By SAM LANCE
GLENDALE, Ariz — The standard at UConn has become rather monumental under head coach Dan Hurley. Win a national championship, or bust. Sophomore center Donovan Clingan, the Huskies sophomore forward who won a national championship last season, reflects this.
It doesn’t matter UConn won it all last year. The Huskies, and Clingan, are after history. The first back-to-back titles since Florida in 2006-07 and the ninth ever repeat in college basketball lore.
“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.”
Monday’s matchup between Clingan and two-time National Player of the Year Zach Edey will be the first national championship game featuring two players over 7-foot-2. The title game battle is one of the most anticipated matchups between opposing players in recent memory.
“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.”
Clingan has led the Huskies in both points and rebounds per game during March Madness with averages of 16.2 points and 9.0 rebounds. He scored 18 points and grabbed five rebounds in UConn’s 86-72 win over Alabama to advance to the national title game on Monday. The 7-foot-2 big man is projected the No. 5 overall pick in CBS’ latest 2024 NBA mock draft.
No. 1 UConn will play No. 1 Purdue at 9:20 p.m. ET on Monday.
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