UConn’s Donovan Clingan Keys Final Four Win vs. Alabama as CBB Fans Eye Edey Matchup
Jack MurrayApril 7, 2024
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
For the second consecutive season, the UConn Huskies are headed to the national championship.
Alabama hung with the Huskies for the majority of the game but were unable to top the defending champions
UConn Men’s Basketball @UConnMBB40 more minutes. #MixForSix | @keybank pic.twitter.com/vCYoIsdsH6
NCAA March Madness @MarchMadnessMBBBACK-TO-BACK TRIPS TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME FOR UCONN ‼️#MarchMadness @UConnMBB pic.twitter.com/zXqkj7WsZb
The Huskies entered halftime with a 44-40 lead and only built on it in the final half. Alabama was able to remain close during the early stages of the second half, but several strong runs sealed the victory for UConn
Every starter for UConn registered at least 12 points, The attack was led by Stephon Castle, who had 21 points. Donovan Clingan had 18, Alex Karaban and Cam Spencer had 14 each and Tristen Newton had 12. Mark Sears led Alabama with 24 points.
Clingan’s performance also included five rebounds, four blocks and one assist, and had several highlight plays.
CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 @CBSSportsCBBDonovan Clingan is DIFFERENT pic.twitter.com/IkiplMhPZK
NCAA March Madness @MarchMadnessMBBCLINGAN SENDS IT OFF THE BACKBOARD 🚫#MarchMadness @UConnMBB pic.twitter.com/ozunMHnjVW
Fans, including former Husky Andre Drummond, took to social media to praise Clingan and UConn for the strong performance.
Andre Drummond @AndreDrummondLet’s goooooo @UConnMBB !!!!!!!
Gabby Hurlbut @gabbyhurlbut10There’s no real way for an opposing team to prepare for Donovan Clingan. Just have to accept that he exists
House of College Hoops @CollegeHoopsHEUConn just doesn’t stop.
Every time you think “man, they might be in danger here”…they find a way to fight back.
Alabama goes on a 9-1 run, they counter with an 8-0 run to come right back. The Huskies just keep punching.
Code Name: Darkseid @TylersTake_UCONN showing championship materials now. #CBB
Jacob Lukach @boilerjake24It’s UConn vs Purdue.
Never a doubt. Bye bye NC St and Bama. Good try.
Robbie Johnson @rjohn390UConn just seems to have an answer for everything Bama throws at them. #marchmadness #finalfour
John Fanta @John_FantaNews: Donovan Clingan is ridiculous.
BIG EAST MBB @BIGEASTMBBClingan going to work on both ends 💪@clingan_donovan | @UConnMBB pic.twitter.com/KKtJX8BYQg
ben pfeifer @bjpf_clingan is such a good mover now, he’s improved so much over the last year
Matt Jones @KySportsRadioClingan is an absolute beast. I would bet on him being the most “sure thing” for the NBA of any college player
I haven’t seen the two French dudes in Australia
FanDuel @FanDuelDonovan Clingan tonight: pic.twitter.com/YHcFORw8L8
Storrs South @UConn6thBoroughDonovan Clingan pic.twitter.com/4gd4dJyjYE
John Fanta @John_FantaA slam, then an emphatic block, then an exclamation point hammer time for good measure.
Donovan. Clingan. Curtain call.
Fans also looked ahead to the national championship game and projected how exciting a Clingan-Zach Edey matchup will be.
Rodger Sherman @rodgerEdey-Clingan is going to destroy a major metropolitan area
Dan Gladman 🪬 @dgontheroadClingan vs. Edey. UConn vs. Purdue. Best vs. Best. The best way, #FinalFour
Zac Barnett @BrotherBarnettWell Clingan and Edey will be a hell of a matchup
Shaun Mullin @SweetnessWPClingan vs Edey is gonna be fuuuun.
Rohan Kamat @rohan_k101Clingan vs Edey, for all the marbles pic.twitter.com/j9OQShzbnE
Jackson Roberts @JrobertsTV_Donovan Clingan against Zach Edey.
This is gonna be fun. #FinalFour
Jeff Goodman @GoodmanHoopsUConn vs. Purdue.
Clingan vs. Edey.
Hurley and Painter.
It’s what we’ve wanted all season.
Monday night. 9:20 pm ET.
Jacob Karabatsos @jacobkarabatsosUConn vs. Purdue, the game that the college basketball world wants and needs, is finally happening. Clingan is the only big man in college who can hang with Edey one on one, both teams have exciting guards, and the story of redemption vs. domination. It doesn’t get any better.
Matt Price 💙 @MAPrice223BIG TEN vs BIG EAST! Edey vs Clingan! See ya Monday night. #NationalChampionship
Holden Walter-Warner @hwalterwarnerClingan v Edey. Get your 🍿 ready.
Jeff Borzello @jeffborzelloUConn. Purdue.
Clingan. Edey.
Does UConn go back-to-back or does Purdue pull a Virginia?
MONDAY NIGHT.
Kellen Voss @Kellen__VossEdey vs Clingan is going to be a LOT of fun in the paint Monday night.
Edey and the Purdue Boilermakers will be looking to earn the programs first national championship in its second-ever trip to the game. UConn, on the other hand, is in a very different situation.
NCAA March Madness @MarchMadnessMBBTHE #NATIONALCHAMPIONSHIP IS SET 🔥
WHO YA GOT? 🍿#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/TUCmCurk9w
UConn won the 2022-23 title and have five total national championships in program history. It has never lost in the round.
