When the calendar turns from March to April, it is a sad time for college basketball fans. It signals the end of the best tournament in sports, but it also brings joy with a national champion soon to be crowned. On Monday night, the Purdue Boilermakers and the UCONN Huskies will square off in the NCAA Men’s National Championship. This NCAA Tournament has not had the most upsets, but it all led to one of the best possible matchups for the National Championship.

Game Preview

The 2024 NCAA National Championship is taking place at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona and tip-off is set for 8:20 CT. The Purdue Boilermakers are coming off a 63-50 win against the fan-favorite North Carolina State Wolfpack. Conversely, the UCONN Huskies outscored the West Region Alabama Crimson Tide 86-72 in the other Final Four game. UCONN has a point differential of +108 in this NCAA Tournament compared to Purdue who has a +70 point differential. UCONN has one of, if not the best offenses in the country along with a top-5 defense. Purdue’s offense is also up there with UCONN, ranking in the top 3 on Kenpom as well.

This should be a heavyweight bought between two of the best teams in the country, and both deserve to be in this spot. Purdue has taken a lot of criticism about how they play with Edey, but they just keep winning and shutting down the hate. UCONN is looking to be just the 7th team to go back-to-back, and the first since 2007. This is setting up to be an electric National Championship with plenty of star power.

Players to Watch

Zach Edey, Purdue: Edey has been named the Naismith Men’s College Player of the Year for the second year in a row. He has drawn a lot of criticism from fans who are upset by the way he is officiated. Edey vs the next guy will be a great matchup in the post.

Donovan Clingan, UCONN: Clingan will most likely draw the assignment that is guarding Edey. Clingan is averaging 16.2 PPG in the tournament and will need to play a great game to match Edey’s production.

Tristen Newton, UCONN: Newton is another UCONN player who has had an excellent season. The ECU transfer has been the leading scorer for the Huskies and can take over the game on offense or defense.

Braden Smith, Purdue: Smith is the other player on Purdue who will need to play well for a Boilermaker win. Smith initiates the offense, and when he knocks down his shots off of the pick-and-roll, watch out UCONN.

Best Bets:

UCONN has covered the spread in every game this tournament so a bet by the math would be UCONN -6.5.

The UCONN Team Total over 76.5 is great since they have hit in all but the Northwestern game this tournament.

Some player props to take would be Clingan over 13.5 points. Smith over 6.5 assists. And Cam Spencer over 23.5 points, rebounds, and assists.

All in all, the 2024 NCAA National Championship will be a must-watch and has the potential to be an all-time matchup.

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