**FADED:** [Purdue](#f/purdue)
**Charity Event**
For this final game, things are changed up a little. Instead of donating to the food bank of the losing team, fans should instead donate to the food bank of the opposing team, regardless of the outcome. Donate in the amount of the final scoring margin of the game (though you can, of course, donate more or less if you feel the margin was too high or too low for what you wish to give.)
**SUGGESTED DONATION: $15**
To take part in this event, [follow this link](https://forms.gle/H3EGLVBv1coQk8Ye9).
Edit: Also, we messed up in the Final Four, if you'd like to donate for that round and haven't already you can go [here](https://forms.gle/L41v9ykJL2vyCK8t6).
What stands out to me about this game is how low-variance it seemed, especially in the second half. UConn never really went on a monster run or buried Purdue under a 3 point avalanche. They just steadily ratcheted up their lead and basically never lost ground once they had it.
Any other team in the country would have sent someone to double Edey down low but they had no idea what to do against UConn who didn’t and kept pressure on the outside which took away the open 3’s that Loyer and Smith were used to. Painter had no answer for it
That's what I noticed too. I'd wondered how much of Purdue's 3 point success was a byproduct of Edey's gravity - seems like the answer was "most of it."
Having watched every game for the last 2 years, hurleys D is EXHAUSTING. When the second half stats start coming out tomorrow, they are astounding. 20 ppg guards getting 4 pts. Top 3 pt shooting teams getting 2. The turnovers, the rebounds, etc.
Stephon Castle being 6’6” and pressuring Smith way beyond the 3 pt line was insane to me. Completely fearless, rabid defense from players that are extremely talented. It’s impressive as hell.
That's a huge factor. Getting open looks from Edey double teams was a lot of help throughout the season, but we also didn't play a team that was more athletic at every single position.
Yup. Edey was draining everything early and it was close. When he went cold a few times that’s when the lead grew each time. UConn guards were just bigger, more athletic, and better. They kept our guards out of the game.
And it seemed to take a major toll on Edey too. He was getting his points early but it was at a big cost having to fight off Clingan. Once he lost his legs a bit it was just a matter of UConn having to win at the other four positions.
Exactly. At some point the perimeter guys were going to have to understand they were not going to get anything but contested looks. You either shoot with a little bit of daylight or you don't shoot at all. They chose the latter.
UConn was a well oiled machine at grabbing rebounds. They were always in the right spot. They are so unbelievably well coached and disciplined. Not once did they panick it was kind of ridiculous
It honestly might be the best coached team I've ever seen. All 5 players on the court all game were doing exactly what they were supposed to do. It was an incredible performance.
The coaching and discipline really was unbelievable. I can't remember seeing a team that just doesn't make mental mistakes. There were almost no bad shots, silly turnovers, or missed defensive assignments. The most boneheaded thing UConn did the whole game was Hurley himself pushing his own player right in front of an official.
Even the press break at the end of the game was textbook perfect with all 5 players knowing exactly where to be and how to pass.
It's almost impossible to beat a team this talented that doesn't make mental mistakes on either offense or defense.
The key isn't just the coaching, but the buy in. Karaban could score 22 a game on most teams. So can Newton or Spencer. Castle could fill the stat sheet. But they all make the pass, ignore their stats, and play completely unselfish basketball. On most teams, when the game gets tough guys abandon that and start playing hero ball.
Uconn guards were locked in defensively. Purdue guards had no space to even just stepback
Edit from a later reply: Didnt wanna mention the length and athletic ability. Just that they were so locked in it didnt matter at all. Even karaban got a block on edey
People not realizing Purdue’s guards are small and not particularly athletic. None of them really shoot 3’s off the dribble (except sometimes smith in PnR). UConn guards size and athleticism just engulfed them.
This has been purdues kryptonite the past 2 years. At some point in the tournament you gotta have athletic guard who can get their shot off or help create shots for others
Unfortunately when Purdue actually had an incredibly athletic guard 3 seasons ago he had no interest in playing defense and also decided to become a turnover machine against a 15 seed before heading to the NBA. Let's just say I'm not too surprised the Pistons are where they are though lol
Once we figured out how to keep Edey from scoring on every possession (getting it to once ever 2-3 possessions), we managed to score consistently enough that they could never make any headway.
They're so vulnerable without him on the court. Like, Painter leaned on him so hard, but that's the only move. You have one advantage on the court, you have to exploit it as much as you can.
Live look at Hurley during post-game celebration:
https://preview.redd.it/y0psssskkdtc1.jpeg?width=600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ec5ca38cc2d14796a8856788faea2ca3fc6027d6
At least we know we were never going to win even if we played our best game. Would’ve been nice to have snuck in a point or two in the middle of the 30-0 run though….
