UConn held on to beat Alabama 86-72 to advance to Monday’s title game against Purdue, which defeated N.C. State 63-50 earlier in the night.
In Glendale, Arizona, Tristen Newton patiently awaited the ball screen at the top, then perfectly fed Donovan Clingan as he cut down the lane for a thunderous dunk, igniting a frenzy on the Connecticut bench.
Despite a prolonged battle, the Huskies eventually surged past Alabama on Saturday night, securing an 86-72 victory at State Farm Stadium. With this triumph, UConn advances to the national championship game on Monday night against Purdue, offering them the opportunity to achieve a rare feat: becoming the first school to claim back-to-back men’s basketball national titles since Florida in 2006 and 2007.
In Glendale, Arizona, Tristen Newton patiently awaited the ball screen at the top before delivering a precise pass to Donovan Clingan, who thunderously dunked the ball, setting off celebrations on the Connecticut bench.
Despite a grueling contest, the Huskies managed to overcome Alabama on Saturday night, securing an 86-72 victory at State Farm Stadium. With this triumph, UConn advances to the national championship game on Monday night against Purdue, offering them the chance to achieve a rare accomplishment: becoming the first school to claim consecutive men’s basketball national titles since Florida in 2006 and 2007.
On Monday, UConn, led by coach Danny Hurley, will attempt to defend their national championship title. Historically, this has proven to be an incredibly difficult task over the past 50 years. Apart from Billy Donovan’s Florida Gators, the only other school to accomplish this feat is Duke, which did so in 1992. Interestingly, Bobby Hurley, Danny’s older brother, was a standout point guard on those Duke teams.