Men’s March Madness ends tonight with the crowning of the 2024 national champion. No. 1 UConn is aiming to become the first team in men’s college basketball to repeat as championship since Florida did it in 2006-07. No. 1 Purdue is hunting its first national championship in program history.
TBS is airing the national championship game. USA TODAY Sports will provide the latest news, scores, analysis and more all day. Follow along.
No. 1 UConn and No. 1 Purdue tip off at 9:20 tonight.
TBS is airing tonight’s national championship. You can stream it on the NCAA March Madness Live app, Paramount+, HULU with Live TV, in addition to Sling TV and Fubo.
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UConn played its worst game of the tournament against Alabama and still won by 14 points. The Huskies are an intimidating bunch. Purdue can counter with Edey in the middle and an experienced backcourt. While Edey vs. Donovan Clingan is the marquee matchup, this game will be determined more so by whether the Boilermakers can defend the perimeter and limit the Huskies’ open looks. In a game that looks tight on paper, UConn has more room for error and could put together another double-digit win. — Paul Myerberg
It might seem crazy given how dominant Zach Edey has been in the past two seasons, but he won't be the best player on the court Monday. Donovan Clingan can match his length and has a significant edge in athletic ability that should be key to defending him. Purdue's best chance is riding its 3-point shooting - it ranks No. 1 in the country in percentage from behind the arc - which means Fletcher Loyer and Lance Jones have to be on their game for 40 minutes. Alabama showed you can push Connecticut for a while if you shoot well, but in the end the Huskies pulled away. Look for a similar result as UConn becomes the first team to repeat in 17 years. — Erick Smith
Let me state up front that Purdue absolutely can win this game. UConn is the No. 1 team in the field for a reason, but the Huskies are beatable. However, it takes a nearly perfect performance to pull it off. Alabama played about as well as it could have for 35 minutes Saturday night and still ran out of steam at the end. The Boilermakers have done a superb job eliminating the inconsistencies that led to their early demise last March, and they’re capable of playing a clean game. But I thought going into the tourney that the Huskies would have too many weapons for this championship matchup, and I’ll stand by that conclusion. — Eddie Timanus
As much as I’d enjoy watching a great title game, my guess is that Purdue’s guards will get athletically exposed in this matchup and they’ll be battling uphill just like every other UConn opponent. UConn just does so many little things well on the offensive end that even poor shooting doesn’t seem to slow them down. Purdue will have to play nearly a perfect game to keep this close. — Dan Wolken
In addition to pairing the nation’s two best teams, the national title tilt between UConn and Purdue involves programs with dialed-in fan bases, so naturally a championship here would be quite meaningful for whichever side prevails. The Huskies, one of the premier programs of the last quarter century, seek a second championship in succession and sixth overall. The Boilermakers, often second and sometimes third or lower fiddle in the basketball-mad state of Indiana, hope to hoist a long-awaited first banner.
At the centerpiece of this matchup is the clash of titans in the middle. At 7-2, UConn’s Donovan Clingan doesn’t usually give up any inches to his counterpart in the post, but the Boilermakers’ Zach Edey will actually have two on him. Even so, Edey will have a more difficult time than usual executing his signature jump hook against a defender who can nearly match his reach. In truth, the key to the game will probably unfold at the perimeter, where Purdue’s Braden Smith as the primary ball handler will face UConn’s constant pressure.
It will be up to Lance Jones and Fletcher Loyer to make their share of 3-pointers, as Alabama was able to do Saturday night, to stay within shouting distance of the Huskies. Though UConn’s prowess at the defensive end of the floor has been celebrated all season, its offensive efficiency is just as relentless, with Tristen Newton surgically dissecting opposing defenses and getting the ball to his numerous finishing options. Purdue is unlikely to repeat the mistake of leaving Stephon Castle alone, but Cam Spencer and Alex Karaban also demand attention. — Eddie Timanus
UConn vs. Purdue is a battle of heavyweights that the college basketball world deserves. All eyes will be on how Zach Edey is able to handle the mighty Huskies. Purdue has the caliber of a national championship team, and in any other year, it would likely be hoisting up the trophy. But this Connecticut team just doesn't seem like it can be stopped. Stephon Castle will have another great game, but watch out for Cam Spencer to shine. It's close for a majority of the game, but the Huskies pull away late to win back-to-back national championships. — Jordan Mendoza
Read all of USA TODAY Sports’ predictions here.
Here are USA TODAY Sports’ staff picks for the UConn vs. Purdue national championship game.
The Huskies are the favorites to win the national championship over the Boilermakers, according to BetMGM.
You can't have the men's NCAA Tournament without the potential back-to-back national player of the year. Zach Edey is back and leading Purdue into March Madness again, and is a major reason the Boilermakers are a No. 1 seed for the second straight season. This time, Purdue is hoping for a better outcome than last year – when it was eliminated by a No. 16 seed – and looking to make the Final Four for the first time since 1980. If Purdue does that, Edey will likely be a big reason for the trip to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Here is everything to know about Purdue center Zach Edey.
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