GLENDALE, AZ — All season long Donovan Clingan and the UConn Huskies have had one singular goal. The reigning national champions have thrown all individual goals to the side for a chance to make history and become the first back-to-back national champions in nearly 20 years.
On Saturday night, that goal was pushed one step closer as the Huskies defeated Alabama, 86-72, in the Final Four for a chance to play Purdue in the NCAA Men’s National Championship.
Clingan and Stephon Castle led the Huskies to success as the Bristol native finished with 18 points, five rebounds and four blocks and Castle led the team in scoring, tying his career-high with 21 points.
Clingan said while their celebration for advancing is worth appreciating and reflecting on, their mind will switch to how to defeat and defend Purdue once they get on the bus and leave the stadium.
“Everyone came to UConn to try to be a part of history,” Clingan said. “We’re one step closer to our goal. But none of us in this locker room are satisfied. We know we have a lot of work to do, a big matchup on Monday.”
In order for the Huskies to achieve their ultimate goal they will have to continue to find ways to win much like they did against Alabama. The Crimson Tide came out shooting lights out and shot well over 70 percent from behind the perimeter in the first half.
The perimeter shooting became a problem for UConn as Alabama was able to keep up and even take the lead for a bit. Clingan said in the second half their game plan was to run them off the three-point line and draw them to the center.
“They shoot the heck out of the three-point ball and they’re very, very well coached. That’s a very good win and a very good Alabama team,” Clingan said. “Even though they were making a lot of shots we never broke down and never hung our heads we just kept attacking…in the second half we realized what we had to do to gain a little bit more of a lead and that was try to run them off the three point line…I was telling everyone try to force them into me and I’ll protect the rim.”
The success of the Huskies didn’t just come down to the dominant performance of Clingan. Five Huskies ended with double figures and Samson Johnson also tacked on seven points. In fact, before any of the Huskies were able to find a rhythm, Castle quickly established himself as an offensive threat.
Castle said he noticed early in the game that Alabama was not defending him and leaving his man in the paint. He said it was a disrespectful move and one he looked to take advantage of.
“I wouldn’t say it was motivation. I would just say it was kind of disrespectful on their end just to guard that far back,” Castle said. “I took advantage of it early. I saw the ball go in early. I thought it started a great night for me.”
Clingan followed up by saying Castle’s performance was “not surprising.”
“He’s not like any other freshman. He’s out there to do whatever his team needs for him to do to win,” Clingan said. “He’s one of the best on-ball defenders that you’ll see. He puts a lot of work in. He’s the most unselfish player on this team.”
Clingan on the other hand has often been referred to by his teammates, coaches and by the media this season as the most impactful player in college basketball. Well on Monday night, the Huskies will face the two-time AP National Player of the Year in Purdue’s Zach Edey.
It will also be the first time Clingan will have to go up against a player taller than he is as the 7’4 Edey holds nearly two inches on the Huskies center.
Edey led Purdue to a 63-50 victory over NC State in the Final Four to advance to the national championship. Edey finished with a team-high 20 points and 12 rebounds. He also tacked on five assists.
Clingan gave high praise to Edey and said that he is highly anticipating the battle between the two.
“I’m real excited,” Clingan said. “You play at this level to play big-time matchups, big-time games. I have a lot of respect for Zach Edey. He’s a great player. Me and my team are going to get ready to battle and give everything we got on Monday.”
