'Clearly the best teams': Purdue basketball vs UConn scouting report ...

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Fletcher Loyer, Zach Edey on Purdue playing for NCAA championship

"This game is what we've been talking about all year."

Purdue basketball and Connecticut will meet in the national championship game Monday night in Glendale, Arizona. The Boilermakers (34-4) and Huskies (36-3) have been the favorites (along with Houston, which was eliminated in the Sweet 16) most of the season.

Purdue is coming off a 63-50 victory over N.C. State in a Final Four matchup Saturday night, while UConn defeated Alabama 86-72.

UConn is the favorite in the title game behind a stifling defense and five consistent offensive contributors. Purdue runs through national player of the year Zach Edey, getting help a supporting cast that is the nation's No. 2 3-point shooting team.

"Us and Purdue have been clearly the best teams in the country the past two years," UConn coach Dan Hurley told TBS after the game.

Big Maple vs. Cling Kong: How Zach Edey, Donovan Clingan match up in Final Four

Here's how the teams stack up.

(National ranking among 362 Div. I basketball teams)

Purdue key players

(averages in the NCAA Tournament through the Elite 8)

Zach Edey: 30 points, 16.3 rebounds, 1.8 blocked shots

Fletcher Loyer: 11.8 points, 3.0 assists, 46.2% 3-pointers

Braden Smith: 9.8 points, 38.9% 3-pointers, 9.5 assists, 6.0 rebounds, 1.0 steals

Lance Jones: 8.5 points, 36.8% 3s, 2.3 rebounds, 1.0 steals

Trey Kaufman-Renn: 9.3 points, 4.3 rebounds

Mason Gillis: 3.0 points, 40% 3s, 3.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists

UConn key players

(averages in the NCAA Tournament through the Elite 8)

Donovan Clingan: 15.8 points, 10 rebounds, 3.5 blocked shots, 1.5 steals

Cam Spencer: 13.8 points, 28.9% 3s, 6.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.0 steals

Tristen Newton: 13.8 points, 6.8 assists, 4.0 rebounds

Hassan Diarra: 7.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists

Purdue, UConn dominate their opponents

Purdue, UConn sharing the ball

Both teams are willing to pass to a more open teammate for a better shot.

Purdue, UConn are rebounding monsters

The Boilermakers, powered by Zach Edey, have a numerical advantage here, but the Huskies are no slouches.

Clingan has averaged 3.5 blocked shots per game in the tournament, and UConn averages 5.4 per game on the season (9th most). Edey doesn't blocked as many shots, though he affects opponents immensely. Purdue averages 3.7 blocked shots per game (114th).

Purdue, UConn can score

Purdue has an advantage on the outside, but UConn does damage near the basket.

Purdue, UConn deny the opponent

Connecticut's defense is one of the nation's most stifling.

Getting to the line

Much is made of Purdue's ability to get to the free throw line.