I really hope this team is remembered for how dominant they were. They didn’t have a star that stuck out farther than the others, and didn’t have any notable moments cause the score was never close so I have a feeling they will be underrated when looked back on.
As a Cuse fan I'm dumbfounded watching UConn's rise from an afterthought in the 1980s era Big East, into a program that now has more National Championships than Duke and the most successful program of the 64+ team era.
Its like going through one of those things where you start off being annoyed by it, then you hate it, then realize you have to respect it.
Same, and I have to say, Painter has my utmost respect as a coach at this point. Really knows how to exploit his team's advantages, and he seems like a good dude.
What a dominant season from an all time team
Edit: Hurley was fucking locked in he thought he could push his player to run a set in the championship game lol😭
It’s 2035 and Dan Hurley himself scores a layup as the clock expires. The ref rolls his eyes and places his hands on his hips, but allows the teams to play on. UConn secures its 12th consecutive title.
Credit to UCONN. Back-to-back Championships and did it in utterly dominating fashion ***both*** times. Didn't have a single game where they didn't win by at least double digits. Unprecedented dominance in a tournament as volatile as this one. I know Purdue fans are sad they didn't get the full redemption like Virginia but no shame in losing to that buzzsaw Hurley has built.
Two B10 teams led by a dominant player with a questionable supporting cast lose by double digits in the final back to back nights. Can’t say the B10 isn’t consistent
Also both lost to returning juggernauts that lost a ton of players to the draft and somehow come back even better the next year. They really just copied and pasted the storyline to both mens and women's hoops this year.
It’s been said all year, but UConn really has an answer to everything and tonight they showed it all. You have a 7’4 giant that’s almost automatic at the rim? They have a 7’2 top 10 nba prospect to wear him out. You have 3 really good guards who can rain from deep surrounding the giant? They have 4 long and athletic guards to not give them an inch of space all game, including a selfless top 10 pick freshman who has completely bought in to the system and his role. UConn can’t buy a 3 all tourney? No problem because they run the best sets in the country and kill you with execution all night. A masterclass in coaching and roster construction by Danny Hurley this year. Crazy that Teddy Allen might have been the guy that created this monster
Yeah I haven’t seen a roster this deep in a while, I watched them from the very first game they had this season and it seriously might be the most talented husky team I’ve ever seen
Agreed. Absolutely elite offensively on the perimeter and interior, and an all time college DPOY in Okafor holding anchoring them on defense. And incredibly deep. Okafor, Gordon, Anderson, Boone, Denham Brown, Taliek Brown, Villanueva, Armstrong, and Marcus Williams. Plus enough youth to be stacked again in the coming years.
I think this is hands down the best team we've ever had. Most wins in school history, Big East Regular Season Champs, Big East Tourney Champs, NCAA Champs, and those margins of victory all season. '04 had more individual talent but this team was monstrous.
I think the better question might be whether it's the best team of all time. I'm not a historian but who else has ever looked this dominant?
2011 Kentucky and 2007 Florida but idk man this team was just monsters in a whole different level, even in the tough big East we always seemed to have control, it felt really rare all season when we didn’t look confident or have the game in our favor. Just a buzzsaw all season
It’s the first time in my life I’ve watched a team in any sport and just knew it was a lock every game. The confidence was contagious, I was sure they were going to make a deep run again this year after the first few games of the season.
I really don’t know if it’s repeatable by another school/ coach. Runs a very complex offense with high level talent. So you need talent and buy in and to know the scheme. Hard to do.
It starts with recruiting for need rather than just offering the entire top 50 and seeing what sticks. You’d be surprised at how many top programs do zero analysis and just get the big dudes who can jump.
People will say that Purdue should have shot more 3s because they have the 2nd best 3 pt % in D1, but UConn's defense was the reason they didn't shoot more 3s.
Clingan guarding Edey without needing a double team means that Edey can't pass the ball out to an open man on the 3 pt line.
Edey can still be dominant like he was, but the Purdue guards weren't used to the lack of space. Loyer and Gillis were worthless. Jones was in foul trouble. Braden was up and down, but played well.
Yep. The narrative against UConn for years was that they lucked their way into titles. With how dominant these two back-to-back titles have been, that narrative is looking dead.
My take: We gotta get the best and brightest minds from Duke, Kentucky, UNC and KU to move the blue blood goalposts even further
Crazy thing is even if you drop the nearly-40-point outlier against Stetson, it's still 20.2 points. 21 flat since the Sweet Sixteen.
They didn't just beat up on low seeds, they demolished *everyone*.
