purdue center Zach Edey (15) shoots over UConn center Donovan Clingan (32) during the first half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
UConn guard Stephon Castle, right, drives on Purdue guard Lance Jones during the first half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Purdue guard Lance Jones (55) passes over UConn guard Tristen Newton (2) during the first half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
UConn center Donovan Clingan (32) and Purdue center Zach Edey battle for the rebound during the second half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
UConn center Donovan Clingan (32) reacts to a foul call during the second half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game against Purdue, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Purdue guard Fletcher Loyer (2) shoots over UConn forward Alex Karaban during the second half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
UConn guard Hassan Diarra (10) scores past Purdue guard Myles Colvin (5) during the second half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
UConn guard Hassan Diarra (10) shoots past Purdue guard Myles Colvin during the second half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
UConn guard Tristen Newton (2) celebrates after scoring Purdue during the second half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Purdue guard Braden Smith (3) shoots against UConn during the second half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Purdue center Zach Edey (15) fouls UConn center Donovan Clingan (32) during the second half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
UConn center Donovan Clingan, right, Purdue forward Trey Kaufman-Renn, left, and center Zach Edey follow the loose ball during the second half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
UConn center Donovan Clingan (32) fouls Purdue center Zach Edey (15) during the second half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Purdue guard Lance Jones, left, and UConn guard Cam Spencer battle for the ball during the second half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Purdue center Zach Edey shoots as UConn center Donovan Clingan, left, defends during the second half of the NCAA Tournament title game on Monday night in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
UConn center Donovan Clingan (32) reaches for the ball as Purdue center Zach Edey defends during the second half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Purdue guard Lance Jones (55) vies for the ball with UConn guard Cam Spencer (12) during the second half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Purdue guard Lance Jones (55) vies for the ball with UConn guard Cam Spencer (12) during the second half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
UConn head coach Dan Hurley hugs guard Stephon Castle during the second half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game against Purdue, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Solomon Ball, left, and Stephon Castle of the Connecticut Huskies celebrate after beating the Purdue Boilermakers 75-60 to win the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
UConn head coach Dan Hurley celebrates with forward Alex Karaban (11) after their win against Purdue in the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Hassan Diarra, left, and Tristen Newton of the Connecticut Huskies celebrate after beating the Purdue Boilermakers 75-60 to win the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Alex Karaban of the Connecticut Huskies celebrates after beating the Purdue Boilermakers 75-60 to win the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
UConn players celebrate as time expires during the second half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game against Purdue, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
UConn celebrates their win against Purdue in the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
UConn players celebrate after the second half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game against Purdue, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Purdue center Zach Edey (15) watches as UConn celebrates their win in the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
UConn players celebrate as time expires during the second half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game against Purdue, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
UConn players celebrate after defeating Purdue in the NCAA Tournament title game to win their second consecutive national championship on Monday night in Glendale, Ariz. UConn has won 12 consecutive NCAA Tournament games, none by fewer than 13 points. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Purdue center Zach Edey (15) leaves the courier their loss against UConn in the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Purdue forward Mason Gillis (0) leaves the court after their loss against UConn in the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
UConn center Donovan Clingan (32) celebrates after their win against Purdue in the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
UConn celebrates with the trophy after their win against Purdue in the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
UConn head coach Dan Hurley and his players celebrate after the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game against Purdue, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
UConn celebrates with the trophy after their win against Purdue in the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
UConn head coach Dan Hurley celebrates after the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game against Purdue, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
UConn flays celebrate after the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game against Purdue, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Purdue guard Myles Colvin sits in the locker room after the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game against UConn, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Connecticut head coach Dan Hurley cuts down the net after beating the Purdue Boilermakers 75-60 to win the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Stephon Castle of the Connecticut Huskies cuts down the net after beating the Purdue Boilermakers 75-60 to win the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
UConn center Donovan Clingan (32) celebrates cutting the net after their win against Purdue in the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
UConn players celebrate after tthe NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game against Purdue, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Cam Spencer of the Connecticut Huskies cuts down the net after beating the Purdue Boilermakers 75-60 to win the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
UConn head coach Dan Hurley celebrates cutting the net after the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game against Purdue, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Actor Bill Murray poses for photos after Connecticut Huskies beat the Purdue Boilermakers 75-60 to win the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
A UConn fan cheers before the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game against Purdue, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Purdue fans cheer prior to the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game against UConn, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
