It isn’t a coronation.
Games still have to be played and won. But the reigning NCAA men’s Division I basketball champion UConn Huskies (35-3) look unbeatable as they enter their Final Four matchup on Saturday against Alabama (25-11) at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, tipping off at 8:49 p.m Eastern.
In the other pairing, Purdue (33-4) will face North Carolina State (26-14) with a start time of 6:09 p.m Eastern. The winners will meet on Monday night (9:20 p.m.) for the championship.
Check UConn’s numbers. The tournament’s No. 1 overall seed has won 10 straight NCAA tournament games dating back to their title run last season.
This year?
They dismantled Stetson 91-52 in the opening round. Then dismissed Northwestern 75-58. Next up was San Diego State, which they defeated in last year’s title game. The Huskies devoured the Aztecs 82-52 in the Sweet 16 and then went on a 30-0 from the end of the first half into the second half on Saturday to annihilate Illinois by 77-52 in the Elite 8. Here’s the math. That’s victories by 39, 17, 30 and 25 points. They have led by 30 points or more in each of their four games.
They beat teams big with center Donovan Clingan controlling the paint on both ends. The 7-2 sophomore had 22 points, 10 rebounds and five blocked shots against Illinois. In seniors Tristen Newton and Cam Spencer the Huskies have the best backcourt in the country.
Stephon Castle, a 6-6 freshman, may be the most dynamic two-way wing in college. Early last month he broke Carmelo Anthony’s record (10 in the 2002-03 season) by being named Big East Freshman of the Week for the 11th time.
And oh, UConn has the deepest, most versatile bench in college basketball led by point guard Hassan Diarra. The Queens native, who began his high school journey at Holy Cross, was honored as the Big East Sixth Man of the Year and would be a starter on most squads.
Purdue is formidable with 7-4 senior center Zach Edey, last year’s National College Player of the Year. NC State is on an improbable journey, having had to win the ACC tournament just to make the field of 68. Alabama has a potent offense and is battle tested out of tough SEC.
But until proven otherwise, UConn is simply different.