By EDDIE PELLS (AP National Writer)
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The Final Four this week marks the end of college basketball's heartwarming yearbook, with its annual assortment of legendary underdogs, coaches seeking affection, and magic permeating every part of the bracket.
The only issue with the 2024 version: UConn doesn't believe in magic.
The closest thing to halting the Huskies on their path to a second consecutive championship has been a troublesome airplane. Coach Dan Hurley and his players, who have won their four tournament games by an average of 27.8 points, finally arrived in Phoenix at 3:15 a.m. Thursday after a harrowing mix of mechanical problems and adverse weather delayed them for hours.
UConn is up against nothing but heartwarming stories.
—Purdue, with 7-foot-4 Zach Edey, returns to the Final Four for the first time since 1980, aiming to win a championship after being eliminated in the first round as a No. 1 seed last season.
—Alabama, UConn's opponent on Saturday, reaches its first Final Four after a complete overhaul of a roster that was expected to make a deep run last season, but then lost nine players to the professional leagues, the transfer portal, and graduation.
—Then there's North Carolina State. The Wolfpack is back in a revival of the 1983 team, although this year’s mascot is 6-foot-9, 275-pound DJ Burns Jr., the smiling center with potential in both the NFL and the NBA.
"We anticipated being here, even if others don't believe it," coach Kevin Keatts declared. "But as a team, we don't see it as a fluke."
The Wolfpack replicated the '83 team, facing a series of crucial games in the ACC Tournament just to qualify for the NCAAs. The '83 team might have been the first to be labeled 'Cinderella' during March Madness, but it's not the only team to have ridden momentum and dreams to a surprising championship.
Some argue that Alabama fits the same profile. Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats had only three players returning from last year's top-seeded team, which exited in the Sweet 16.
"We turned to the transfer portal," Oats explained.
In came Grant Nelson (from North Dakota State), Latrell Wrightsell Jr. (from Cal State Fullerton), and Aaron Estrada (from Hofstra, via Oregon and St. Peter’s). By March, Alabama was coming together, taking a football school to new heights in basketball.
Purdue has the reigning Player of the Year in Edey, but a year ago, that couldn't prevent the Boilermakers from being the second No. 1 seed to exit in the first round, like the 2018 Virginia team. Many teams might have rebuilt, but Purdue largely chose to stay the same.
"I've always delved into our strategies and sought to make improvements," coach Matt Painter stated. "When you lose in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to a 16 seed, it doesn't change anything."
Even though all these stories are great, the harsh truth is that nothing else has been able to significantly affect UConn this year except for the airplane. The Huskies have a 35-3 record. They have won their last 10 tournament games by 13 points or more, dating back to last season. They have had a lead of at least 30 points in all four March Madness games this year.
Despite the short amount of rest they will get, they are an 11 1/2-point favorite against the Crimson Tide on Saturday and are heavily favored (minus-185) to win the whole thing.
Hurley has been quite straightforward in admitting that if his team performs as expected, it will be difficult for other teams to beat the Huskies.
Moreover, he mentioned before last week's 25-point victory over Illinois, "we are not good at winning close games, so you have to try something else."
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AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness
