The 2022-23 college basketball season has come down to this.
Out of 352 Division I teams, only two remain in contention for the national title: Connecticut and San Diego State. The Huskies and the Aztecs will face off on Monday night with a championship on the line.
UConn has been utterly dominant so far in its quest for a trophy. Led by head coach Dan Hurley and star forward Adama Sanogo, the team has won by double digits in each of its five NCAA Tournament games against Iona, Saint Mary's, Arkansas, Gonzaga and Miami. The program also boasts a perfect 4-0 record in previous championship game appearances. Can they make it 5 out of 5 on Monday night?
MORE: Watch UConn vs. San Diego State live on Fubo
On the other side, San Diego State has fended off College of Charleston, Furman, Alabama, Creighton and FAU to make it this far. The Aztecs are in uncharted territory, having never even reached the Elite Eight before this year, but they now find themselves just one win away from one of the unlikeliest championship runs in recent memory. Head coach Brian Dutcher and his team have the chance to make history.
Here's everything you need to know about the schedule and tip-off time for the 2023 men's NCAA Championship game:
What time does the NCAA Tournament championship start?
- Date: Monday, April 3
- Time: 9:20 p.m. ET | 8:20 p.m. CT
- Venue: NRG Stadium, Houston
Tip-off in the national title game between UConn and San Diego State is scheduled for 9:20 p.m. ET (8:20 p.m. local time) on Monday, April 3. The game will be contested at NRG Stadium in Houston, Tex.
Some may be wondering why the game is starting at such a late hour. In recent years, a later tip-off time has become the norm in an effort to accommodate viewers on the west coast commuting home from work. That should help the San Diego State fanbase.
MORE: How Lamont Butler's Final Four buzzer-beater came together for San Diego State
What channel is UConn vs. San Diego State on tonight?
- TV channel: CBS
- Live stream: NCAA March Madness Live, Paramount+, Fubo
The March Madness finale will return to CBS in 2023 after last year's North Carolina vs. Kansas championship game aired on TBS. Jim Nantz will be on the call for the last time in his legendary Final Four career alongside analysts Bill Raftery and Grant Hill. Tracy Wolfson will round out the commentary team as the sideline reporter.
For viewers looking to live stream the NCAA Tournament final, there are several options, including NCAA March Madness Live, Paramount+ and Fubo, which offers a free trial.
MORE: A look into UConn's impressive Final Four history
UConn NCAA Tournament 2023 record
| Date | Round | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, March 17 | First round | Iona (No. 13, West Region) | 87-63, W |
| Sunday, March 19 | Second round | Saint Mary's (No. 5, West Region) | 70-55, W |
| Thursday, March 23 | Sweet 16 | Arkansas (No. 8, East Region) | 88-65, W |
| Saturday, March 25 | Elite Eight | Gonzaga (No. 3, West Region) | 82-54, W |
| Saturday, April 1 | Final Four | Miami (No. 5, Midwest Region) | 72-59, W |
San Diego State NCAA Tournament 2023 record
| Date | Round | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, March 16 | First round | Charleston (No. 12, South Region) | 63-57, W |
| Saturday, March 18 | Second round | Furman (No. 13, South Region) | 75-52, W |
| Friday, March 24 | Sweet 16 | Alabama (No. 1, South Region) | 71-64, W |
| Sunday, March 26 | Elite Eight | Creighton (No. 5, South Region) | 57-56 |
| Saturday, April 1 | Final Four | Florida Atlantic (No. 9, East Region) | 72-71 |
Who won the national championship in 2022?
The Kansas Jayhawks came out on top in the 2022 edition of March Madness, pulling off a memorable comeback win against North Carolina in the national championship game. However, they crashed out against 8-seeded Arkansas in the second round of this year's tournament.
| School | National titles | Most recent | Runner-up finishes |
| UCLA | 11 | 1995 | 2 |
| Kentucky | 8 | 2012 | 4 |
| North Carolina | 6 | 2017 | 6 |
| Duke | 5 | 2015 | 6 |
| Indiana | 5 | 1987 | 1 |
| Connecticut | 4 | 2014 | 0 |
| Kansas | 4 | 2022 | 6 |
| Villanova | 3 | 2018 | 1 |
| Cincinnati | 2 | 1962 | 1 |
| Florida | 2 | 2007 | 1 |
| Louisville | 2 | 1986 | 0 |
| Michigan State | 2 | 2000 | 1 |
| North Carolina State | 2 | 1983 | 0 |
| Oklahoma State | 2 | 1946 | 0 |
| San Francisco | 2 | 1956 | 0 |
| Arizona | 1 | 1997 | 1 |
| Arkansas | 1 | 1994 | 1 |
| Baylor | 1 | 2021 | 1 |
| California | 1 | 1959 | 1 |
| City College of New York | 1 | 1950 | 0 |
| Georgetown | 1 | 1984 | 3 |
| Holy Cross | 1 | 1947 | 0 |
| La Salle | 1 | 1954 | 0 |
| Loyola (Ill.) | 1 | 1963 | 0 |
| Marquette | 1 | 1977 | 1 |
| Maryland | 1 | 2002 | 0 |
| Ohio State | 1 | 1960 | 4 |
| Oregon | 1 | 1939 | 0 |
| Stanford | 1 | 1942 | 0 |
| Syracuse | 1 | 2003 | 2 |
| UNLV | 1 | 1990 | 0 |
| Utah | 1 | 1944 | 1 |
| UTEP | 1 | 1966 | 0 |
| Virginia | 1 | 2019 | 0 |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 1941 | 1 |
| Wyoming | 1 | 1943 | 0 |