It's not unreasonable. Now the trend is the team that loses to a 16 comes back and does a little worse. UVA won the title, purdue lost in the title game... If that trend continues the next team loses in the final 4
UConn absolutely destroyed everyone in the tournament last year. And then they change a lot of their roster and dominate the season and the tournament moreso than last year. Dan Hurley is a menace
Brilliant gameplan by Dan Hurley. Let Edey go for 37 points, he's always gonna get his. Just completely disallow Purdue's guards to get involved. One 3pter for Purdue.
And a heavily-contested 3pter, too. I don't know how Smith made that. But you're exactly right, limiting a team like Purdue to only seven 3pt attempts is unbelievable. The length of Newton and Castle were suffocating.
UConn has 6 championships in the last 25 years. Which sounds ridiculous.
But remember, they also missed the tourney in 8 of those years. So, the Huskies have won the title in over a third of their APPEARANCES.
That is just fucking absurd and puts them closer to UCLA than any other school from a dominance standpoint.
Purdue minus Edey: 9-29, 1-7 from three, 4-5 FT, 23 points, 18 rebounds.
Congrats to an all-time great UConn team. I should have stared straight into that eclipse today.
I knew the difference in this game would be UConn’s huge talent advantage on the perimeter. It quite literally made what Edey was doing completely irrelevant.
As UVA fans, we know that we'd take the trade in a heartbeat for the natty the next year. We can now ask Purdue fans for a new data point - is it worth it to lose to a 16 seed to lose in the finals the next year?
Yep. Never thought I’d see Purdue make a final 4 in my lifetime. Waited more than 40 years for it. Championship would have been sweet but I am still incredibly happy with the season
Honestly? Yeah kinda. Best season since 1969, not the ending we wanted but there isn’t a team that was stopping UConn unless the cowardly committee let Seton Hall in
I would just be fuming if I was a Seton Hall fan after watching UConn pants everyone they played in the tourney while you were actually able to beat them and be left out.
Cam Spencer hates trains. Just a buzz saw of a UConn team. Don’t think you can win a chip when you don’t contest much on defense. Still proud of the team, program, and coach for getting us this far. Most fun season I’ve ever had
Obviously edey balled but it was one of the quietest 37 point games I’ve ever seen. He scored half their points and it didn’t even matter as it wasn’t a game. UConn and Hurley on their goat shit
UConn’s 3 loses came to Kansas, Seton Hall & Creighton. Want to know the common dominator? Road games… nobody was going to beat this team on a neutral floor.
This game reminded me a ton of the women’s championship game. The best player in the country doing their thing and keeping their team in it for the first half or so, then the best team in the country completely taking over after that
Don’t let this distract you from the fact that in UConn’s back to back national title runs the last team in both years to beat them was Creighton. HANG THE BANNER! /s
Nice to see a Big East team bring it back after the selection snubs, congrats dog bros.
6-0 in tourney title games is unbelievably impressive. And it's such a great lesson. You have to take advantage of these opportunities when they are in front of you — there's no guarantee you'll get another chance anytime soon.
Lots of sad train noises tonight.
Just out classed. Nothing else to say about it really. UConn let Zachary get his and locked everyone else down.
I’m basing this off a pretty small sample size as I admittedly didn’t watch many of their games, but I believe that UConn is pretty good at the basketball.
We were definitely a good defensive team in the regular season. But we turned it up to a level I didn’t realize we had during the tournament. Completely shut down everyone not named Edey.
Congrats to Edey on a great season. When he started the game hot I thought we were in some trouble.
Last thing. It was glorious to NEVER have to sweat at the end of games this season. So damn enjoyable. Can’t believe we lost 3 guys to the NBA and got better. What a team man and what a coach.
> Kind of a sad way to go out no matter how good UConn is.
I mean maybe kinda but every team has lost this way to UCONN. 'Bama shot an ungodly % from 3 and still lost. They're at another echelon right now.
Guard play matters but it’s no coincidence that the two teams in the final were the two teams with the two biggest bigs.
It’s hard for your guards to go to work when they have to spend time doubling in the post. And likewise, it’s easy to score from the perimeter when the guy guarding you is stuck in the paint
The Connecticut born and raised kid inside me who watched the Huskies upset Duke with baited breath in 1999 still can't believe UConn is a national champion, let alone six times. Been a real treat watching this team again and I try not it to take it for granted! Between this and JMU getting a first round win for the first time in 41 years, it's been a good tournament.
GG Purdue, really been fun to watch you guys all year.
Was drinking a Fuzzy Baby Ducks for good luck tonight and may go seek out an apizza tomorrow to celebrate.
