Alan Kornspan
Believeland Media
The UConn Huskies defeated the Purdue Boilermakers, 75-60, on Monday night to repeat as NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Champions.
The first half was close as UConn led 36-30 at halftime.
However much like the Women's NCAA Division I National Championship Game the day before, the Huskies opened up a large early lead in the second half.
In fact, the Huskies led by 13 points halfway through the second half.
UConn then extended their lead to 18 points with 3:47 left.
The Huskies continued to hold off the Boilmakers comeback attempt and win the contest 75-60 to claim their second national championship in a row.
Afterward, at the post-game press conference, the UConn players were asked about limiting the Purdue guards to just 17 points for the game.
UConn senior guard Cam Spencer said that the coaches really wanted the team to limit the three point attempts by the Purdue guards.
"I think the coaches made a point that we'd be really locked in if we could control their three-point attempts. I think holding them to seven, we were just really locked in on not letting those other guys get involved in the game."
I think Steph, Tristen, all the guards did a great job."
Added Tristen Newton,
"Yeah, I mean, we knew he (Edey) was going to get his points. It took him 25 shots to get 37 points. That was the game plan, just limit the guards."
"Steph, Cam, got in there and did a great job on the guards, limiting them and their impacts."
UConn Head Men's Basketball Coach Dan Hurley reiterated that defensively, they wanted to stop the Purdue guards from making three pointers. They knew Edey would get a lot of points, but if they could hold the Purdue guards to a combined 18 to 20 points, they could be successful.
"We didn't want to give up three's," said Hurley.
"We didn't care if Zach took 25, 28 shots to get 30, 35 points. This whole game plan was no Smith, no Loyer, no Gillis, no Jones. Keep that collective group under 18, 20 points as a group."
For the game, Uconn was led by senior Tristen Newton who had 20 points, 7 assists and five rebounds. Also leading the Huskies in the National Championship Game were Stephon Castle (15 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists), Donovan Clingan (11 points, 5 assists, 1 rebound) and Cam Spencer (11 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists).
Leading Purdue was Zach Edey who had 37 points and 10 rebounds. Also in double figures for Purdue was Braden Smith who had 12 points, 8 assists and 3 rebounds.