When Purdue and NC State wrap up tonight’s opener, we will turn our focus in Phoenix to UConn and Alabama in the nightcap.
Dan Hurley’s Huskies are trying to win their second straight national title and the program’s sixth as UConn returns to the Final Four for the seventh time (all since 1999). Behind Donovan Clingan, UConn (35-3) has dominated Stetson, Northwestern, San Diego State and Illinois to get to Phoenix.
Nate Oats’ high-powered Alabama team is led by Mark Sears and carries a 25-11 record into the program’s first Final Four trip. The Crimson Tide beat Charleston, Grand Canyon, North Carolina and Clemson to get to this point.
Coaches break down UConn, Bama
All season it has felt like we were trending toward an epic national championship showdown between Connecticut and Purdue. Each team is one win away from making that happen, but tricky matchups await them in Glendale, Ariz. There’s NC State and DJ Burns Jr. and the live-and-thrive by the 3 Alabama Crimson Tide.
To help break down the matchups, The Athletic reached out to coaches who have faced these teams, asking them to take a break from the transfer portal to provide some analysis, (One coach told me I was the only person who wasn’t a transfer he had and would talk to on Tuesday. I’m honored.) For each team, at least four coaches — a mix of assistants and head coaches — were interviewed to provide an in-depth scout. They were granted anonymity in exchange for their candor. For brevity, I’ve combined their thoughts.
