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GLENDALE, Ariz. — They’re back.
The UConn Huskies survived a 40-minute onslaught from Alabama to advance to their second straight national championship game with ah 86-72 win at State Farm Stadium in the second national semifinal. Awaiting them in the national championship game on Monday night are the Purdue Boilermakers, along with a date with history.
UConn will try to become the first team since the Florida Gators in 2006 and 2007 to win back-to-back national titles.
Freshman Stephon Castle tied a career high with 21 points to lead UConn past the Tide. Donovan Clingan scored 18, Alex Karaban and Cam Spencer each had 14 and Tristen Newton added 12.
Crimson Tide guard Mark Sears finished with a game-high 24 points. Grant Nelson added 19 and Aaron Estrada scored 13. Alabama had tied the score at 56 with 12:41 left, but the Huskies went on a 30-16 run to close the game and advance.
With the title game set, ESPN’s John Gasaway, Josh Weinfuss, Jeff Borzello and Myron Medcalf break down how each men’s Final Four matchup was won on Saturday to set up what could happen on Monday at State Farm Stadium. — Josh Weinfuss
HOW UCONN BEAT ALABAMA 86-72
What was key in Connecticut’s win?
After giving up multiple eight-point leads in the first five minutes of the second half and getting tied at 56 with 12:41 left, UConn used an 8-0 run to take control. And the Huskies never looked back.
Castle scored four in a row to begin the surge before Samson Johnson added a dunk and Karaban hit a jump shot to put the Huskies up by eight. From there, Alabama never got closer than six. — Weinfuss
What surprised you the most about this game?
UConn won by outscoring Alabama instead of by shutting down the Crimson Tide. Yes, the Huskies are ranked No. 1 for offense at KenPom, but we’re talking about a team that got to the Final Four by completely stifling opposing offenses. Just ask Illinois. Against the Tide on the other hand, Stephon Castle had an outstanding scoring night and UConn committed just four turnovers. — Gasaway
Who was the most outstanding player?
Castle entered rare air when he joined Carmelo Anthony and Patrick Ewing to become the third Big East freshman to score 20 points in a Final Four game. He added five rebounds to his career-tying 21 points. When he finished an alley-oop from guard Tristen Newton with 15:43 left, he kick-started the run that gave the Huskies the lead they didn’t relinquish. — Weinfuss
Does UConn look a little less unstoppable after this game?
These things are relative, right? No, UConn never had a 30-point lead on the Crimson Tide. That’s a laughably high bar this team has set for itself. We’re still talking about a team that has won 11 straight NCAA tournament games by double digits. That’s unreal. The Huskies are stoppable because history confirms even the most amazing teams can be stopped. But UConn is still looking very tough to beat. — Gasaway
What will be the legacy of Alabama?
Nate Oats again created an offensive juggernaut that made the school’s first run to the Final Four — proof he could enjoy even more success in the future. His formula works. His teams take a lot of 3-pointers and avoid midrange shots. They play fast and dare teams to match their pace. That worked for a half against the Huskies — though not the full game. But Oats’ system led Alabama to the biggest stage in college basketball — and could continue to do so in future seasons. That matters. — Myron Medcalf
HOW PURDUE BEAT NC STATE 63-50
What was key in Purdue’s win?
Well, besides having the two-time AP Player of the Year play like a two-time AP Player of the Year, Purdue advanced to the national championship game because of its outside shooting. The Boilermakers made 10 3-pointers (40% from behind the arc) while holding NC State to 28.8%. This — despite 16 turnovers, their most of the tournament — was a vast change from Purdue’s past two NCAA tournaments, when it shot just 26.7% from 3. The Boilers’ shooting helped them prevent a fifth loss when committing at least 14 turnovers. — Josh Weinfuss
What surprised you the most about this game?
There were about 30 or 40 total points that went missing in this one, and I did not see that coming. Purdue arrived at the Final Four with easily the best offense in the tournament, one that scored 1.29 points per possession in its four wins. This time, though, the Boilermakers put up 63 points in 64 trips down the floor. NC State did well to force the Boilers into 16 turnovers, but the Wolfpack just couldn’t hit their shots. — Gasaway
Who was the most outstanding player?
Who else? This Purdue team runs through Zach Edey one way or another, and it happened again. Edey finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds for his sixth straight double-double dating to last year’s NCAA tournament — while becoming the first Big Ten player with five double-doubles in an NCAA tournament. He also was able to single-handedly affect the game beyond his scoring and rebounding. Edey touched the ball on 41 possessions, which produced 36 Purdue points and just six turnovers. — Weinfuss
What can Purdue’s next opponent take from this game?
Don’t foul Edey. Holding the Wooden Award winner to a 20-12 double-double qualifies as a win for NC State; the Wolfpack just couldn’t follow up on it and score enough points. Still, making Edey score from the field is your best option in a situation that doesn’t have any good options. Edey will get his points no matter what, but don’t put him on the line and don’t deplete your frontcourt. — Gasaway
What will be the legacy of NC State?
NC State’s run to the Final Four is still historic. The Wolfpack were just the sixth 11-seed to reach a Final Four, and their streak of nine consecutive elimination-game wins was simply remarkable. Stories of Jim Valvano and NC State’s incredible 1983 championship run came out of the archives, and Burns emerged as one of the NCAA tournament’s breakout stars. Keatts has plenty of job security now, and he has proved Raleigh is a spot where transfers can make an immediate impact. — Jeff Borzello
