UConn Wins Back-to-Back Championships Against Purdue
The UConn Huskies are once again the champions of men’s college basketball, defeating the Purdue Boilermakers in the championship game on Monday.
UConn has proven to be a dominant force in the sport over the last quarter-century, securing a remarkable six titles since 1999. Their tournament excellence has been evident this year as they consistently outperformed their opponents on their way to the ultimate showpiece.
Their Final Four victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide, with a score of 86-72, marked their 11th consecutive victory in the NCAA tournament by double digits, showcasing their strength even as the game was closely contested for much of its duration.
Purdue, the No. 1 seed, managed to defeat NC State 63-50 earlier that Saturday, making a comeback after last year’s early exit. This marked the first time the Boilermakers have reached the title game in 55 years.
Confetti falls as the Huskies hoist the trophy while celebrating their national championship win.
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Purdue’s Zach Edey reacts after losing to UConn. Jamie Squire/Getty Images
UConn head coach Dan Hurley celebrates the team’s win. Jamie Squire/Getty Images
UConn’s Stephon Castle attempts a shot while being guarded by Purdue’s Mason Gillis.
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Purdue fans look on during the championship game. Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Purdue’s Fletcher Loyer loses control of the ball while being guarded by UConn’s Cam Spencer and Donovan Clingan.
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UConn cheerleaders root for their team during the game. Jamie Squire/Getty Images
UConn’s Cam Spencer celebrates in the second half. Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Purdue’s Zach Edey attempts a shot in the second half. Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Purdue’s Lance Jones vies for the ball with UConn’s Cam Spencer during the second half.
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UConn’s Cam Spencer shoots the ball over Purdue’s Lance Jones. Tyler Schank/NCAA Photos/Getty Images
UConn’s Hassan Diarra leaps above Purdue’s Trey Kaufman-Renn. Christian Petersen/Getty Images
UConn head coach Dan Hurley argues with the referee during the first half. Brynn Anderson/AP
Tristen Newton of UConn is defended by Purdue’s Zach Edey. Brett Wilhelm/NCAA Photos/Getty Images
Zach Edey of Purdue attempts a shot. Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Purdue’s Zach Edey runs up court with UConn’s Donovan Clingan. Brynn Anderson/AP
Trey Kaufman-Renn of the Purdue Boilermakers is guarded by UConn’s Donovan Clingan.
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UConn’s Tristen Newton takes a shot in the first half. Brynn Anderson/AP
Fans pack State Farm Stadium for the championship game. Chris Coduto/Getty Images
Purdue head coach Matt Painter yells during the first half. Brynn Anderson/AP
UConn and Purdue players vie for the ball in the first half. David J. Phillip/AP
UConn fans cheer before the start of the championship game. David J. Phillip/AP
Fans pose for photos outside State Farm Stadium prior to the game. Ross D. Franklin/AP
UConn’s Donovan Clingan and Youssouf Singare celebrate their 86-72 victory over Alabama in the Final Four game on Saturday.
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UConn fans cheer during the game. Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Alabama forward Mouhamed Dioubate walks off the court after losing to UConn. David J. Phillip/AP
Huskies guard Stephon Castle throws down a dunk. He was UConn’s leading scorer with 21 points.
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Clingan, right, looks to pass. Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos/Getty Images
Alabama’s Grant Nelson dunks over Clingan in the second half. Nelson racked up 19 points during the game.
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Huskies guard Cam Spencer dribbles the ball while being guarded by Nelson. Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Alabama guard Rylan Griffen shoots in the second half. Brynn Anderson/AP
Alabama coach Nate Oats talks to his team during a time out in the first half. Alabama trailed UConn 44-40 at halftime.
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Castle dunks the ball in the first half. Brett Wilhelm/NCAA Photos/Getty Images
Spencer celebrates after making a shot in the first half. He added 14 points during the game.
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UConn forward Alex Karaban fouls Alabama guard Rylan Griffen in the first half. David J. Phillip/AP
Nelson shoots past Clingan. Ross D. Franklin/AP
Alabama forward Nick Pringle battles for a loose ball. David J. Phillip/AP
Alabama’s Mark Sears attempts a shot during the first half. Jamie Squire/Getty Images
UConn head coach Dan Hurley directs his team. Brynn Anderson/AP
Clingan dribbles the ball under pressure from the Crimson Tide. Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Clingan and Pringle reach for the opening tip off. Bob Donnan/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Hurley talks to the team during player introductions before the game. Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos/Getty Images
The UConn Pep Band performs ahead of the game against Alabama. Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Purdue’s Fletcher Loyer celebrates after beating the North Carolina State Wolfpack 63-50.
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NC State forward DJ Burns Jr. walks off the court after losing to Purdue. David J. Phillip/AP
Purdue’s Zach Edey guards the basket in the second half. The star big man had 20 points, 12 rebounds and four assists.
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Purdue guard Lance Jones shoots the ball against NC State guard Jayden Taylor in the second half. Jones added 14 points during the game.
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DJ Horne of NC State dribbles the ball past Purdue’s Mason Gillis. Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Loyer dribbles the ball toward the basket. Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Burns is defended by Zach Edey in the second half. Robert Deutsch/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Burns and Edey interact in the first half. The Boilermakers led 35-29 at halftime.
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Gillis, center, and NC State forward Mohamed Diarra, right, chase down a loose ball. Brynn Anderson/AP
Loyer shoots over NC State guard Casey Morsell. Robert Deutsch/USA Today Sports/Reuters
NC State coach Kevin Keatts watches in the first half. Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Wolfpack guard Jayden Taylor dibbles the ball. Bob Donnan/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Horne goes for a layup against Edey. Brett Wilhelm/NCAA Photos/Getty Images
The Boilermakers run out into the stadium ahead of the game. Brett Wilhelm/NCAA Photos/Getty Images
Wolfpack fans cheer before the game. Robert Deutsch/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Crowds gather to watch the Boilermakers take on the Wolfpack. Joe Rondone/USA Today Sports/Reuters