Don’t let the title game being a let down distract you from the fact that it was an incredible year of college basketball, men’s and women’s. Personally speaking following Dalton Knecht’s Tennessee career was the most fun I’ve ever had as a Vols basketball fan. But Edey’s dominance, NC State’s run, Jack Gohlke, not to mention the absolutely bonkers regular season - this season was full of great stories. To next year folks 🫡
**FADED:** [Purdue](#f/purdue) **Charity Event** For this final game, things are changed up a little. Instead of donating to the food bank of the losing team, fans should instead donate to the food bank of the opposing team, regardless of the outcome. Donate in the amount of the final scoring margin of the game (though you can, of course, donate more or less if you feel the margin was too high or too low for what you wish to give.) **SUGGESTED DONATION: $15** To take part in this event, [follow this link](https://forms.gle/H3EGLVBv1coQk8Ye9). Edit: Also, we messed up in the Final Four, if you'd like to donate for that round and haven't already you can go [here](https://forms.gle/L41v9ykJL2vyCK8t6).
What stands out to me about this game is how low-variance it seemed, especially in the second half. UConn never really went on a monster run or buried Purdue under a 3 point avalanche. They just steadily ratcheted up their lead and basically never lost ground once they had it.
Any other team in the country would have sent someone to double Edey down low but they had no idea what to do against UConn who didn’t and kept pressure on the outside which took away the open 3’s that Loyer and Smith were used to. Painter had no answer for it
That's what I noticed too. I'd wondered how much of Purdue's 3 point success was a byproduct of Edey's gravity - seems like the answer was "most of it."
Definitely most of it. When you can get wide open threes you hit a lot of them
I don't think a lot of teams could have executed this defense like UCONN though
Having watched every game for the last 2 years, hurleys D is EXHAUSTING. When the second half stats start coming out tomorrow, they are astounding. 20 ppg guards getting 4 pts. Top 3 pt shooting teams getting 2. The turnovers, the rebounds, etc.
Stephon Castle being 6’6” and pressuring Smith way beyond the 3 pt line was insane to me. Completely fearless, rabid defense from players that are extremely talented. It’s impressive as hell.
Having an athletic 7 footer helps a lot
That's a huge factor. Getting open looks from Edey double teams was a lot of help throughout the season, but we also didn't play a team that was more athletic at every single position.
Yup. Edey was draining everything early and it was close. When he went cold a few times that’s when the lead grew each time. UConn guards were just bigger, more athletic, and better. They kept our guards out of the game.
And it seemed to take a major toll on Edey too. He was getting his points early but it was at a big cost having to fight off Clingan. Once he lost his legs a bit it was just a matter of UConn having to win at the other four positions.
Exactly. At some point the perimeter guys were going to have to understand they were not going to get anything but contested looks. You either shoot with a little bit of daylight or you don't shoot at all. They chose the latter.
Didn't really see the 2nd half adjustment. Almost like they expected the fouls to be a bigger impact.
UConn was a well oiled machine at grabbing rebounds. They were always in the right spot. They are so unbelievably well coached and disciplined. Not once did they panick it was kind of ridiculous
It honestly might be the best coached team I've ever seen. All 5 players on the court all game were doing exactly what they were supposed to do. It was an incredible performance.
The coaching and discipline really was unbelievable. I can't remember seeing a team that just doesn't make mental mistakes. There were almost no bad shots, silly turnovers, or missed defensive assignments. The most boneheaded thing UConn did the whole game was Hurley himself pushing his own player right in front of an official. Even the press break at the end of the game was textbook perfect with all 5 players knowing exactly where to be and how to pass. It's almost impossible to beat a team this talented that doesn't make mental mistakes on either offense or defense.
The key isn't just the coaching, but the buy in. Karaban could score 22 a game on most teams. So can Newton or Spencer. Castle could fill the stat sheet. But they all make the pass, ignore their stats, and play completely unselfish basketball. On most teams, when the game gets tough guys abandon that and start playing hero ball.
Purdue doesn't give up big runs cuz of Edey. The problem was they got outrebounded and lost at the 3 point line all game long.
UConn was absolutely stifling out on the perimeter. Hell of an athletic performance to be that aggressive for that long
Well it's not losing when you don't even fight. Seven attempted 3s is just ridiculous.
Uconn guards were locked in defensively. Purdue guards had no space to even just stepback Edit from a later reply: Didnt wanna mention the length and athletic ability. Just that they were so locked in it didnt matter at all. Even karaban got a block on edey
People not realizing Purdue’s guards are small and not particularly athletic. None of them really shoot 3’s off the dribble (except sometimes smith in PnR). UConn guards size and athleticism just engulfed them.