UConn fans cheer before the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game against Purdue, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Purdue fans cheer prior to the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game against UConn, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
A UConn fan cheers before the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game against Purdue, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Purdue fans cheer prior to the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game against UConn, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
UConn players celebrate after the second half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game against Purdue, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Purdue center Zach Edey reacts in the first half against the Connecticut Huskies during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Mason Gillis of the Purdue Boilermakers handles the ball while being guarded by Alex Karaban of the Connecticut Huskies in the first half during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Purdue center Zach Edey, left, and Donovan Clingan of Connecticut battle for a loose ball in the first half during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Purdue center Zach Edey celebrates in the first half against the Connecticut Huskies during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Braden Smith of the Purdue Boilermakers dribbles the ball while being guarded by Hassan Diarra of the Connecticut Huskies in the first half during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Braden Smith of the Purdue Boilermakers dribbles the ball while being guarded by Stephon Castle of the Connecticut Huskies in the first half during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Donovan Clingan of the Connecticut Huskies attempts a shot while being guarded by Caleb Furst of the Purdue Boilermakers in the first half during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Purdue center Zach Edey handles the ball while being guarded by Samson Johnson of the Connecticut Huskies in the first half during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Alex Karaban of the Connecticut Huskies handles the ball while being guarded by Mason Gillis of the Purdue Boilermakers in the first half during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Connecticut head coach Dan Hurley reacts in the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Hassan Diarra of the Connecticut Huskies reacts in the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Purdue center Zach Edey blocks a shot attempt by Connecticut’s Cam Spencer (12) in the first half during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Hassan Diarra of the Connecticut Huskies passes the ball while being guarded by Mason Gillis of the Purdue Boilermakers in the first half during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Trey Kaufman-Renn of the Purdue Boilermakers dribbles the ball while being guarded by Alex Karaban (11) and Donovan Clingan (32) of the Connecticut Huskies in the first half during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Braden Smith of the Purdue Boilermakers dribbles the ball while being guarded by Cam Spencer of the Connecticut Huskies in the second half during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Purdue center Zach Edey handles the ball while being guarded by Alex Karaban #11 of the Connecticut Huskies in the second half during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Cam Spencer of the Connecticut Huskies dribbles the ball while being guarded by Purdue’s Braden Smith during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Cam Spencer of the Connecticut Huskies celebrates in the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Tristen Newton of the Connecticut Huskies dribbles the ball while being guarded by Braden Smith of the Purdue Boilermakers in the second half during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Purdue Boilermakers players walk across the court in the second half against the Connecticut Huskies during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Tristen Newton of the Connecticut Huskies attempts a shot while being guarded by Fletcher Loyer of the Purdue Boilermakers in the second half during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Tristen Newton of the Connecticut Huskies dribbles the ball while being guarded by Myles Colvin of the Purdue Boilermakers in the second half during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Purdue center Zach Edey dunks the ball past Samson Johnson, right, of the Connecticut Huskies in the second half during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Purdue center Zach Edey attempts a shot while being guarded by Donovan Clingan of the Connecticut Huskies in the second half during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Samson Johnson of the Connecticut Huskies dunks the ball over Zach Edey of the Purdue Boilermakers in the second half during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Cam Spencer of the Connecticut Huskies attempts a shot while being guarded by Camden Heide of the Purdue Boilermakers in the second half during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Tristen Newton of the Connecticut Huskies dribbles the ball while being guarded by Braden Smith of the Purdue Boilermakers in the second half during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Purdue center Zach Edey dribbles the ball while being guarded by Samson Johnson of the Connecticut Huskies in the second half during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Purdue’s Braden Smith, left, and Hassan Diarra of the Connecticut Huskies battle for a loose ball in the second half during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Samson Johnson of the Connecticut Huskies dunks the ball in the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Stephon Castle of the Connecticut Huskies attempts a shot in the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Purdue center Zach Edey handles the ball while being guarded by Donovan Clingan, left, of the Connecticut Huskies in the second half during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Camden Heide of the Purdue Boilermakers dunks the ball in the second half against the Connecticut Huskies during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Purdue center Zach Edey reacts after losing to the Connecticut Huskies 75-60 in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Connecticut fans cheer before the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Connecticut Huskies at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Connecticut cheerleaders cheer during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Connecticut Huskies at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Purdue fans cheer before the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Connecticut Huskies at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Connecticut fans cheer during the national championship game against Purdue on Monday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Purdue Boilermakers cheerleaders pose for photos before the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Connecticut Huskies at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Purdue Boilermakers mascot Purdue Pete cheers before the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Connecticut Huskies at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
A detail view of the Final Four logo during the trophy ceremony after the Connecticut Huskies beat the Purdue Boilermakers 75-60 to win the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, Ariz. — A basketball beatdown. A coaching clinic. A double-digit domination.
