PHOENIX — Saints legend Drew Brees joined the NCAA March Madness crew during the pregame show ahead of the Purdue and UConn National Championship game.
Brees, a 2001 Purdue University graduate, spoke about what this season has meant to him and the school.
He said, "It makes us so proud. I think I think we've always prided ourselves on having a great basketball program, one that not only prides herself on skill development, but character and leadership development, and graduating our players."
The Boilermakers are seeking their first title in program history just a year after they became the second team ever to be eliminated by a 16-seed team.
On the other side, the Huskies are looking to become the first repeat champs since Florida in 2006 and 2007.
"I think Matt Painter has done a phenomenal job. I think of the way we ended last season, you know, losing as the one seat in the first round, coming back the way that we have very decisively throughout the regular season," Brees said. Carrying that number one tag, which is hard to do, you know, you got the bullseye on your chest, but then marching our way through the finals."
The game is scheduled to tip off at 8:20 C.T.
Before leaving the desk, Brees was asked what he would tell the players before the game. He responded by saying, "You win the game before you step on the court. And I feel like we won the game before we stepped on the court with our preparation with our mindset, and the way that we've handled all of the adversity we belong here.
