Purdue vs. UConn: Predictions, picks, odds for 2024 national championship game
Will UConn go back-to-back, or is this finally the year for Purdue?
The Huskies and the Boilermakers will face off Monday night in the men's college basketball national championship game. UConn is looking to become the first team to win back-to-back titles since Florida did it in 2006 and 2007. Purdue is competing for its first national title since the tournament's inception in 1939.
This will be the Huskies' sixth appearance in the men's national title game, all of which have come since 1999. UConn has never lost in the national championship.
Purdue is playing for a national championship for the first time since 1969, the last time they appeared in the title game. They lost that one appearance to UCLA as the Bruins continued their college basketball dominance. The Boilermakers could become the second team in six years to lose to a No. 16 seed one year and win the national championship the next after Virginia in 2018 and 2019.
Here's what to know about the 2024 national championship game.
National championship: Alabama proved it's possible to hang with UConn. Could Purdue actually finish the Huskies?
Purdue vs. UConn predictions
Bleacher Report: UConn 84, Purdue 78
Andrew Peters writes, "The Boilermakers will obviously have a giant in the paint in Edey, but UConn has one on its side in Donovan Clingan. The senior center, who stands 7'2", is an elite rim protector, averaging 2.5 blocks per game this season. Edey has been dominant in the paint all tournament, but he hasn't seen a defender like Clingan yet."
The Sporting News: UConn 78, Purdue 71
Bill Bender writes, "For Purdue, it is about not letting UConn get on the game-changing runs that doomed Illinois and Alabama in the last two rounds. How will Edey alter the UConn offense? It might take the Huskies a little longer to settle in, but they will make the right adjustments at halftime."
The Athletic: Projected score model has UConn winning
Dan Santaromita writes, "Austin Mock’s projection model also has UConn as a 6.5-point favorite with an average projected score of 75.3-68.8. The Huskies won the national title in 70.7 percent of the simulations."
Donovan Clingan: Huskies' star center powering Connecticut as college basketball's 'most impactful player'
Purdue vs. UConn: Odds, spread and lines for March Madness
UConn are favorites to defeat Purdue in Monday's national championship game, according to the BetMGM college basketball odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering sports betting promos in 2024.
Odds as of Sunday.
Spread: UConn (-6.5)
Moneyline: UConn (-275); Purdue (+225)
Over/under: 146.5
How to watch Purdue vs. UConn: TV, streaming and schedule
Date: Monday, April 8
Time: 9:20 p.m. ET
Where: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Cable TV: TBS/TNT/truTV
Streaming: Paramount+; Hulu + Live TV; NCAA March Madness Live app; fuboTV
How to watch: Catch the men's national championship with a subscription to fuboTV
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Purdue vs. UConn: Predictions, picks, odds
