NCAA Tournament Title Game Recap
Defense wins championships. Just ask the Connecticut Huskies.
UConn choked and stifled underdog Butler in a 53-41 win in the NCAA Tournament Championship Game on Monday night at Reliant Stadium in Houston to win its third national title.
The Huskies easily covered the spread, too. UConn cashed as 3-point favorites against Butler, while the game played well ‘under’ the closing 131.5-point total set by oddsmakers. Moneyline bettors took home a modest payday with the Huskies listed as -165 chalk.
Calhoun, Connecticut makes history
It was an impressive defensive performance for the ages on Monday night. The Huskies held the Bulldogs to a Tournament-final record 18.8% shooting (12 of 64), including an amazing 3 of 29 on two-point field goals.
Butler was a little more effective from downtown – it was 9 of 33 (27.3%) from beyond the arc – but it wasn’t enough to make up for its dismal play in the paint. UConn outscored Butler 26-2 in the paint on the night, as the Huskies blocked 10 shots.
Kemba Walker was named Final Four Most Outstanding Player after leading the Huskies with 16 points and nine rebounds on 5 of 19 from the floor, but Calhoun was the biggest winner on Monday night. With the victory, Calhoun became one of only five coaches to win the national title three or more times.
Jeremy Lamb added 12 points and seven boards for Connecticut, which finished only 19 of 55 from the field (34.5%) itself – including 1 of 11 (9.1%) from three-point range – but it didn’t matter with its defense clicking on such a high level.
Shelvin Mack led the Bulldogs with 13 points and nine rebounds, but like the rest of his teammates he was completely shut down by the Huskies. The junior guard didn’t make a two-point shot the entire night, as he was hounded incessantly by a UConn defense that doubled him off every screen.
At least Mack delivered for prop bettors. Mack was listed as a 5-point underdog in his ‘most points scored’ prop against Walker, but with the latter also having an off night he was able to help backers cash.
Bettors that played the ‘over’ on the 12.5-point number for largest lead took home a payday. Butler led 25-19 early in the second half, but a 13:26 stretch in which it only scored one basket saw Connecticut take a 41-28 lead.
The first score of the game was a two-point bucket (-350) by Huskies forward Tyler Olander, leaving bettors that took a three-pointer (+300) or a foul shot (+550) out in the cold.
It was a disappointing end to the college career of the Bulldogs’ Matt Howard, who had seven points and six rebounds on 1 of 13 shooting as Butler finished runner-up in the Big Dance for the second year in a row.
