On Monday, April 8, 2024, the UConn Huskies won their second straight NCAA Championship, defeating the Purdue Boilermakers 75-60 in convincing fashion.
The Final Four of March Madness this year was set back on Monday, April 1, after the Elite Eight round wrapped up. UConn, Purdue, NC State, and Alabama punched their ticket to Glendale, Arizona, setting up an electric final weekend of games.
On Saturday, April 6, Purdue beat NC State 63-50, with star Center Zach Edey putting up a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds, ending NC State’s magical run through March as an 11 seed. UConn handled Alabama 86-72, with Forward Grant Nelson from Alabama putting up 19 points and 15 rebounds. All 5 of UConn’s starters dropped at least 12 points, with Stephon Castle putting up 21. The two 1-seeds (Purdue and UConn) are now set for a showstopping finale.
Following 2023’s UConn run to the throne, they appeared to be the most well-rounded team and most balance offense in the tournament, but we were waiting for them to prove it. Once they beat every single team by double digits for the second year in a row, it was clear that the Huskies were not going to be stopped. The only thing standing in their way was Zach Edey and Purdue.
On Monday, April 8, UConn defended their title, defeating Purdue 75-60, despite Edey’s 37 points and 10 rebounds. UConn had 4/5 starters score double digits and held three of Purdue’s starters to below 6 points each. A picturesque run for the Huskies, once again.
In the women’s tournament, star studded South Carolina handled NC State 78-59, leaving them with one more game to complete their perfect season. In the much-anticipated Paige Bueckers’s UConn versus Caitlin Clark’s Iowa matchup, the game came down to the wire, with a controversial last-second offensive foul call on UConn sealing the 71-69 Iowa victory.
Millions tuned in to see if Caitlin Clark could complete her historic run and take down the goliath of South Carolina, coached by veteran Dawn Staley. After a first half that ended at a 49-46 score in favor of South Carolina, it was clear we were getting a finale for the ages. However, South Carolina was able to contain Clark and her teammates, and snatch another championship and a perfect season by a final score of 87-75.
Another year of March Madness has wrapped, and many are reflecting on the Men’s Tournament being lackluster compared to last year’s buzzer beater and upset-heavy lineup, while the Women’s is being praised for elevating the platform to never-before-seen heights. All-in-all, it’s clear that basketball is in good hands for the coming years, and we’re excited to be right back here next year.