Villanova claims title
15 shooting night that was better than that.
He opened his game-sealing run with an around-theback dribble to get to the basket and get fouled. On the other end, he delivered a two-handed rejection of Michigan’s Charles Matthews, when Matthews tried to bring it into the paint.
The 3-pointer that sealed it came from a big step behind the arc; yes, the man was feeling it.
About the only drama as the night closed was whether DiVincenzo could unwrap himself from his teammates’ mob hug to toss the ball underhanded toward the scoreboard. He succeeded there, too.
Villanova started flat at both ends, unable to slow the Wolverines off the dribble or make anything from the 3point arc to fall after setting the Final Four record Saturday against Kansas.
DiVincenzo provided an immediate offensive spark, stroking in long 3-pointers and driving hard to the basket.
He finished 10 for 15 from the floor and 5 of 7 from the 3point arc to help the Wildcats overcome a frustrating night for national player of the year Jalen Brunson.
Michigan (34-7) finished 3 of 23 from the arc against the Wildcats’ swarming perimeter defenders.
Villanova also wore out Michigan big man Moe Wagner by forcing him to fight through a multitude of screens on defense. Wagner scored 16 points after an early nine-point outburst and had trouble getting back to the rim for defensive rebounds, allowing the Wildcats to grab 12 on the offensive boards.
The Wildcats missed eight of their first nine shots from the arc and Wagner scored nine points in the opening six minutes, the game playing right into the Wolverines’ hands.
Once DiVincenzo came in, Michigan had no answer.
The 6-foot-5 sophomore hit Villanova’s first 3-pointer at 12:41 and kept scoring. He hit a couple of long 3s to force Michigan to extend its defense even farther and that opened up driving lanes, along with a pass out of a trap from DiVincenzo to Omari Spellmanfor a dunk.
DiVincenzo had 18 points in 18 first-half minutes and one blocked shot — after missing a layup, checking on a photographer and hustling back.