The second half of the national title game turned into a highlight-reel dunk battle.
On one side, there was a putback finish by Purdue’s Camden Heide that shook State Farm Stadium.
Meanwhile, Samson Johnson of UW made consecutive lob dunks, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
Heide’s dunk was one of the standout moments of Monday’s national championship game (which Purdue ultimately lost 75-60), coming in the second half after Purdue star Zach Eady missed a hook shot. It happened a little over 3 minutes into the game.
Second chance shot. USA Today Sports
That’s when Heide came flying out of nowhere, grabbed the rebound and slammed it down, pulling Purdue within seven points of University.
Moments later, “Slamson” Johnson, who CBS play-by-play broadcaster Ian Eagle briefly referred to, made two powerful lob dunks for the Huskies.
On the first dunk, a lob pass went over Eadie’s head and reached Johnson in the air for a slam with 15:23 left.
In the second, Johnson handed the ball to Tristen Newton, cut right toward the rim for another lob pass, and put it into the bucket with authority.
“Special delivery to Johnson,” Eagle shouted on the broadcast.
It wasn’t just the dunk that grabbed viewers’ attention Monday night.
a A brief exchange between college coach Dan Hurley and Eadie The first half became a hot topic on social media.
Hurley didn’t like the screen Edie had set up, and during a timeout he said something to the officials as Edie walked by.
Purdue’s big man didn’t seem to like that comment and said something to Hurley.
Hurley then fired back by appearing to reply to Edie before continuing with the game.
UW’s second consecutive national championship on Monday made the Huskies the first college team to compete in March Madness again since Florida in 2006-07.
