The college basketball season is finally coming to a close, and, what a ride, folks.
There has been no shortage of excitement or drama and it’s only fitting that a completely unexpected match-up in the national championship wraps it up.
Monday night’s game between UConn and Kentucky is historical. Check out what the numbers tell us on what we can expect.
It’s difficult to determine who will win this shocking national championship. Something has to give. A streak will be stopped and another honor will be stamped on someone’s resume.
Will UConn win their fourth title and join the bluebloods or will John Calipari prove that you can win a championship with all freshmen and come even closer to catching UCLA in national championships? The scoreboard will let us know Monday night.
Joshua Caudill is a writer for CraveOnline Sports, a surfing enthusiast, an unhealthy sports fanatic, and an expert on all things Patrick Swayze. You can follow him on Twitter @JoshuaCaudill85 or “like”CraveOnline Sports on Facebook
UConn Vs Kentucky Fun Facts
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UConn Vs Kentucky Fun Facts
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If Kentucky were to win on Monday night, they will tie 1985 Villanova as the lowest seed to ever win the national championship. Coincidentally, Villanova won the national championship in Kentucky's Rupp Arena.
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Kentucky and UConn combine for 11 national championships. Each school has won three titles since the 1996 season.
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UConn is the first 7 seed to ever play for the national championship
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UConn and Kentucky have the highest combined seed total to ever play for the national championship.
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UConn nor Kentucky won either conference regular-season or tournament titles. Arizona in 1997 was the last team to win the national championship without a conference title.
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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UConn Vs Kentucky Fun Facts
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This will be the fifth time in history that Kentucky and UConn have played each other. UConn holds the advantage 3-1 heading into Monday night.
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Kentucky's John Calipari has a 2-4 record against UConn that stems from his coaching days at UMass.
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This will be the third national championship appearance for John Calipari where he boasts a 1-1 record. There are only five coaches in the history of the game with more title game appearances.
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John Calipari is 18-2 in the NCAA tournament the past five years.
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
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UConn Vs Kentucky Fun Facts
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Kentucky has won their last 11 NCAA tournament games. Their last loss was to UConn in the 2011 Final Four.
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UConn is 3-0 in national championship games.
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Kentucky is 8-3 in national championship games.
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Kentucky's last four games have been decided by a total of 11 points. For the entire tournament, they have only scored 18 more points than their opponents during the NCAA tournament.
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Only 5 total players remain from the Kentucky and UConn rosters that faced each other in the 2011 Final Four.
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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UConn Vs Kentucky Fun Facts
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No team has ever won a national championship with five freshmen starters.
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Kevin Ollie has reached the national championship in his first NCAA tournament appearance. The only other coach to ever accomplish that was Michigan's Steve Fisher.
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John Calipari coached Kevin Ollie while he was an assistant coach for the Philadelphia 76ers in 2000.
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Kentucky has 7 McDonald's All-Americans while UConn has zero.
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
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UConn Vs Kentucky Fun Facts
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The Huskies have not lost when the Deandre Daniels scores at least 18 points per CBS Sports.
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Kentucky is 2nd team ever to win 4 straight games in an NCAA Tournament after not leading at halftime in any (2012 Kansas).
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Two of UConn's national championships have come in the state of Texas. Kentucky's 1998 championship was also, in Texas.
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Both teams have three losses to a single opponent. Kentucky lost three times to Florida while UConn lost three times to Louisville.
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Kentucky has had four different players lead the Wildcats in scoring over their last four games.
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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UConn Vs Kentucky Fun Facts
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Kentucky's bigs have given the Wildcats a +44 advantage in rebounds during the NCAA tournament.
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Kentucky is the 1st team ever to win 4 straight games by 5 points or fewer in a single NCAA Tournament.
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UConn ranks 146th in rebounding and their leading rebounder is Shabazz Napier with 5.9 rpg. Kentucky is 5th in the nation in rebounding and is lead by Julius Randle with 10.5.
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Aaron Harrison is 3-for-3 on game-tying/go-ahead 3-pt FG in final 1:00 of 2nd half in NCAA Tournament. He had 0 such attempts in reg season per ESPN Stats and info.
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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