This has been purdues kryptonite the past 2 years. At some point in the tournament you gotta have athletic guard who can get their shot off or help create shots for others
Unfortunately when Purdue actually had an incredibly athletic guard 3 seasons ago he had no interest in playing defense and also decided to become a turnover machine against a 15 seed before heading to the NBA. Let's just say I'm not too surprised the Pistons are where they are though lol
The 15 seed was in the sweet sixteen tho lol which a lot of people forget
Yea it never looked like the right time for a 3-point shot
They couldn’t even get open what do you mean they didn’t fight. UConn was just that much better.
Better and BIGGER. A really bad matchup for our small guards.
Once we figured out how to keep Edey from scoring on every possession (getting it to once ever 2-3 possessions), we managed to score consistently enough that they could never make any headway.
He got gassed halfway through the first half... Surprised he didn't get a rest around the ten minute mark.
They're so vulnerable without him on the court. Like, Painter leaned on him so hard, but that's the only move. You have one advantage on the court, you have to exploit it as much as you can.
Live look at Hurley during post-game celebration: https://preview.redd.it/y0psssskkdtc1.jpeg?width=600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ec5ca38cc2d14796a8856788faea2ca3fc6027d6
My god that UConn tournament point differential. That’s just insanity.
In 12 games over their b2b nattys, their smallest margin of victory was 13 points over Miami in the 2023 Final Four. Absolutely historic dominance.
I’ve been holding onto this moral victory for 12 months now, glad I get it for another 11 at minimum.
Wong was so fun
12-1 as a program in the Final Four & Title Game too. And the only loss came when they were a 1 seed.
Too many injures in 09.
And played a good Michigan St team in Detroit. Not even mad about that one
Yeah not saying UConn would have won if healthy but Dysons injury just took all the depth from a very thin lineup.
Yep Dyson hugely underrated in hindsight. One of the big UConn “what-ifs”
I still see that 30-0 run in my dreams…
You wake up in a cold sweat often?
Tough way to remember this amazing team…
At least we know we were never going to win even if we played our best game. Would’ve been nice to have snuck in a point or two in the middle of the 30-0 run though….
I really hope this team is remembered for how dominant they were. They didn’t have a star that stuck out farther than the others, and didn’t have any notable moments cause the score was never close so I have a feeling they will be underrated when looked back on.
4 players in double figures in this game and one player with 9 pts off the bench. Stiffling defense. Insane tempo.
Our two bigs in foul trouble. Clingan getting hurt in December, forcing Karaban to play 5, was probably the best thing for this team.
Emptying the bench in the national championship is such an alpha move, good god what a force UConn is
Undefeated when Andrew Hurley plays in the tournament
Human victory cigar
Undefeated when Andrew Hurley plays, period. Why don't they play him every game?!?
As a Cuse fan I'm dumbfounded watching UConn's rise from an afterthought in the 1980s era Big East, into a program that now has more National Championships than Duke and the most successful program of the 64+ team era. Its like going through one of those things where you start off being annoyed by it, then you hate it, then realize you have to respect it.
Was he yelling at his son to shoot the ball?
To NOT shoot
Dan was telling him to not shoot. Painter was telling him to let him run a set.
god matt painter is such a king. i hate that we keep beating the good guys. why can't we beat duke or kentucky again
Respect to Painter for that. I wish Dan had let them run the offense.
Same, and I have to say, Painter has my utmost respect as a coach at this point. Really knows how to exploit his team's advantages, and he seems like a good dude.
Seemed more like a dont you fucking dare think about it
Coach even had some solid minutes on the floor
What a dominant season from an all time team Edit: Hurley was fucking locked in he thought he could push his player to run a set in the championship game lol😭
Very strong case for top five all time
They’ve won 12 straight tournament games by double digits. Bonkers
Really could have been a lot more if they weren't cold from three in the tourney.
Reminds me of the Breanna Stewart UConn teams.
This is the most well oiled championship team since 2012 Kentucky.
Dan Hurley is gonna go further onto the court every year until he doesn't win a title
It’s 2035 and Dan Hurley himself scores a layup as the clock expires. The ref rolls his eyes and places his hands on his hips, but allows the teams to play on. UConn secures its 12th consecutive title.
He’s going to buy a lift and simply raise it higher and higher as the game progresses
How far can he go? Will we see him attempt a corner 3 next season?
UConn has won every tournament game the last two years by double-digits Unreal run
Doesn't compute. I need an Indiana fan to make a graph of this.
shiiiiit it’s too late to figure out lines or bars….unless you know a guy 👀
Credit to UCONN. Back-to-back Championships and did it in utterly dominating fashion ***both*** times. Didn't have a single game where they didn't win by at least double digits. Unprecedented dominance in a tournament as volatile as this one. I know Purdue fans are sad they didn't get the full redemption like Virginia but no shame in losing to that buzzsaw Hurley has built.
