Well, my 2 Final 4 predictions were right. After a long season of college basketball with thousands of games played, we end with the best 2 teams all year facing off. Like most College Basketball junkies, I am pumped for this game. UConn comes into this game the defending champions. They have had a target on their back all year and yet here they are, back in the big game. Purdue on the other hand ended last season with heartbreak. Purdue became the 2nd 1 seed ever to lose to a 16 seed when Fairleigh Dickinson beat them. Zach Edey returned for this moment on Monday night and we should get a show.
In terms of matchups there are a few GREAT ones in this game. 7’4 National Player of the year Zach Edey is going up against 7’2 and projected NBA lottery pick Donovan Clingan. Clinton will be the toughest matchup Edey has had all season. Clingan is an elite rim protector and averages 2.5 blocks per game. This is not the only good matchup though. 2 of the nation’s best point guards, Braden Smith and Tristen Newton will go head to head Monday night. Smith has been quiet in this tournament averaging only 8.4 points per game. Tristen Newton has had an up and down tourney but had a solid game against Bama with 12 points. Both of these guards do it all for their teams, I am not fact checking this but I would guess this is the first national championship where both point guards have recorded a triple double on the year.
This is just an overall really exciting game. I am expecting a high scoring game because UConn is 1st in KENPOM AdjO and Purdue is 3rd. At the end of the day I think UConn is too talented and they will outlast Purdue. The difference in these teams is the NBA level talent and I’m guessing that shows in this game. It has been a great season and it’ll be pretty sad watching the ‘One Shining Moment’ after the game.
Snyder's Spartan Takes 
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