Phil Booth and Eric Paschall
It's Villanova Vs. Michigan for the National Championship
SAN ANTONIO -- After a dazzling performance in Saturday’s 95-79 victory over Kansas that had the media room at The Alamodome buzzing, the Villanova Wildcats will try to win their second national championship in three years when they meet Michigan Monday night.
There’s quite a list of impressive numbers off Saturday night’s win. The Wildcats raced to a 22-4 lead and never let the Jayhawks get closer than 11. Villanova tied the NCAA record for 3-point baskets in a Final Four game (13) –
in the first half – and finished with a record 18 baskets from beyond the arc. The Wildcats have already set a record with 66 3-pointers in a single NCAA Tournament and they have made a record-setting 454 3-pointers for the season.
Forward Eric Paschall shot 10-of-11 from the floor, including 4-of-5 from 3-point range, en route to a career-high 24 points. Omari Spellman finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Jalen Brunson had 18 points and six assists.
But now it’s time to move on from the noteworthy accomplishments and on to the Wolverines. Villanova must.
Beilein’s teams are known for their strength on the perimeter and the Wildcats’ reputation for strong guard play is probably second to none nationally.
In Sunday’s media availability, Beilein complimented Villanova’s performance against Kansas. “It was an offensive clinic against a very good defensive team.”
Wildcats’ coach Jay Wright said of Michigan, “They are a great team. They remind me of John’s West Virginia teams…just a really well-coached, disciplined team that you expect this time of year, that’s what you’re going to play against.”
If the Wildcats win, they will become the first BIG EAST team to win two national championships over three seasons. Georgetown came incredibly close to doing that in the ‘80s when they played in the final in three of four years (1982, ’84 & ’85). They lost to North Carolina 63-62 in ’82, beat Houston 84-75 in ’84 and ironically lost to Villanova 66-64 in ’85.
The coaches in Monday’s matchup know each other well. Wright coached against Michigan’s John Beilein when Beilein coached West Virginia for five seasons (2002-07) and once while at Michigan. Beilein is 5-4 in his career against Villanova.
While at Michigan, Beilein lost the national championship game to Louisville 82-76 in 2013, Louisville’s last year as a BIG EAST member. Michigan’s national championship banner was won in 1989 when the Wolverines edged Seton Hall 80-79 in overtime at the Kingdome in Seattle.
BIG EAST teams have compiled an 8-5 record in championship games.
If the Wildcats win, starters Jalen Brunson, Phil Booth and Mikal Bridges will become the first players in BIG EAST history to play in two winning national championship games.