UConn vs San Diego State: 2023 NCAA Tournament game preview, TV schedule
UConn is just one game shy of winning its 5th national title championship, with the San Diego State Aztecs in the way. Who will win the 2023 NCAA Tournament?
TV schedule: Monday, April 3rd, 9:20 pm ET, CBS
Arena: NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas
They said that there weren’t any “great” teams in this year’s NCAA Tournament. But UConn (30-8) has a case to be made that they were that great team all along. They’re unbeaten against non-Big East teams this season, all by double-digits. That includes this recent run of five straight wins, beating Iona, Saint Mary’s, Arkansas, Gonzaga, and now Miami.
The final score was 72-59, with the Huskies leading by as many as 19 points. Adama Sanogo dominated his frontcourt matchup against Norchad Omier, scoring a game-high 21 points and 10 rebounds. Jordan Hawkins scored 13 points despite dealing with a stomach bug this week, while guards Andre Jackson and Tristen Newton combined for 13 points, 12 assists, and seven rebounds.
UConn has been dominating everyone but their final also has a formidable defense. San Diego State (32-6) defeated College of Charleston, Furman, Alabama, and Creighton to get to the Final Four but had its toughest game of the tournament against Florida Atlantic. The Aztecs were down by as much as 14 points in the second run, before they locked down and made it a 1-point game in the final minutes.
After getting a stop with six seconds to go, Lamont Butler made the game-winning buzzer-beater to send San Diego State to the finals, 72-71. He finished with nine points, while Matt Bradley led the team with 21. The Aztecs aren’t a team whose offense is super efficient but they have enough to win games and have already beaten a couple of high-powered opponents in Alabama and Creighton.
But UConn has proven to be a difficult opponent to deal with in all factions. They have the size, shooting, depth, and versatility that few can compete with. San Diego State has Nathan Mensah down low and the guard duo of Bradley and Darrion Trammell can compete on the perimeter.
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The Aztecs have proven themselves to be gritty and always find a way to win. But UConn is simply too much and barring a shocking drought should win its fifth national championship to tie the Duke Blue Devils for the all-time record.
Prediction: UConn 68, San Diego State 56