One win away from immortality
NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP: Villanova is coming in hot, but North Carolina is a true college heavyweight
HOUSTON — It isn’t quite David vs. Goliath, but Monday’s NCAA title game pits perhaps the biggest heavyweight in college basketball against a school that takes after fictional hometown hero Rocky.
While North Carolina hasn’t won a championship since 2009, this is the 10th time the school has made the game, with five prior wins. The Tar Heels are the only team to make at least one Final Four in each of the past eight decades and boast alumni such as Michael Jordan, James Worthy, Rasheed Wallace, Vince Carter, Jerry Stackhouse and legendary head coach Dean Smith.
Villanova has only made the Final Four five times, with only one win, the 1985 miracle over Georgetown. Though the school has been a power in recent years — aside from five early tournament exits in a row — it is no basketball factory. Kyle Lowry is the first star in decades to emerge from the program and the team went 13-19 the year before star senior Ryan Arcidiacono arrived in Philly.
But here they both are, a win away from immortality.
They have also probably been the two best teams at this tournament, which sets up what could potentially be a fine tilt. It’s about time. Following Villanova’s dismantling of Oklahoma and North Carolina’s reasonably easy win over Syracuse, there has been quite a bit of muttering about this possibly being the worst Final Four ever.
North Carolina’s size has overwhelmed opponents at both ends, but the Wildcats are as tough as they come and have the bulk and grit to make up for whatever height disparity they might face.
Both teams can fill it up, have great balance and are well-coached, with experienced rosters.
Both teams spent time at the top of the pools. That should lead to a better brand of basketball than has been seen throughout the tournament.
Villanova’s hoops clinic on Saturday certainly caught the attention of the Tar Heels.
“I think anytime somebody beats a team by 44 points, that’s kind of eye-opening,” UNC swingman Justin Jackson said on Sunday.
“(71 per cent), is that what they shot?” Jackson asked. “That’s hard to do even if you’re shooting by yourself.”
Forward Brice Johnson was just as impressed by Villanova’s defence against Oklahoma and star guard Buddy Hield.
“It’s definitely impressive to see a team win by 44 in the Final Four, especially since they held one of the best players in the country to nine points,” Johnson said.
“He was averaging 25 points a game. That’s really impressive just because they’re a very good defensive team and they play well together.”
Jay Wright’s squad knows it can’t possibly play any better than it did Saturday and must make sure the drop-off isn’t steep enough that its excellent opponent gets what it wants too easily.
“I think they are third in the country in offensive field goal percentage, meaning of any team in the country, they get the most offensive rebounds off their missed shots,” Wright said.
“It’s not just length and athleticism, it’s scheme. They have those guys around the basket. It’s desire.
“So we’ve got to scheme against it and we’ve got to have the toughness and aggressiveness to want to go get it like they do. They do a great job of getting after the ball.”
The teams have only 11 losses between them all season. Syracuse had 13 heading into Saturday, Oklahoma eight. Villanova took out No. 1 overall seed Kansas, clobbered Hield and Oklahoma and a defeated a good Miami team.
UNC has won 10 in a row and has only really been threatened in two or three of those contests.
These are two fitting finalists with few weaknesses.
“This is going to be a hell of a game. This is going to be a good game,” Wright said.
That’s what they said about Villanova-Oklahoma. Hopefully Wright is correct.
“It’s definitely impressive to see a team win by 44 in the Final Four, especially since they held one of the best players in the country to nine points.” — Brice Johnson