1 takeaway from each team's Final Four performance
theScore runs down the top storylines and developments from the NCAA Tournament’s Final Four and what it all could mean moving forward.
Edey having all-time tourney run
It says a lot when Zach Edey’s 20-point, 12-rebound performance in the Final Four was statistically his worst showing in this year’s NCAA Tournament. The two-time reigning AP Player of the Year had a modest night by his standards but still managed to make more history, registering his sixth straight NCAA Tournament game with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds – the longest streak in the Big Dance since Houston’s Elvin Hayes accomplished the feat in 1967 and 1968, per ESPN Stats & Info. It was also the fifth consecutive contest in which he produced those numbers on 60% shooting. No other player has done that in NCAA Tournament history, according to statistician Jared Berson.
Edey also joined Jerry West and Hayes as the only players to tally a minimum of 140 points and 70 rebounds in one tournament, per CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander.
On Monday evening, Edey has a chance to spread the love and lift Purdue to its first national title in program history.
NC State runs out of gas
The first half of Saturday’s game against Purdue was promising for NC State – down just six points while forcing eight turnovers and holding Braden Smith scoreless. But in the second half, the Wolfpack looked like a team that was simply worn down after playing its tail off over an insane postseason run. NC State went just 8-of-28 from the field in the frame and hit only three shots outside of the paint while struggling to complete rotations on the defensive end.
Personnel was also an issue for the Wolfpack. Tournament star DJ Burns dealt with foul trouble, and steady point guard Michael O’Connell limped off the floor early in the first half and played limited minutes throughout the game. If Burns and O’Connell were at full capacity and the jumpers were falling, the outcome could have been very different. Reserve big man Ben Middlebrooks did an outstanding job on Edey, and the Wolfpack’s pressure made it hard for Purdue to get into its half-court sets. But tired legs lead to missed shots, and that was ultimately the name of the game for NC State.
Castle dazzles on big stage
Donovan Clingan and Tristen Newton have garnered most of the headlines during UConn’s tournament run. But on Saturday evening, it was Stephon Castle who took center stage and lifted the Huskies to a second straight national championship game appearance. The five-star freshman presented his case as one of this year’s top draft prospects, tallying 21 points, five boards, two assists, and one steal in 29 minutes to help UConn overcome a formidable challenge from Alabama.
Castle was making things happen all night on both ends of the floor. The 6-foot-6 guard got back-to-back baskets within the first two minutes of the contest, and his confidence didn’t waver for the remainder of the tilt. Castle attacked Grant Nelson on a switch and hit a floater over the 6-foot-11 forward; he bullied his way past Crimson Tide star Mark Sears on a post-up and also set up Clingan on a nifty dump-off pass after drawing the defense on a baseline drive. Castle’s willingness to do the dirty work was on display as well. He chased Sears around ball screens, got his hands in passing lanes, and skied for contested offensive rebounds. The 2024 draft class has a lot of questions, but Castle is slowly proving why he’s worthy of a high selection.
Alabama lives, dies by the 3
It was no secret that the Crimson Tide were going to need a masterful performance from beyond the arc to take down the mighty Huskies in upset fashion on Saturday. Ranking in the top 25 nationally in both 3-point percentage and 3-point rate, Alabama had the roster to pull it off, but UConn came in as a top defensive unit against the long ball all season.
Alabama was a ridiculous 8-of-11 from deep at the half but still trailed by four. As demoralizing as it seemed to be losing after that display, the Crimson Tide appeared to have cracked the code on how to get quality perimeter attempts against the stout Huskies defensive unit. And then, the well dried up down the stretch. The team went just 3-of-12 from the land beyond in the second frame as the game slowly faded into UConn’s now typical blowout territory. Alabama’s only hope to slay the giant was with 3-point daggers, but it came up short in the end.