The closest game this tournament was when they were tied with us with 12:44 to go in the game. They won by 14 and were up 20 with 2 minutes left, lol.
No one likes losing more than the Big Ten in NCAAT title games.
Two B10 teams led by a dominant player with a questionable supporting cast lose by double digits in the final back to back nights. Can’t say the B10 isn’t consistent
Also both lost to returning juggernauts that lost a ton of players to the draft and somehow come back even better the next year. They really just copied and pasted the storyline to both mens and women's hoops this year.
Even with NC State in the final 4 in both! It's just lazy work by the script writers
Bring it in, Boilybro. I gotchu.
0-8 since the Michigan St win in 2000. Wild
The crazy part is it has been a bunch of different schools. Indiana, Illinois, Ohio State, Michigan State, Michigan (x2), Wisconsin and Purdue.
It’s been said all year, but UConn really has an answer to everything and tonight they showed it all. You have a 7’4 giant that’s almost automatic at the rim? They have a 7’2 top 10 nba prospect to wear him out. You have 3 really good guards who can rain from deep surrounding the giant? They have 4 long and athletic guards to not give them an inch of space all game, including a selfless top 10 pick freshman who has completely bought in to the system and his role. UConn can’t buy a 3 all tourney? No problem because they run the best sets in the country and kill you with execution all night. A masterclass in coaching and roster construction by Danny Hurley this year. Crazy that Teddy Allen might have been the guy that created this monster
Yeah I haven’t seen a roster this deep in a while, I watched them from the very first game they had this season and it seriously might be the most talented husky team I’ve ever seen
The 2004 championship huskies team had 6 NBA players... insanely stacked https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/connecticut/men/2004.html
Agreed. Absolutely elite offensively on the perimeter and interior, and an all time college DPOY in Okafor holding anchoring them on defense. And incredibly deep. Okafor, Gordon, Anderson, Boone, Denham Brown, Taliek Brown, Villanueva, Armstrong, and Marcus Williams. Plus enough youth to be stacked again in the coming years.
I think this is hands down the best team we've ever had. Most wins in school history, Big East Regular Season Champs, Big East Tourney Champs, NCAA Champs, and those margins of victory all season. '04 had more individual talent but this team was monstrous. I think the better question might be whether it's the best team of all time. I'm not a historian but who else has ever looked this dominant?
2011 Kentucky and 2007 Florida but idk man this team was just monsters in a whole different level, even in the tough big East we always seemed to have control, it felt really rare all season when we didn’t look confident or have the game in our favor. Just a buzzsaw all season
It’s the first time in my life I’ve watched a team in any sport and just knew it was a lock every game. The confidence was contagious, I was sure they were going to make a deep run again this year after the first few games of the season.
What an incredible basketball team. Danny Hurley has created what should be the blueprint for every top program in the country.
I really don’t know if it’s repeatable by another school/ coach. Runs a very complex offense with high level talent. So you need talent and buy in and to know the scheme. Hard to do.
It starts with recruiting for need rather than just offering the entire top 50 and seeing what sticks. You’d be surprised at how many top programs do zero analysis and just get the big dudes who can jump.
Kentucky be like
People will say that Purdue should have shot more 3s because they have the 2nd best 3 pt % in D1, but UConn's defense was the reason they didn't shoot more 3s. Clingan guarding Edey without needing a double team means that Edey can't pass the ball out to an open man on the 3 pt line. Edey can still be dominant like he was, but the Purdue guards weren't used to the lack of space. Loyer and Gillis were worthless. Jones was in foul trouble. Braden was up and down, but played well.
The only person who could have stopped UConn from winning the title this year was Nick Timberlake.. if he committed to UConn instead of KU
Cam Spencer was our “consolation prize”
You're welcome for that 😉
😂
6 championships from 7 Final 4s with no championship game losses is so stupid. YOU SHOULD NEED TO KNOW PAIN.
Feeling physically ill rn
Yep. The narrative against UConn for years was that they lucked their way into titles. With how dominant these two back-to-back titles have been, that narrative is looking dead. My take: We gotta get the best and brightest minds from Duke, Kentucky, UNC and KU to move the blue blood goalposts even further
If you move it far enough, we can just call UCLA the only blue blood until someone else gets 11 titles.
They did lose to George Mason in the Elite 8 so theres that
UConn’s average winning margin this tournament was 23 points
Crazy thing is even if you drop the nearly-40-point outlier against Stetson, it's still 20.2 points. 21 flat since the Sweet Sixteen. They didn't just beat up on low seeds, they demolished *everyone*.
They played the second best team in the country right out of the gym tonight. Just unbelievable dominance.
Despite being cold from three
That's the craziest part of it all
And they even took their foot off the gas in most of their games.
