How UConn masterfully baited Purdue and Zach Edey into a math problem en route to its second national title

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Purdue star Zach Edey won the battle of the big men in Monday night’s national championship game, but UConn center Donovan Clingan and his Huskies ultimately won the war. The 2023 champs strategically picked apart the Boilermakers with a defensive game plan so sound it made Purdue abandon one of its most potent weapons, the 3-point shot, and in the process scored a 75-60 win inside State Farm Stadium to become the first repeat title winners since Florida in 2007.

UConn could have helped Clingan handle the Naismith Player of the Year in the post. Instead, it allowed Clingan and Samson Johnson to go head-to-head with the 7-4 giant. Purdue, which entered the game second in the country in shooting 40.6% from 3, finished 1-for-7 from beyond the arc on the day. UConn cut off the shot menu almost entirely by daring Edey and his team to feast on a heavy diet of mid-range jumpers and Edey hook shots in one-on-one situations.

Purdue’s seven 3-point attempts was the fewest by a team in the title game since UConn in 1999 and the fewest by any team in this year’s tournament. Its one made 3-point shot tied for the fewest in a national title game. 

“We didn’t want to give up 3s,” Huskies coach Dan Hurley said. “We didn’t care if Zach took 25, 28 shots to get 30, 35 points. This whole game plan was, like, no (Braden) Smith, no (Fletcher) Loyer, no (Mason) Gillis, no (Lance) Jones. Keep that collective group under 18, 20 points. They had no chance to win, no matter how well Zach played.”

It came down to a math problem for Purdue. It could shoot 40+ percent from the field — which it did — and still lose by 15 — again, which it did! — if UConn effectively wiped the 3-point shot from Purdue’s arsenal. Edey had 37 points and finished 15-of-25 shooting. But one made 3 from Purdue as a team put the Boilermakers in a position to try and play a losing numbers game. It engaged in that game and lost.

Take the first points of the game from Edey as an example. On its face, two points on a hook shot from Edey is Purdue’s bread and butter — and this is seemingly a win for the two-time player of the year. But check the strategy here: UConn doesn’t send help down to the post and lets Edey shoot inside the paint, opting instead to focus on remaining attached to the shooters surrounding the perimeter.

Tristen Newton, who was named the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player after…