The number 1 overall seed UConn Huskies are facing off against the number 4 seed from the west region, Alabama Crimson Tide. The 35-3, reigning national champion, and Big-East regular season and conference tournament champion UConn Huskies have been dominant throughout the NCAA tournament, beating 16 seed Stetson by 39 points, 9 seed Northwestern by 17 points, 5 seed San Diego by 30 points, and 3 seed Illinois by 25 points. UConn’s dominance has not only been during the NCAA tournament, as they lead the nation in scoring margin, winning games by an average of 18 points per game. The Huskies roster is stacked as all five of their starters average double-digit points per game. UConn’s two leading scorers, Tristen Newton and Cam Spencer, were both All-Big East Conference first team honorees. Additionally, Tristen Newton was a Consensus First Team All-American. Along with having a star-filled starting five, the Huskies also have the Big-East Sixth Man of the Year, Hassan Diarra. The X-factor for the Huskies is 7’2” center Donovan Clingan. Clingan averages 12.9 points per game, 7.5 rebounds per game, 2.5 blocks per game, and has a 64.3 field goal percentage. When Clingan is playing well, UConn dominantes opponents. The 25-11 Alabama Crimson TIde have a stifling offense. The Crimson Tide have the number scoring offense in the country, as they average 90.6 points per game. In their route to the final four, the Crimson Tide beat 13 seed Charleston 109-96, 12 seed Grand Canyon 72-61, 1 seed North Carolina 89-87, and 6 seed Clemson 89-82. The Crimson are led by First-team All SEC honoree and Consensus Second Team All-American Mark Sears. Sears leads the Tide in scoring, as he averages 21.5 points per game, shooting 50.4% from the field and 43.4% from beyond the arc. The two X-factors for the Tide are Nick Pringle and Grant Nelson. Both Pringle and Nelson have been incredible during the tournament. In order for UConn to win, the Huskies have to stop the amazing Alabama offense, which would mean controlling the pace of the game. Alabama places at a very high pace, whereas, UConn places at a very slow pace, so if the game is played at a slower pace, UConn would be in good shape to win. The main key for Alabama to win would be to out rebound Alabama, which would mean stopping Donovan Clingan. Also, Alabama needs to shoot the three very efficiently.
Prediction: UConn wins 84-65