NCAA Tournament - UConn vs. San Diego State | National Championship Preview
Yahoo Sports college basketball writer Krysten Peek gives you her breakdown of the matchup in the National Championship Game between 5-seed San Diego State and 4-seed Connecticut.
Video Transcript
KRYSTEN PEEK: The National title game is set. And it's the San Diego State Aztecs from the Mountain West versus the UConn Huskies from the Big East. This is one of the most unlikely matchups for a final game of the tournament, with the number 5 seed SDSU from the South Region, and the number 4 seed UConn from the West region.
This is the first time the Aztecs have reached the National championship game in school history, and also the first time a Mountain West program is competing for a title. UConn is no stranger to the National championship game, making the trip five times. And this is the first time since 2014.
The Huskies have arguably been the most dominant team in the tournament, defeating each opponent by an average of 20 points. It's an inside presence of Adama Sanogo that has been the biggest factor in the Huskies success. And he'll have his hands full with San Diego State's Nathan Mensah who has been great at the rim, averaging nearly three blocks per game in the tournament.
The Aztecs are one of the best defensive teams in the country and will have their work cut out for them with the perimeter shooting of Jordan Hawkins who's averaging 39% from 3 on 7 attempts per game. SDSU guard Matt Bradley has started to play well, leading the Aztecs with 21 points and 6 rebounds in the Final Four game against FIU.
This is only the second time these two teams have ever faced one another. The first time in 2011 with UConn taking that win. It's an East Coast versus West Coast match-up with UConn, the heavy favorite heading into Monday night. This will be a defensive battle that will be a must-watch basketball. And anything can happen when the National championship is on the line.