By: Myles Papponi
The Final Four is arguably one of the biggest stages in all of sports. It is unquestionably the biggest stage in college sports. Preparation and adaptation are usually the separators during the postseason, but as young men who have never experienced something like this before, there is only so much preparation that can be done. The crowd is the loudest players have ever heard; the lights are brighter than ever, each team faces its biggest test yet, and it feels like the whole world is watching. Then, players have to settle down and play their absolute best basketball. There is no reasonable way to prepare for that except to experience it, an experience players will never forget. The Final Four in the Men’s NCAA Tournament took place Saturday, and players would give fans and viewers a show they would hopefully never forget.
Cinderella’s Run Ends
A battle of big men kicked off the Final Four in the sizzling heat of Glendale, Arizona, when #11 NC State faced #1 Purdue. The Wolfpack’s DJ Burns Jr. and Boilermakers’ Zach Edey showcased pure skill and unquestionable strength to give their team a chance to play for a National Championship. Thanks to their dedication to offensive rebounding, Purdue jumped out to an early lead. NC State clawed its way back into the contest and would only be down by six at the break. The Wolfpack were in an ideal position to complete another upset in the tournament and continue to display legendary NC State Coach Jim Valvano’s iconic phrase “Survive and Advance.” As much as one can, NC State, specifically Ben Middlebrooks, slowed Edey down by forcing him to use his dribble to get deep into the paint, and then the guards would blitz him to poke the ball away. This strategy proved rewarding, forcing Edey to turn the ball over five times and speed up his game more than he would like. When facing talent like Edey, a team is unlikely to make them a nonfactor for the entire game. The most a team can hope for is to limit them as much as possible and take them out of their game.
While NC State was successful in this endeavor, they were not as fruitful in taking advantage of spurts in the game when Edey did not play well. Many of NC State’s shots looked rushed, going 5 for 19 from three and only able to convert 2 points in transition. The Wolfpack was also not aggressive or physical when driving the ball, shooting just four free throws. This is partly because Purdue is disciplined enough to play solid defense without fouling. However, if NC State had looked to get to the line more often, perhaps they could have calmed their nerves and found their shot from the line. NC State’s defense kept the game within reach by forcing 16 turnovers, but their inability to capitalize on the offense end held them back from ever gaining a lead. Burns did not play a terrific offensive game with 8 points and 4 assists, but he would dazzle the crowd on a few possessions with his passing and smooth footwork. Burns got into foul trouble early, and it was no easy task to defend and box out Zach Edey. DJ Horne was the biggest spark the Wolfpack had offensively, posting 20 points and consistently creating his own shot. Neither team shot excellent during the game, as Purdue would go 40% from the field, but they made timely baskets and knocked down momentum-stunting shots from deep, keeping the lead in their favor. Going on a 14-2 run late in the second half, Purdue started to run away with the game, and it was nearing midnight for this year’s Cinderella team.
Despite the Wolfpack’s efforts, Edey still had a dominant game with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Purdue guard Lance Jones also contributed much to his team, with four shots from beyond the arc and 14 points. NC State had a historic and thrilling run in the tournament, displaying all the qualities that make March Madness sensational to witness. However, the Boilermakers would prove too much for NC State to handle, winning the low-scoring affair 63-50. Purdue will now play for the National Championship for the first time since 1969, where they look to win their program’s first NCAA title.
Huskies Back in Title Game
The latter half of the doubleheader was just as heated when #4 Alabama looked to upset overall #1 seed UConn. Both teams shot decent from the floor, and Alabama was even able to take the lead for over three minutes during the game behind their great shooting from three. This is significant, considering UConn had only trailed for just over 30 seconds during the entire tournament. Hitting 11 shots from beyond the three-point line, Alabama was proving they would not go away easily and would give UConn trouble. Despite their slow shooting start, UConn would hit ten threes of their own and outrebound Alabama by eight. Alabama has lived off of their shooting and fast-paced offense in transition this season, and while they did shoot well, UConn would hold them to zero fast break points. Alabama guard Mark Sears gave everything he had, going for a game-high 24 points. Forward Grant Nelson also had a solid night with 19 points and 15 boards and did not shy away from challenging UConn center Donovan Clingan on both sides of the floor. The Crimson Tide’s efforts would ultimately fall short as UConn’s superb team basketball would give the Huskies the upper hand.
Behind their Head Coach Dan Hurley’s advice, the Huskies dedicated themselves to playing spirited defense when they led down the stretch. UConn had a magnificent assist-to-turnover ratio, with 20 assists to just four turnovers. Sharing the ball stylishly, all five starters scored in double digits, led by guard Stephon Castle and his 21 points. Castle played an outstanding game, keeping his team afloat early when they needed it most. Donovan Clingan had another stellar performance with 18 points, 5 boards, and 4 blocked shots. Clingan’s commitment on both ends of the floor is incredible to watch, and his emphatic and forceful dunks give his team energy and take the life out of their opponent. After advancing to their first-ever Final Four, Alabama could not overthrow the number one overall seed and lost 86-72. The Huskies advance to the final game and continue their journey to compete for a back-to-back National Championship, becoming the first to accomplish such a feat since the 2007 Florida Gators.
The National Championship game will take place on Monday at 7:20 p.m. MDT. It is undoubtedly set up to display electrifying and spectacular basketball as two #1 seeds go head-to-head. Two of college basketball’s top 7-footers face off as Purdue’s Zach Edey and UConn’s Donovan Clingan hope to help their teams make history. However, five beats one every time and it will certainly take more than just one guy on each team to win a Championship. Each side will try to prove they are the better team on Monday, when only one can be crowned Champion.
