Jay Bilas identifies how UConn can defend Purdue, Zach Edey in national championship game

Monday’s national championship game between UConn and Purdue will feature two 7-footers in Donovan Clingan and Zach Edey.

Rebounding margins could play a major role in the game’s final outcome — especially on the offensive glass. Both teams rank in the top five in total rebounding averages this season, but Purdue claims the advantage on their end of the court. ESPN analyst Jay Bilas explained what the Huskies are going to have to do to keep Edey from cashing in on second-chance opportunities.

“UConn has got to rebound the ball, and that goes to their guards,” Bilas said during an appearance on SportsCenter on Sunday. “Like, UConn’s best rebounders, aside from Clingan, their guards Tristen Newton and Cam Spencer, they do a great job of rebounding. I think they’re going to have to get in there and grab rebounds in order to keep Purdue from getting offensive rebounds, which they’re very, very good at. Especially Zack Edey, he grabs almost five offensive rebounds per game.”

Given Edey’s rebounding prowess, the ball finds itself in the 7-foot-4 big man’s hands more often than not. Whether it’s off a rebound on either side of the court or a pass down low, the defense can’t help but be aggressive and attack Edey from making a play. For that, he’s been to the free throw line 426 times (11.2 attempts per game) this season — 117 more than the second-highest attempts this season.

“For Clingan, he’s going to have to deny Zach Edey the position that he wants,” Bilas continued. “Try to force him a little further out on his catches so he’s not catching with two feet in the paint, not catching it in a position that’s within six feet five feet of the basket because he’s going to score there. And [Clingan] has just got to make [Edey] score over the top without fouling him.”

Overall, Purdue is averaging 40.8 rebounds per game while UConn sits close behind them with 39.0. However, the Boilermakers out-rebound their opposition by 11 per game compared to UConn’s 8. Another concerning issue for the Huskies based on Purdue’s rebounding prowess on both sides of the court is they are also conceding 30.2 rebounds per game — something Purdue could exploit on Monday night.

Both teams have torn through its competition this postseason, winning by a combined 223 points across all NCAA Tournament games both teams have played in. That’s good for the most dominating combined point differential between the two teams meeting in the national championship game in NCAA Tournament history.

With UConn mowing down team after team and winning all of its tournament games by at least 13 points over the past two years — there’s a reason why they’re 6.5-point betting favorites (-275) with just over 24 hours remaining until opening tip. For Purdue, the Boilermakers have posted double-digit wins over in four of its five NCAA Tournament games so far as they beat Tennessee 72-66 in the Elite 8.

Both squads ended up easily defeating their Final Four opponents, winning by 13 and 14 points, respectively. Now, they meet in a clash of college basketball’s most dominant teams in season for a national championship.

Tip-off is scheduled for Monday night at 9:20 p.m. ET and will air live on TBS. The point spread for the national championship game is set at 145.5 points