Alright, last game of the year.
I know, I know.
A lot of Calipari talk, but yes, a still title game blog will be happening.
It’s the matchup most people wanted to see.
The storylines are easy and plenty, we know all about Edey vs Clingan and UConn going back-to-back.
Either way, I just want a good game.
I need a good game.
Last year’s title game stunk, it happens.
We can’t have two in a row.
Braden Smith is good and Braden Smith stunk in the Final Four.
Stephon Castle (UConn) -Alabama dared Castle to beat them and he did.
They started the game basically playing 5v4.
They barely put a guy on Castle, he hit a couple shots and got UConn going early.
If he hits 1 or 2 threes early, he’s a completely different player.
It also helps that he’s, you know, a lottery pick.
You have a talent like that and he can win you a title.
Storylines, Previews, Breakdowns
1.
I don’t know if that can happen tonight if the game is close.
You don’t need to send a double.
you could let Clingan protect the rim and match Edey with the size.
Obviously the question is can Clingan do it for 30+ minutes?
He’s played at least 30 minutes just 3 times this season.
Guards vs guards -While everyone will talk about Clingan vs Edey, how does Purdue handle the UConn guards.
UConn has the size advantage with Lance Jones probably having to take Castle.
Either way Newton/Castle could have 4 inches or so on the guy guarding them.
What I assume Hurley will do is just use a million screens, both on and off ball.
They’ll make a run at confuse Purdue and then exploit whatever mismatch they see.
It’s where Hurley is a fucking monster at when it comes to scheme.
They finally did against Alabama, but that’s also Alabama’s defense.
I know the ball is a problem and water always finds its level.
Gotta get close to that and just let everything else go the way it is.
Purdue’s 4 spot -I’m fascinated by what the hell Painter does here.
He went to a 6-man rotation in the 2nd half against NC State just bringing in Mason Gillis.
He’ll fire off the 3 guard and Edey into the ground.
But there’s a big difference in TKR vs Gillis.
You add shooting with Gillis.
You add the experience.
But the Big 10 drought can finally end here.
It’s been 25 years and they’ve had plenty of teams in the title game.
On the flip side, we could see just a dominant 2-year run.
Until Saturday they had a 30-point lead in every NCAA Tournament game.
It’s what it should be.
Picks
All odds via DraftKings
I’m basically only rooting for a close game here.
I know UConn is fucking awesome and there are ways to look at this.
I don’t want to pick against them, mostly because all they do is cover.
But everyone feels like they are just handing UConn the trophy.
Honestly we need a clean game.
Get the refs out of the way and let us just watch these guys play basketball.
I can’t do one last ref talk on the biggest stage.
UConn to win by 6-10 +330
UConn -3.5 1st half
Over 144.5
