As expected this edition of the freight train Connecticut Huskies was just too much for the Purdue Boilermakers, just as it has been for all comers the entire season. Too much balance, too much firepower and too much defense. Purdue’s Zach Edey was tremendous as usual pouring in 37 points to go along with 10 rebounds, facing mostly man up coverage by Donovan Clingan, but his cohorts were invisible. Purdue’s shooters were a miserable 1-7 from three point land and were constantly harassed by a contingent of rangy, athletic defenders that suffocated them from the jump. Coach Dan Hurley’s defensive strategy was a masterpiece. He conceded Edey’s points inside in exchange for blanketing Purdue’s sharpshooters Smith, Jones and Loyer which took away Purdue’s bread and butter. All season long teams mistakenly doubled Edey at every touch which allowed the Boilers to take wide open shooting practice from deep. Well not today. On the other end, as has been coach Dan Hurley’s mantra all season, he trusted the offense to tournament MVP Tristen Newton who came through again, just as he did during last seasons Championship game, scoring 20 points to go with 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Newton runs the offense like a clinic as he never seems to be in a hurry and almost always finds the open man, often deep into the clock. The Huskies can score from all 5 positions which makes them nearly impossible to guard and the Boilermakers simply had no answer. Between the machine like offense and the outstanding defense this Huskie squad just has a way of grinding teams down over 40 minutes. As the game wore on the Purdue players grew visibly frustrated as if they knew the ultimate outcome was already decided. Hats off to Coach Hurley and this team of talented and unselfish Huskies who have now put themselves in position to capture a third straight championship next season.