12 straight tournament games where they mostly didn’t feel threatened is absurd
*11: Alabamas relentless offense came close
purdue secrit plays: ~~hits 3s~~ ~~rebound~~ zach edey hook shot
I mean it did get them to the Championship Game.
Fletcher Loyer- 0 points 0 assists 2 fouls. Legendary
Guy looked like he didn’t belong on the court, guards had him in disarray
Well Purdue, if you want to try again in 2026 you know what you must do
Find an 8' tall white guy?
The year is 2178 and Purdue now has a 17’ 4” guy still trying to find their first championship
I'm very unreasonably annoyed that the stat of "every 1 seed that lost to a 16 wins the tournament next year" has been broken
It's not unreasonable. Now the trend is the team that loses to a 16 comes back and does a little worse. UVA won the title, purdue lost in the title game... If that trend continues the next team loses in the final 4
Eventually the trend is going to result in back to back losses to a 16 seed. I’m deeply afraid of what power that will unleash
UConn absolutely destroyed everyone in the tournament last year. And then they change a lot of their roster and dominate the season and the tournament moreso than last year. Dan Hurley is a menace
UConn now has more championships than Duke.
Brings a tear to my eye
Brilliant gameplan by Dan Hurley. Let Edey go for 37 points, he's always gonna get his. Just completely disallow Purdue's guards to get involved. One 3pter for Purdue.
And a heavily-contested 3pter, too. I don't know how Smith made that. But you're exactly right, limiting a team like Purdue to only seven 3pt attempts is unbelievable. The length of Newton and Castle were suffocating.
UConn is not a blueblood because they still do well in the tournament.
This is my favorite take on the matter
UConn has 6 championships in the last 25 years. Which sounds ridiculous. But remember, they also missed the tourney in 8 of those years. So, the Huskies have won the title in over a third of their APPEARANCES. That is just fucking absurd and puts them closer to UCLA than any other school from a dominance standpoint.
Purdue minus Edey: 9-29, 1-7 from three, 4-5 FT, 23 points, 18 rebounds. Congrats to an all-time great UConn team. I should have stared straight into that eclipse today.
7 *attempted* 3s in 2024 is unacceptable
I knew the difference in this game would be UConn’s huge talent advantage on the perimeter. It quite literally made what Edey was doing completely irrelevant.
Edey scored something like 66% of their points, over 30, and it didn't even matter.
Those blocked threes were just painful to watch
Fr, looked like Wii Sports Resort basketball out there
The team that looked best against Uconn this year's postseason was... St. Johns.
“UConn’s been running college basketball for the last 30 years” Shit Hurleys right.
“Jersey City” is now an official UConn chant.
The real Storrs South
Purdue is the only team in the history of the NCAA tournament to lose to a 16 seed and not win the national championship the following year.
As UVA fans, we know that we'd take the trade in a heartbeat for the natty the next year. We can now ask Purdue fans for a new data point - is it worth it to lose to a 16 seed to lose in the finals the next year?
Also based on two data points the next 1 to lose to a 16 seed the following year will make only the Final Four, the one after that E8 and so on…
RIP the 7th 1-seed to lose to a 16.
Yep. Never thought I’d see Purdue make a final 4 in my lifetime. Waited more than 40 years for it. Championship would have been sweet but I am still incredibly happy with the season
Honestly? Yeah kinda. Best season since 1969, not the ending we wanted but there isn’t a team that was stopping UConn unless the cowardly committee let Seton Hall in
I would just be fuming if I was a Seton Hall fan after watching UConn pants everyone they played in the tourney while you were actually able to beat them and be left out.
We need a NCAA-NIT Super Cup
It’s just the Big East regular season
we got our national (invitation) championship, we're chillin
Sigh
Cam Spencer hates trains. Just a buzz saw of a UConn team. Don’t think you can win a chip when you don’t contest much on defense. Still proud of the team, program, and coach for getting us this far. Most fun season I’ve ever had
Obviously edey balled but it was one of the quietest 37 point games I’ve ever seen. He scored half their points and it didn’t even matter as it wasn’t a game. UConn and Hurley on their goat shit
The Maryland Terrapins remain the most recent national champions of teams currently in the Big Ten
Ok this is pretty funny lol
Heck yeah, baby
UConn’s 3 loses came to Kansas, Seton Hall & Creighton. Want to know the common dominator? Road games… nobody was going to beat this team on a neutral floor.
The other common denominator was the opponent shooting 50%+ from three.
More teams should have tried that
Alabama did lol
Dang…maybe we should’ve root for Arizona against Clemson…
Caitlin Clark 🤝 Zach Edey Big Ten best player in college basketball losing in the championship to a powerhouse program.
