Villanova and Michigan reach NCAA Final
Villanova and Michigan will square off Monday night for the NCAA Title. For Villanova, that means that they will play for their second NCAA title in three years.
In their semi-final game last night Eric Paschall had 24 points, including four of the Villanova’s record 18 3-pointers, in a 95-79 win over the Kansas Jayhawks. Jalen Brunson, the AP national player of the year added 18 points, while Omari Spellman and Donte DiVincenzo each had 15.
Villanova set all kind of records while making all those long-range shots. They had the most made 3-pointers in a Final Four game, and now have the most ever in a single NCAA tournament with 66 in their five games — and one more game to play. They also set the NCAA single-season record.
The only time Kansas led was when Udoka Azubuike hit a jumper on the first shot of the game. The Wildcats then scored 11 straight points, including 3’s by three different players in less than 90 seconds. AP All-America guard Devonte’ Graham, the Big 12 player of the year, had 23 points for Kansas. Malik Newman added 21.
In the other semi-final game, Michigan beat Loyola-Chicago 69-57. It meant the end of Loyola-Chicago’s incredible run in the NCAA Tournament.
Moe Wagner had 24 points and 15 rebounds for Michigan, who overcame a 10-point deficit early in the second half. Charles Matthews added 17 points.
Loyola-Chicago, the No. 11 seed in the South Region, were in their first Final Four since 1963 — the year they were national champions.
Freshman center Cameron Krutwig had 17 points and Clayton Custer 15 for Loyola, which finished the season 32-6. That was a school record for wins.
Michigan has now won 14 games in a row.
Two years after Villanova triumphed in Houston, they’ll be the favorites to do it again in the San Antonio. Their final obstacle is a Michigan team currently led by German center Moe Wagner, a nightmare matchup for most opponents.
But Villanova is a 3-point shooting machine that tests the depth and defense of every opponent. Michigan, on the other hand, has scrapped and clawed for most of its victories during March Madness, but that resourcefulness should be fully tested by the No. 1-seeded Villanova.
Michigan is in the title game for the second time under coach John Beilein, who has never won a national championship. His 2013 Wolverines lost to Rick Pitino’s Louisville Cardinals in Atlanta.