Michigan, a No.3 seed, takes on a No. 1 in Villanova for the NCAA title in San Antonio.
Villanova’s high-octane offense to oppose Michigan’s strong-willed defense in title game
SAN ANTONIO — “I apologize I was late,” Kansas coach Bill Self said, addressing the media after a thrashing at the hands of Villanova. “I drank a little too much water during the game.” Understandable. Had Self not administered a steady stream of chilled water, he might have overheated. He spent Saturday night in the Alamodome vacillating between sideline stalking and sitting at the head of Kansas’ sunken bench, watching the Wildcats dissect his defense to the tune of 95 points and a Final Four-record 18 3-pointers.
At one point, Self’s face assumed a shade of bright red.
That’s the kind of vexing evening Michigan coach John Beilein would rather avoid Monday when the Wolverines (33-7) and Wildcats (35-4) meet to decide this year’s national champion.
“With all the media responsibilities after the game, I didn't get to see the first half of Villanova,” Beilein said. “I'm sure glad I didn't.”
Michigan downed 11th-seeded Loyola-Chicago 69-57 in a game that mirrored an old Big East battle. Fitting, considering Beilein steered West Virginia through that conference for five seasons.
Burly big men — Michigan’s Moritz Wagner and Loyola’s Cameron Krutwig — brawled like bull elephants; 3-pointers were mostly an afterthought; neither team shot better than 43 percent.
It lacked the aesthetic appeal of Villanova’s performance, which played like an ode both to last decade’s “Seven Seconds or Less” Phoenix Suns and present-day NBA juggernauts who espouse those same philosophies.
“The Golden State Warriors have been using this style for a while now,” Wright said. “Mike D'Antoni, before he went to the (Rockets) — even when he was with the Suns, we all watched it. As a matter of fact, Jalen's (Brunson) favorite player is Steve Nash. We've talked about that. So, they had a great influence on us, all of us, but specifically Villanova.”
Beilein’s toughest test yet
Michigan is no slouch from deep, either. It hit 14 3-pointers against Texas A&M in the Sweet 16 and hit at least 10 in 16 games this season. But Michigan can’t win playing Villanova’s game. That way madness lies.
It will be on Beilein to counteract Wright’s motion offense, which has hummed along smoothly while posting the second-best offensive efficiency since 2002-03. But if anyone can devise a scheme to stop the unstoppable, it’s Beilein.
“Everybody in our business really respects him,” Wright said, “because when you compete against somebody, when you play a team, you know this guy really does a good job; they're hard to guard. And when we do something they always adjust. He's respected as one of the best in that area.”
Beilein and Wright go back. Way back. Their wives grew into tennis partners before Beilein left West Virginia for Michigan in 2007.
Wright landed his first coaching gig with Division III Rochester in 1984 and remained there until 1986. About 90 miles of interstate separated him from Beilein, who helmed Division II Le Moyne from 1983 to 1992.
The two programs weren’t oncourt rivals, but instead vied for many of the same area recruits. In this, Beilein enjoyed a considerable advantage.
“Just like he is now, just nicest guy in the world,” Wright said of Beilein. “I was a first-year (assistant) coach. He was always really friendly. But the recruiting back then was, in upstate New York, we would recruit guys all year, then John would wait until the end of the year, because he had the scholarship and we didn't.
“You'd be on a guy, and you'd just hope you wouldn't see John in the gym. And, like, in April, he'd pop in, and he'd see you. You'd say, ‘Are you going to take him, John?’ He goes, ‘Yeah, I'm sorry, but we're going to take him.’ ”
Elusive championship
Beilein boasts a 5-3 record against Wright, though the twotime Naismith coach of the year has one thing that has eluded Beilein all this time: a national championship.
The Wolverines will do all they can to deliver their coach the ultimate prize and, at the least, keep his face from turning the same shade as this city’s favorite soft drink.
“He’s coached for 40 years,” Wagner said. “We do so much together, and we really want to win this because he’s been so close, but that’s something he hasn’t accomplished yet. You really want to leave it all out there for him. It’s definitely a big motivation.”