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Reflecting on the tournament, UConn far exceeded my expectations. I had them losing in the Elite Eight, but little did I know that they would not only win it all,

The back-to-back national player of the year couldn't will the Boilermakers past UConn. But he did everything else in his career.

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Dan Hurley entered rare air on Monday night, becoming just the third men’s college basketball coach to repeat as a national champion since the end of John Wooden’s UCLA dynasty in the 1970s. And when it was over — a 75-60 victory over Purdue marking Connecticut’s 12th consecutive NCAA Tournament win by double digits — Hurley found himself in another very small club: coaches who’ve won it all and immediately had to address the possibility of leaving for another program. Such is life when you’re the hottest coach in the sport and the Kentucky job unexpectedly be...

GLENDALE, Ariz. — During a quiet beat in the national anthem before Purdue played at Illinois on March 5, someone in the crowd screamed loud enough for everyone else to hear: “F— Zach Edey!” Boilermakers assistant Brandon Brantley and director of operations Elliot Bloom looked at each other and mouthed, “Thank you.” They knew what was coming. A poked bear proceeded to maul the Illini: 28 points, eight boards, three assists, two blocks and a steal in a 77-71 road win over the second-best team in the Big Ten.“When he was younger, I’d tell him, ‘Oh, that big guy, he’s my favor...

I picked the Huskies to repeat at the outset of the NCAA Tournament. I would be willing to switch it up if I had evidence to suggest I should … but I don’t. In fact, the backcourt play — particularly on the defensive end — makes me wonder if this will be close. We’ve all seen Final Four games tilted by an early foul call or two on big men. We know that’s probably fatal for Purdue and certainly problematic for UConn, should it happen Monday. But Tristen Newton and Stephon Castle have locked down better guards and wings than Purdue can offer. UConn has size and depth and multiple pat...