Finishing a job that the selection committee thought they were capable of when they were granted the No. 1 overall seed, the UConn Huskies cruised to the school's sixth men's NCAA championship Monday night, pulling away from the Purdue Boilermakers.
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UConn beats Purdue and cruises to sixth NCAA championship
"What could you say?" UConn coach Dan Hurley said. "We won -- by a lot again."
And after one of the most dominant NCAA tournament runs in history last year, when UConn beat its six opponents by 20.0 points per game, it was even more unbeatable this year. The Huskies' average scoring margin in their six 2024 NCAA tournament wins was 23.3 points.
Once again, all six wins came by double digits -- making that 12 straight NCAA tournament wins by at least 10 points dating back to last season.
Zach Edey got his points for Purdue, but UConn's perimeter defense limited the Boilermakers to just one made 3-pointer.
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The keys that won UConn the 2024 men's national championship
UConn has done it. The Huskies repeated as national champions with a convincing 75-60 victory over Purdue. Coach Dan Hurley's team is the first reigning champion to defend its title successfully since Florida won back-to-back championships under Billy Donovan in 2006 and 2007.
The much anticipated clash of the big men lived up to its billing. Zach Edey put up his usual impressive numbers for the Boilermakers: 37 points to go with 10 rebounds. Even so, Donovan Clingan guarded Edey straight up and enabled his teammates to stay on Purdue's perimeter shooters.
With this loss for the Boilermakers, the Big Ten's streak now stands at 24 years and counting since Michigan State won a title for the conference in 2000. Over that span, the Big Ten is 0-8 in national title games.
What was the key to UConn's win?
With UConn in 2024, you have to point at keys, plural. The Huskies out-Purdued Purdue in terms of getting more shots. They didn't turn the ball over at all and crashed their offensive glass. Tristen Newton showed no fear of Edey in attacking the paint repeatedly. Most of all, UConn's defense stayed on Purdue's shooters. Edey scored from the field, but he didn't get to the line, Purdue didn't get its usual share of second chances and there was only one made 3.
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UConn and Duke enter the offseason as the variable early betting favorites to win the 2025 men's basketball championship.
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UConn, Duke open as betting favorites to win 2025 NCAA title
A heavy betting favorite -- both in the odds and for the public -- throughout March Madness, UConn is the first back-to-back NCAA men's basketball champion since Florida in 2007. But it's uncertain if the Huskies can make it three in a row in a highly volatile college basketball landscape.
UConn is the favorite to win the 2025 national championship at ESPN BET and Caesars Sportsbook, opening with +900 and 10-1 odds, respectively. However, DraftKings (10-1) and FanDuel (11-1) have Duke favored to take home the top prize next season, with the Huskies coming in at second (14-1) and sixth (18-1) on those respective odds boards. BetMGM has Kansas and Duke tied at the top (11-1), with UConn right behind (12-1).
With Kentucky's coaching job expected to open Tuesday, UConn's Dan Hurley said he intends to remain with the Huskies in pursuit of "a dynasty in modern times."
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Dan Hurley plans to stay at UConn, eyes 'dynasty in modern times'
With Kentucky's coaching job expected to officially open Tuesday, UConn's Danny Hurley made clear Monday night that he plans to stay with the
Huskies and attempt to win a third straight national title.
After UConn beat Purdue 75-60 to repeat as NCAA tournament champions, Hurley addressed the opening with a few jokes, telling reporters he doesn't "think that's a concern" when asked about Kentucky. He added they should ask his wife, Andrea, who is also a native of New Jersey.
"Oh my God, Kentucky or anywhere that's going to take her further from New Jersey," he said when asked about her reaction to a potential move. "I mean, we just went to Rhode Island, which I had to drag her to, and then to Connecticut. I got her closer. And now further? I can't afford a divorce right now, too. I just started making money."
Hurley went on to give some insight into what's next for his program: "Now you're thinking in your brain, as I'm looking at the locker room, about the chance to do it three times, like a dynasty in modern times. I mean, that's what I'm thinking about."
UConn officials are in line with that thinking, as they gave Hurley a hefty new contract last year in the wake of his first national title at UConn. Hurley made $5 million this season as part of the six-year deal that was announced in June.
Just sayin': Of the 8 UConn players (that played more than 1 minute); only Newton and Spenser are out of eligibility. Karaban, Clingan, Castle, Stewart, Johnson, and Diarra could return next year. Regardless, being considered a legitimate NCAA Champion contender next season UConn should be very attractive to some very good transfers.
Will Hurley actually stay at UConn?
Will UConn 3-PEAT in 2024/2025?
Would 3 consecutive NCAA wins be considered a dynasty?