Take one guess who finished off a romp through college basketball again. You bet, it’s UConn – a team built to win now, and often, and by a lot every time it takes the court.
Coach Dan Hurley’s Huskies delivered the latest of their suffocating hoops performances Monday night, smothering Purdue for a 75-60 victory to become the first team since 2007 to capture back-to-back national championships.
Tristen Newton scored 20 points for the Huskies, who won their 12th consecutive March Madness game – not a single one of them decided by fewer than 13 points.
UConn won its sixth overall title and joined the 2006-07 Florida Gators and the 1991-92 Duke Blue Devils as just the third team to repeat since John Wooden’s UCLA dynasty of the 1960s and ’70s.
“I just think it’s the best two-year run in a very, very long time, just because of everything we lost from last year’s team,” said Hurley, whose top two scorers from last year now play in the NBA. “To lose that much and do it again, it’s got to be as impressive a two-year run since at least prior to Duke.”
The 2024 Huskies are the sixth team to win all six tournament games by double-digit margins. They won those games by a grand total of 140 points, blowing past the 1996 Kentucky team, which won its six by 129.
In a matchup of two top seeds, they wore down the Boilermakers (34-5), who made it this far a year after becoming just the second No. 1 in the history of March Madness to fall in the first round. But Purdue left the same way it came – still looking for the program’s first NCAA title.
So much for the free-for-all this new age of the transfer portal and name, image and likeness deals was supposed to become. UConn has figured out how to dominate and replenish its roster with players who understand their roles.
Cam Spencer, a transfer from Rutgers, Stephon Castle, a blue-chip freshman, and Alex Karaban, a sophomore from last year’s team, spent the night guarding the 3-point line and making life miserable for Purdue’s guards.
“They just made a decision – we can defend the perimeter, and we can take this away from you, you’re going to get the ball to your best player, he’ll be 1-on-1, and that’s that,” Purdue coach Matt Painter said.
This was only the second time this season Purdue didn’t put up 10 3-point attempts, and how ’bout this final score: Edey 37, the rest of the Boilermakers 23.
How serious was Hurley about defending the perimeter? When Braden Smith wiggled loose for a semi-open look to make Purdue’s first 3-pointer of the game with 2:17 left in the first half, the coach bolted onto the floor and called timeout.
And that was that from behind the arc.
“Coaches made a point that we’d be really locked in if we controlled their 3-point attempts,” Spencer said. “Holding them to seven shows we were locked in on making sure their guards didn’t get involved in the game.”
With his X’s-and-O’s masterpiece, Hurley joins former Florida coach Billy Donovan in the back-to-back club, and is in company with Bill Self and Rick Pitino as only the third active coach with two championships. News broke over the weekend that it appears there’s a job opening at Kentucky, and the UConn coach’s name has come up there.
“I don’t think that’s a concern,” Hurley said. “My wife, you should have her answer that.”
No way the Huskies would want to lose him.
Hurley earned every penny in this one. In the first half, he begged with, swore at and generally berated the refs about over-the-backs, elbows and hip checks that weren’t called.
Once, when that didn’t work after Edey set a hard (and probably legal) pick against Castle, Hurley started in on Edey himself as the center walked toward the Purdue bench for a timeout.
But the coach’s best work came in whatever hotel room he used to draw up the game plan.
“The whole game plan was no Smith, no Loyer, no Jones, no Gillis,” Hurley said, as he ticked off the last names of the Purdue guards. “We knew if we keep them below 18, 20 points as a group, and they had no chance to win, no matter how well Zach played.”
It’s no slight on Edey, who battled gamely, finishing with 10 rebounds to record his 30th double-double of the season. But this game proved the number crunchers and analytics experts right. UConn let Edey back in and back down all night on 7-2 Donovan Clingan, giving up difficult two-point baskets in the post in exchange for any 3-pointers.
“They only doubled late in the second half, but by that point we had dug ourselves too deep of a hole,” Fletcher Loyer said.
The defensive dominance put the finishing touch on a tournament in which UConn’s average margin of victory was 23.3 points. Sure, Hurley might have to replace two or three of these players, but the coach said he’ll worry about that in a week or two.
“Obviously, what can you say?” he said. “We won – by a lot – again.”
