Former coach watches thriller

HOUSTON — Villanova Coach Jay Wright strolled past half- snipped nets late Monday evening, feet f luttering over confetti, an arm around Rollie Massimino.

Massimino, the former Villanova coach, is no stranger to championshipgame thrillers. In 1985, his Villanova team shocked Georgetown, 66- 64, to win the title. It was widely considered one of the greatest upsets in championshipgame history.

It was Villanova’s only title, until Monday.

Afterward Massimino, 81, said that when Kris Jenkins’ game- winning shot went in, “I almost jumped on the court.”

When asked which of the two games ranked f irst, Massimino sounded almost wounded.

“This one’s one!” he said.

Off their game

Villanova’s stubborn defense forced North Carolina into a game unlike any it has seen this season.

North Carolina prefers to pound the ball inside to forwards Brice Johnson and Kennedy Meeks. The Tar Heels scored 50 points in the paint in their last game. Against Villanova, they scored 26, their second- lowest total of the season.

“They challenge every shot,” guard Marcus Paige said. “We also missed a bunch of shots at the rim. I can think of a couple times where I got the ball all the way in the paint, and the ball rimmed out, or we got the ball exactly where we wanted to, we missed a tipin. You can’t have those back.”

Arch soars

Every year, broadcaster Jim Nantz tries to continue a tradition. As he explained to guard Ryan Arcidiacono moments after the game, he gives his necktie “to a senior who inspires me.”

On Monday, Arcidiacono walked off the court with the tie around his neck. It wasn’t the only honor Monday — he was named the tournament’s most outstanding player.

Teammates Phil booth and Josh Hart also made the all- tournament team, as did North Carolina’s Joel Berry II and Johnson.