The two favorites in Saturday’s semifinals, UConn and Purdue, won to advance to Monday’s championship game and the Huskies are favored by 6.5 points on BetMGM.
The final between two No. 1 seeds will take place at 9:20 p.m. ET at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Both teams were heavily favored on Saturday. The Huskies were a 10.5-point favorite against Alabama and Purdue was a 9.5-point favorite against NC State.
Both teams also won by double digits and covered. The defending champion Huskies had to endure a hot shooting half from Alabama, which was 8-for-11 from 3-point range in the first half, but won 86-72. The game was tied 56-all with 12:44 remaining, but UConn scored the next eight points and Alabama got no closer than six the rest of the way.
All five UConn starters scored in double figures let by 21 points from Stephon Castle. Donovan Clingan had four blocks.
Purdue’s 63-50 win was even more comfortable. The Boilermakers led throughout after jumping ahead to a 9-2 early lead. Zach Edey had 20 points and 12 rebounds.
Now Edey and Clingan, arguably the two best players throughout this tournament and the favorites to win Most Outstanding Player, will meet in a marquee big man matchup. The 7-foot-4 Edey is averaging 28 points and 15.4 rebounds this NCAA Tournament. The 7-foot-2 Clingan is averaging 16.2 points, nine rebounds and 3.6 blocks per game in five tournament games.
The opening point total is 146.5, putting this game in the 70s for both teams.
Austin Mock’s projection model also has UConn as a 6.5-point favorite with an average projected score of 75.3-68.8. The Huskies won the national title in 70.7 percent of the simulations.
Purdue is seeking its first national title. This is the Boilermakers’ first title game appearance since 1969, when they lost to UCLA.
UConn is not only the defending champion, but is seeking its sixth national title. The last back-to-back national champion was Florida in 2006 and 2007.
(Photo of Donovan Clingan: Jamie Schwaberow / NCAA Photos via Getty Images)