Last Updated on April 9, 2024 2:11 pm by Erwin Noguera
The 2024 NCAA March Madness Championship Game featured a showdown between the UConn Huskies and the Purdue Boilermakers. It was a battle between two of the best programs in college basketball.
UConn entered the game after defeating Alabama in the Final Four. The Huskies were seeking their fifth national championship in program history and their second straight. Purdue advanced to the final after defeating NC State in the Final Four. The Boilermakers were hoping to capture their first national title.
With a matchup between a traditional powerhouse in UConn and an emerging contender in Purdue, the stage was set for an exciting championship showdown. The game would come down to whether UConn’s experience and balance could overcome Purdue’s size and talent.
In the end, the Huskies defeated the Boilermakers by a score of 75-60.
When and Where?
Monday, April 8, 9:20 pm ET at the State Farm Stadium
Moneyline odds:
Purdue 3.17
UConn 1.38
Where Can I Watch?
TNT and CBS Sports
First Half Summary
The first half of the Championship Game was competitive. UConn came out strong and took an early lead, but Purdue battled back to keep things close.
The Huskies were led in the first half by point guard Tristen Newton, who shouldered the team to lead them to a close victory. Newton picked up the pace and found open teammates, helping UConn build a lead. However, Purdue held on thanks to center Zach Edey. The 7’4″ big man was an inside force, keeping the team in the game.
UConn’s pressure defense forced some Purdue turnovers and created transition opportunities. The Huskies played unselfish basketball and moved the ball well on offense.
At halftime, UConn had a 36-30 lead over, so it was close, but the Huskies’ balanced attack gave them an advantage heading into the break. Their aggressive defense also bothered Purdue at times. Overall, it set up an exciting second half with the national championship on the line.
Second Half Summary
In the second half, UConn continued to extend its lead over Purdue as the Huskies outscored the Boilermakers 39-30. UConn came out strong after halftime, trying to reach double digits in the lead. However, the Boilermakers struggled to keep pace as their offense sputtered against UConn’s suffocating defense.
Midway through the second half, UConn led by double digits. The Huskies never let their foot off the gas, maintaining a comfortable cushion for the remainder of the game. Meanwhile, Purdue could not string together enough stops or buckets to make a dent in the lead.
Purdue center Zach Edey tried to get his team back in the game, scoring 14 of his 37 points in the second half. But the Boilermakers had no other reliable offensive options. Their outside shooting went cold, and UConn’s defense clogged the paint.
In the end, UConn’s stellar second-half play sealed the National Championship victory as they outscored Purdue in the final 20 minutes. The 15-point victory was marked by the Huskies’ dominance down the stretch.
Edey came close to leading Purdue to victory
Zack Edey had an incredible individual performance for Purdue despite the team’s championship loss. The center was the Boilermakers’ best player, scoring a game-high 37 points on efficient 25/15 shooting from the field. He also crashed the boards effectively, grabbing 10 rebounds for an impressive double-double.
Edey used his huge size advantage to score consistently in the post, showing polished footwork, a soft touch on his hook shots, and the ability to finish through contact. In addition, he established a great position in the low post throughout the game.
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