UConn routs Purdue to win first back-to-back men’s NCAA basketball titles since 2007

Connecticut became the first Division I men’s college basketball team to win back-to-back championships since Florida 17 years ago, as the Huskies downed Purdue in the NCAA title game Monday.

Connecticut became the first Division I men’s college basketball team to win back-to-back championships since Florida 17 years ago, as the Huskies downed Purdue 75-60 in the NCAA title game Monday. “You can’t even wrap your mind around it because you just know how hard this tournament is,” UConn head coach Dan Hurley said after the game in Glendale, Arizona. “What a special group of people, a special coaching staff and incredible group of players. The best group of players you could possibly do it with and UConn. UConn’s a special place this time of year and they give us all the resources we need to do it like this in March and April.” The Huskies (37-3) have now won six national championships, third all-time in men’s NCAA Division I basketball. All six have come since 1999, more than any other men’s team in that span and second only during that time to the school’s women’s team (10). Four of UConn’s five starters finished with double-digit points. The Huskies were led by All-America guard Tristen Newton with 20 points and seven assists. Guard Stephon Castle had 15 points. Guard Cam Spencer and center Donovan Clingan each had 11 points. “Credit to my teammates and coaching staff for putting me in the right positions to make plays, score, get people involved and get the win tonight,” said Newton, who was selected as Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four. National player of the year Zach Edey scored 37 points and had 10 rebounds for Purdue, which finished the season 34-5.