After an outstanding finish to the Women’s College basketball season which saw South Carolina hoist the trophy and finish their season undefeated, we end the men’s season tonight with two of the best teams in Men’s College Basketball all season. It’s Purdue vs UConn for the National Championship. Here is what you will need to know.

#1 Purdue vs #1 UConn:

Purdue and UConn have been the two most dominating teams in the nation all season long. The Boilermakers boast the two-time national player of the year in Zach Edey, Edey has been the most dominant player in the tournament. Edey has averaged 28 PPG, 15.4 RPG, 1.8 BPG so far in the tournament, which is an increase from the regular season. His 40-point, 16-rebound elite 8 game vs Tennessee was an absolute gem and his best game in the tournament. His supporting cast has elevated their play as well, Fletcher Loyer has Scored in double digits the last 4 games and has shot over 50% from beyond the arc and Trey Kaufman-Ren has had key moments in the paint in the tournament. As a team Purdue has shot just under 40% from beyond the arc at 38%, if they are going to keep up with UConn tonight, they are going to shoot it over 40%, look for Lance Jones, Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, and Big Ten 6^th man of the year Mason Gillis to complete this task off Edey. UConn has been the most dominant team in the tournament. Last season they had a point differential of +120 in 6 games, so far in just 5 games they are at +125 and have beaten every opponent by 14 or more, that is better than last season’s national championship team. If Zach Edey is the best big man in college basketball, then Donovan Clingan is right behind him. Clingan has averaged 16.2 PPG, 9 RPG, and 3.6 BPG so far in the tournament. His defensive presence in the paint has certainly been felt in this tournament and it has contributed to the stifling team defense of UConn as the Huskies have held all teams to under 35% shooting from the field at 34.9%. UConn particularly isn’t the greatest at shooting from beyond the Arc, but they barely give up second chance opportunities and they are probably the best team at getting out in the open court and getting whatever they want. Defensively is where both teams have a shot to make this a special Championship game, as Purdue plays excellent defense without fouling and UConn suffocates you on the perimeter.

Key Matchup: Zach Edey vs Donavan Clingan

The two bigs will be the key matchup tonight, has Zach Edey met his match? Both are certainly talented and will probably have their names called in the upcoming Draft. It’s the immovable force in Clingan vs the unstoppable object in Edey. Who will budge. I guess we will find out tonight.

X-Factor Purdue: Fletcher Loyer

Fletcher Loyer has been a flamethrower for Purdue during the tournament. Shooting 50% from beyond the Arc, he cannot be left open on the perimeter. I expect UConn to blanket him most of the game making it difficult for him to get clean shots off. UConn will not double team Edey for majority of the game, so that will make it harder on the supporting cast around him.

X-Factor UConn: Stephon Castle

The freshman played like a grown man in their final four matchup vs Alabama with his team leading 21 points. He was doing it all in transition, on back door cuts, from the perimeter, Stephon Castle looked like a lottery pick in this upcoming draft. At 6’6, 215 Stephon Castle can be a load to handle, especially for the smaller Purdue guards when he gets it going. Expect him to put his final stamp on his freshman season with a similar performance from the final four.

Prediction: UConn over Purdue

UConn has been the best team in the nation since the middle of last season for a reason, they get after it defensively, they get out in transition, and their big guards cause a plethora of issues for teams. Dan Hurley is asserting himself as one of the best coaches in the nation and this UConn team will be the first repeat champion in Men’s college basketball since the 2007 Florida Gators. In this matchup not being able to double team Zach Edey and match him up with Donovan Clingan is key. The size and physicality of UConn’s guards on the inferior guards of Purdue will take its toll as the game progresses and those open looks off the Edey double will not be there tonight. This will be the third Big Ten team UConn will face in the tournament and the best of all of them, but that won’t matter as this UConn team is one of the most dominant teams that we have seen in the last 20 seasons.