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.
UConn center Youssouf Sing are (24) and forward Samson Johnson (35) celebrate after after their win against Alabama in a NCAA college basketball game at the Final Four, Saturday, April 6, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
UConn center Youssouf Singare (24) and forward Samson Johnson (35) celebrate after after their win against Alabama on Saturday.David J. Phillip / AP
No. 1 seeds UConn and Purdue will square off in the NCAA Tournament men’s basketball championship game Monday night in Phoenix.
The Huskies and Boilermakers defeated No. 4 seed Alabama and No. 11 seed N.C. State, respectively, on Saturday in the Final Four.
UConn, the defending national champions, will look to become the first program since Florida in 2007 to win back-to-back titles. The Huskies have reached the championship five previous times, winning every matchup.
Purdue has not won an NCAA Tournament.
UConn opened as a 5.5 point favorite over Purdue on Monday night, according to DraftKings. The game total is set at 146.5.
UConn, the betting favorites entering the tournament, outlasted Alabama on Saturday thanks to a dominant performance down the stretch. The game was tied at 56 points each with 12:04 remaining before Dan Hurley’s squad took over. All five UConn starters scored in double figures, led by Stephon Castle’s 21 points.
Purdue cruised past N.C. State 63-50 after another big game from All-American center Zach Edey. The 7-foot-4 Canadian finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds as the Boilermakers dominated on the inside. Purdue outrebounded its opponent 41-28 and also added 10 3-pointers.
The Boilermakers pulled away late in the second half, going on a 14-1 run with a little over four minutes remaining.
The NCAA men’s basketball championship game will take place Monday at 9:20 p.m. ET.
