NBA DRAFT WATCH: CBB 'NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP' PREVIEW (MON.04.03.23)

 

Adama Sanogo (UConn) and Matt Bradley (San Diego State) are the leading scorers for the two teams playing in the National Championship
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

March Madness is nearing its end as the calendar has now arrived in April and the National Championship will be played this evening. Throughout the past month various players had memorable performances, teams had triumphs, with unforgettable upsets, as each made a run towards the title. Tonight two teams will take the court in front of 70,000-plus fans at NRG Stadium in Houston, while one will walk off the court cutting down the nets and crowned champions of college basketball for the 2022-2023 campaign. Before the ball is tipped off, Matt's Draft Journal breakdowns both Connecticut (UConn) and San Diego State to set the stage for this college basketball season's finale, as the world will soon find out who will have their "One Shining Moment." 

#4 UCONN VS #5 SAN DIEGO STATE (9:20, CBS)

Seeking to win their 5th National Championship in program history, Connecticut has been dominant throughout the entirety of their tournament run. Through 5 games the Huskies have won by an average of 20.6 points, including their most recent 72-59 victory verse Miami in the Final Four, where they led by as many as 20 points in the second half. 

Buoyed by a balanced starting lineup and quality depth UConn can count on contributions from anyone they put on the floor. An Honorable Mention All-American, Adama Sanogo significance as a stable, solid scoring presence and reliable rebounder has been as important as any individual player during the tournament. During the Huskies 5 games in the tournament, Sanogo is averaging 20.2 points and 9.8 rebounds, while shooting 68.2% from the field. He put up 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks, shooting 9/11 from the field, including 2/3 from 3, in the win against Miami, boding well for his NBA Draft stock as he showcased his increased shooting range. 

Projected as a probable first round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Andrew Hawkins has only increased discussions surrounding his draft status with his performance during the tournament. Shooting 19/38 (50%) beyond the arc, while averaging 16.4 points, he's put a stamp on what was already considered a significant strength with his superb 3-point shooting. 

Andre Jackson is another player who has garnered the attention of analysts and scouts as he showcases his next-level ability. A prominent playmaker and as explosive an athlete you'll see in college basketball, Jackson is averaging 7.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists, and 1.2 steals, shooting 51.5% from the field during the UConn's tournament run, while usually delivering one eye-opening highlight dunk each game.

Not to be forgotten in the first five for the Huskies are senior guard Tristen Newton and freshman forward Alex Karaban. Sharing the ball-handling duties with Jackson, Newton has been a fine facilitator, capable of contributing in various aspects, averaging 7.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 5.8 assists, while shooting 40% on 3's during the tournament. Karaban has been consistent as a complimentary piece who helps space the floor and allow Sanogo room to operate around the rim. In the 5-game stretch for the Huskies as they've reached the title game, he's averaged 8.0 points, shooting 50% from the field and 36.8% from deep. Karaban also contributes in the rebounding effort, securing a season-high of 9 during their most recent win over Miami.

No larger presence off the bench, 7'2 freshman big man Donovan Clingan has controlled the paint for UConn during his time on the floor in the Big Dance. Clingan is averaging 6.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks in 13.0 minutes, while shooting a highly efficient 70% from the field in the 5 games, as chatter considering his NBA potential starts to surface. 

In addition to Clingan, the Huskies have received good minutes from their guards off the bench as well. Naheim Alleyne adds a capable scorer, putting up at least 8 points in 4 of the 5 games. Joey Calcaterra continues to be a more than capable catch and shoot specialist, shooting 41.2% on 3's during the Big Dance. Meanwhile, Hassan Diarra has been a disciplined distributor with a 7 to 2 assist/turnover ratio. 

Having the opportunity to take down the Huskies, San Diego State steps into the National Championship arriving as a result of guard Lamont Butler's buzzer-beating pull-up jumper to give them the 72-71 win over Florida Atlantic. Sporting a strong defense, the Aztecs have allowed an average of 60.0 points to opponents during their 5-game run to tonight's championship matchup.

San Diego State sports an accountable, experienced group, throughout their entire rotation, relying on the efforts from their starting five and also that of their bench to sustain a similar high-level of play. Their backcourt of Darion Tramell, Lamont Butler, and Matt Bradley have come up big in different instances during March Madness, while their front court of big man Nathan Mensah and forward Keshad Johnson being formidable during the tournament. Certainly not to be overlooked Aguek Arop, Jaedon Ledee, Micah Parrish, and Adam Seiko add value with their roles in the regular rotation.

Advancing the Aztecs to the championship with one of the biggest shots in the history of March Madness, Butler has been poised in his play all tournament — averaging 10.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.2 steals, shooting a solid 51.3% from the field. Prior to Butler, Tramell took his turn at being the hero, as his free throw with 1.2 seconds left against Creighton gave the Aztecs the 57-56 win — allowing them to advance to the Final Four. In the game prior to that against Alabama, he scored a game-high 21 points to help provide the upset against the #1 seed, 71-64. 

Struggling to score in the two games prior, when he shot a combined 3/17 for a total of 8 points, Matt Bradley stepped up in a big way for San Diego State against Florida Atlantic, scoring a team-high 21 points. The Aztecs leading scorer, the lefty showcased his ability to bully his way to the basket, get to free throw line, and shoot the ball from the perimeter (4/8 3-point, 7/9 free throws).

Featured in the frontcourt 2-time Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year Nathan Mensah has manned the middle of the Aztec defense, averaging 2.6 blocks during their tournament run. His impact and role will likely be key in them trying to limit Sanogo and Clingan, should San Diego State come away with the win. 

Keyshad Johnson is a fly-under-the-radar style of forward, having at least 5 rebounds in each of the last 3 games — including corralling 5 offensive rebounds in their upset over Alabama. It would serve immense should he secure multiple second chance opportunities tonight for the Aztecs. 

Supplying San Diego State with support off the bench is a forward with finesse and physicality, as Jaedon Ledee has a knack for scoring around the paint. Ledee put up 12 points twice during the tournament and is a reliable rebounder (6 in each of last three games). Lefty wing Micah Parrish also provides added scoring and a rebounding presence, rendering  7.6 points and 5.4 rebounds during the Aztecs 5-game tourney surge to tonight's championship appearance. 

Graduate seniors Adam Seiko and Aguek Arop have been at the backbone of success San Diego State has experienced. A guard, Seiko has been scoreless the last 2 games, yet remains a capable shooter at 41.6% on 3's. Arop is an active, tough interior player who plays taller than his listed 6'7 height. He scored his tournament-high of 9 points in the 72-71 win of the Final Four semifinals against Florida Atlantic.