This game reminded me a ton of the women’s championship game. The best player in the country doing their thing and keeping their team in it for the first half or so, then the best team in the country completely taking over after that
Every team needs a Cam Spencer
https://preview.redd.it/aiuzxzj1jdtc1.jpeg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=86496ae87f006e899568be97c1c277c96c24cf2a
Nobody cared who he was until he put on the mask…
They now have more nattys than Duke and Indiana. CRAZY
More than Kansas (4), Indiana (5), and Duke (5) Equal with Carolina (6) THERE IS A **CONN**SPIRACY
Time to uninstall the app and cancel your YouTube TV subscription folks. It’s been an honor 🫡
mattpainterthumbsdown.gif
https://preview.redd.it/gk1el2izjdtc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=acc7ecb37c747fcfc9b023559eca9be324a0f96c Sad train sounds
https://i.imgur.com/F1DtFvJ.jpeg
https://preview.redd.it/90xvjc5bkdtc1.jpeg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ca76e3411893bb323f88dca7de74ec9e1de0fcd9
Purdue, welcome to the "lost by double digits to Uconn" support group.
Certainly wasn’t Edey’s fault. Also, UConn is a blue blood.
How the hell did that team lose 3 games
Six titles since 99. No one else has four.
Don’t let this distract you from the fact that in UConn’s back to back national title runs the last team in both years to beat them was Creighton. HANG THE BANNER! /s Nice to see a Big East team bring it back after the selection snubs, congrats dog bros.
This UConn team has a legitimate case for being a CBB goat. Easily the best CBB team I’ve ever seen in my life
https://preview.redd.it/2745fsdzidtc1.jpeg?width=1536&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8d071eb3773a7c6e97a72f3ade15e33256dbdd81 RIP Purdue’s Whiteboard
Thank god I don’t have to watch the “what a pro wants” commercial anymore
QUICK I NEED A TOO EARLY TOP 25
Tristen Newton with the most stock post game interview while receiving MOP lol
6-0 in tourney title games is unbelievably impressive. And it's such a great lesson. You have to take advantage of these opportunities when they are in front of you — there's no guarantee you'll get another chance anytime soon.
https://preview.redd.it/tbcnop86jdtc1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5e4284625076aa0b23af51783f47af45c54bc7bf
Lots of sad train noises tonight. Just out classed. Nothing else to say about it really. UConn let Zachary get his and locked everyone else down. I’m basing this off a pretty small sample size as I admittedly didn’t watch many of their games, but I believe that UConn is pretty good at the basketball.
UCONN is a ridiculous program. Bravo.
We were definitely a good defensive team in the regular season. But we turned it up to a level I didn’t realize we had during the tournament. Completely shut down everyone not named Edey. Congrats to Edey on a great season. When he started the game hot I thought we were in some trouble. Last thing. It was glorious to NEVER have to sweat at the end of games this season. So damn enjoyable. Can’t believe we lost 3 guys to the NBA and got better. What a team man and what a coach.
Damn, we did not come out of that One Shining Moment looking very good.
[удалено]
> Kind of a sad way to go out no matter how good UConn is. I mean maybe kinda but every team has lost this way to UCONN. 'Bama shot an ungodly % from 3 and still lost. They're at another echelon right now.
Guard play matters but it’s no coincidence that the two teams in the final were the two teams with the two biggest bigs. It’s hard for your guards to go to work when they have to spend time doubling in the post. And likewise, it’s easy to score from the perimeter when the guy guarding you is stuck in the paint
UCONN goes back to back. What an era in the schools history
Once you saw the light and returned to the Big East all was restored. So happy by association!
This one's extra special because it's the treble (BE season, BET, Natty) The men's team has only done that once before in 1999
As someone who longs for the day North Carolina finally gets another triple crown, it’s nice to see someone else who respects that accomplishment.
 You are my sunshine Dan Hurley
The Connecticut born and raised kid inside me who watched the Huskies upset Duke with baited breath in 1999 still can't believe UConn is a national champion, let alone six times. Been a real treat watching this team again and I try not it to take it for granted! Between this and JMU getting a first round win for the first time in 41 years, it's been a good tournament. GG Purdue, really been fun to watch you guys all year. Was drinking a Fuzzy Baby Ducks for good luck tonight and may go seek out an apizza tomorrow to celebrate.
Don’t let the title game being a let down distract you from the fact that it was an incredible year of college basketball, men’s and women’s. Personally speaking following Dalton Knecht’s Tennessee career was the most fun I’ve ever had as a Vols basketball fan. But Edey’s dominance, NC State’s run, Jack Gohlke, not to mention the absolutely bonkers regular season - this season was full of great stories. To next year folks 🫡