GLENDALE, ARIZONA - APRIL 06: DJ Burns Jr. #30 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack and Zach Edey ... [+]
After the Cinderella Run known as NC State came to a close, similar to the offensive powerhouse wearing Crimson Tide across the chest, the 2024 NCAA Men’s National Championship is now set.
The reigning champions and number 1 overall seed Uconn Huskies will be taking on another #1 seed in Purdue, who just a season ago became the second team in March Madness history to lose to a #16 seed.
Outside of the redemption arc Purdue is attempting to complete, there is also some tournament history that will be made when these two juggernauts square off Monday night.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - APRIL 06: Donovan Clingan #32 and Youssouf Singare #24 of the Connecticut ... [+]
In a tournament structure that strives to build chaos and parody, the two best regular season teams found a way to make it to the final stage, which is not as common as many expect.
In the 39 years of a 64-team bracket, there have only been 9 instances of two #1 seeds making the championship. And these games have not disappointed.
Just in the past 16-years, the world has laid witness to UNC defeating Gonzaga in 2017 on Isaiah Hicks’ last-second runner to seal the win. Or in 2015 when Duke defeated Wisconsin, who just ended Kentucky’s bid at perfection in the Final Four. And who could forget in 2008 when Derrick Rose’s Memphis squad had their hearts broken by “Cardiac Kemba” Walker, who hit one of the biggest shots in NCAA basketball history for Kansas.
But even these examples of games were not as anticipated as UConn/Purdue is on pace to be, as this 2024 matchup is set to be just the fifth time in March Madness history that the top-two overall seeds face off in the Championship.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - APRIL 06: Fletcher Loyer #2 of the Purdue Boilermakers celebrates during the ... [+]
2007 Ohio State vs Florida was the last time this matchup has occurred, which conveniently was the last time that a team went back-to-back in the NCAA tournament.
So, for two teams who have seemed to be a step above the rest of the competition in the tournament, the 1-1 matchup should finally be a worthy test for two teams who have not had to sweat up to the final buzzer quite yet.
But overall, it’s a welcome sight for the tournament as a whole.
While everyone loves a good underdog and feel good story, and this year’s tournament was filled with them, it’s important that the tournament falls back to the norm of better teams going deeper in the tournament.
2023’s Final Four of #5 San Diego State vs #9 Florida Atlantic and #5 Miami and #4 UConn was something the league has never seen before. And while the games were competitive (and Lamont Butler’s buzzer-beater will never be forgotten), it lacked the star power and talent level the National media wants to see.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - APRIL 06: ead coach Dan Hurley of the Connecticut Huskies high fives fans after ... [+]
But with 2-time AP player of the year Zach Edey will be facing off down low against Uconn’s 7-footer Donovan Clingan, and Tristen Newton and Cam Spencer to matchup with Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer from the backcourt, it should be an even battle personnel wise.
That means it will come down to coaching, which may be the most entertaining aspect of this game.
As Dan Hurley continues to write an impressive career resume, while Matt Painter hopes to re-write for his shortcomings in the tournament, it’s safe to say that this matchup writes itself with storylines.
Even if it is just another boring, 1-1 matchup.
