Today, in Boston, in the Sweet 16 — after 360 days of waiting — the 26-10 San Diego State Aztecs will look to avenge their national championship loss in the form of a rematch against the 33-3 UConn Huskies. Last year’s matchup proved to be too much for SDSU. Despite being down only five with five minutes to go, they would eventually lose 76-59.
Seeking year-long goals of their own, the Huskies are out to become the first NCAAB repeat champions since the 2005-06, 2006-07 Florida Gators. Unlike the Gators, the Huskies do not have as much roster carryover. Jordan Hawkins, Adama Sanogo (the tournament’s MOP), and Andre Jackson Jr. have all departed for the NBA.
While the teams today in Boston will be the same, their makeups compared to last year are vastly different. Whether or not the results will be different begs another question.
Sweet 16 Preview: Huskies-Aztecs Rematch
As mentioned above, the Huskies lost three starters from their championship team. Likewise, the Aztecs also lost three starters from last year’s runner-ups: Keshad Johnson, Matt Bradley, and Nathan Mensah. However, both teams have emerged anew with the help of transcendent big men who were both bench players last year.
Both teams have also gotten plenty of help from those two starters who did stick around. Darrion Trammell, and LaMont Butler, for SDSU and Tristen Newton, and Alex Karaban on the UConn side.
For SDSU, their biggest help came from a bit of an unexpected place. Jaedon LeDee. A fifth-year player, on his third school, who had never averaged more than 7.9 points per game in a season, no one could have foreseen what would come of him this year.
A 2023-24 AP Third-Team All-American, LeDee has averaged 21.5 points per game and 8.4 rebounds thus far this season. Somewhat invisible last year in Houston to the tune of 7 points and 4 rebounds, LeDee must elevate his game if he wants to see his team go to the Elite 8 two years in a row for the first time in school history.
There will be a mountain of a team and a mountain of a man standing in his way.
That mountain being 7’2″ sophomore Donovan Clingan, who by all measures will be a top-10 pick in the upcoming NBA draft. Clingan has been hitting his stride just at the right time. One doesn’t have to go back too far to notice this. In his previous game in the 2nd round against Northwestern, Clingan dominated on both ends: 14 points, 14 rebounds, and 8 blocks. The Connecticut native seeks to go 2-for-2 in the championship department before bowing out to greater heights.
Outlook for the Game
The matchup between Clingan and LeDee will likely determine the outcome of the game. If LeDee can get going and going early — and potentially get Clingan in foul trouble along the way — the Huskies could be in for a long day.
Yet, all the same, it is a team game. The Huskies have the upper hand when it comes to guard play. Newton is a first-team All-American averaging 15.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 6.2 assists. Alex Karaban and Cam Spencer are projected 2nd-round NBA draft picks both averaging over 13.7 points per game. For all that UConn lost, it is astounding how much they have rebuilt.
Their depth and talent may just prove to be too much. But, there is something to be said about experience, and the Aztecs certainly have that.
Coach Brian Dutcher and his Aztecs are remaining optimistic, locating silver linings wherever they can and may be. Playing in the TD Garden, likely in a hostile crowd in what Coach Dan Hurley anticipates will be “Storrs North”, has given them a unique perspective.
“Good news is, we’re not playing the Celtics,” Dutcher quipped. “Bad news is, we’re playing UConn.”
At 7:39 P.M. E.T., their Sweet 16 matchup and long-awaited national championship rematch will at last commence. For what it’s worth: my heart is with the Aztecs, but my money is on the Huskies.
Happy Madness.
