#1 UConn Vs #1 Purdue

Winning the Midwestern side of the bracket Purdue is this year’s redemption arc, last year they were the 1# Seed and bowed out to 16# seed FDU. But this Purdue team is feeling different; they are coming off 33 straight, which is a school record. Along with that the Boilermakers still feature defending National Player of The Year Zach Edey who is likely to become the first back-to-back NPOY since Ralph Sampson in the early 1980s. Speaking of the 1980s, that is the last time Purdue made the final four in 1980 exactly when their head coach was Lee Rose and they were headlined by another 7-footer, future NBA All-Star Joe Barry Carroll.

The Keys for Purdue are simple, feed Zach Edey, and if UConn sophomore Donovan Clingan can hold it down then pass it out onto the perimeter to Mason Gillis and Fletcher Loyer. It’s hard to pick out a weakness in a team as strong as Purdue but the few times things have gone south for them it came as a result of the team getting into turnover trouble so taking care of the basketball is very important.

Representing the Eastern bracket, UConn is everything Purdue isn’t a borderline dynasty and is historically great not just coming off a National title-winning campaign last year but also coming off of 2 National titles in the 2010s. This is a team unlike Purdue looking for redemption. Is looking to plant its flag as the first true dynasty of the 2020s. They are currently led by senior     Cam Spencer averaging 14 points on 48% shooting but also Big East rookie of the year Stephon Castle who has also been a heavy contributor.

The keys for UConn are as follows rely on Sophomore Donovan Clingan to hold it down and not stop Zach Edey but slow him down and then play lockdown defensively forcing turnovers to get Purdue off their rhythm and force them into situations where they are not comfortable cause if Purdue has to entirely rely on guard play it could be lights out.

This is setting up to be a close title game considering how evenly matched both teams are. But taking into account UConns experience and depth compared to Purdue’s lack of big game experience I’m gonna give the edge to UConn and say that they repeat as National champions.