BY TRISTAN SASSE
For the second time in three seasons, the Villanova Wildcats are headed to the national championship game. Setting the tone early, the Wildcats advanced to the title game with a 95-79 victory over the Kansas Jayhawks. Villanova was able to pull away quickly from Kansas thanks to countless three-pointers. The Jayhawks had won their last three national semifinal games prior to Saturday (‘03, ‘08, ‘12).
Game Recap
Three early three-pointers by Villanova gave the Wildcats an 11-2 edge. Soon after, the high-scoring ‘Nova squad extended its lead to 22-4 less than seven minutes in. The Wildcats hit six three-pointers in the early going and broke the all-time NCAA record for three-pointers in a season. Kansas answered with a 7-0 run but trailed 22-11 midway through the half.
Villanova continued to hit shots from the perimeter and took a 31-15 advantage. The Jayhawks trimmed the deficit to 12 with just over five minutes left in the half. Moments later, the Wildcats pulled ahead 43-28. Villanova went into halftime with a commanding 47-32 lead.
In the opening half, Villanova went 13-for-26 beyond the arc and shot just over 53% overall. Meanwhile, Kansas shot 43% and made just two three-pointers. The Jayhawks won the first-half rebounding battle 19-15, but the Wildcats had 11 assists compared to just three by Kansas.
To begin the second half, Villanova took an early 20-point lead. The Wildcats led 62-42 with just over 14 minutes remaining. Villanova led by as many as 22 points and at the midpoint of the second half, the Wildcats held a 71-54 advantage.
Shortly after, Kansas cut the deficit to 14. The Jayhawks struggled to come within striking distance and Villanova went ahead 78-59 with just under six minutes remaining. Leading for the majority of the game, the Wildcats cruised to a 95-79 win.
By the Numbers
The Wildcats shot 55.4% and made 18 three-pointers on the night. Kansas finished at 45.2% but was held to seven three-pointers. Both teams had 33 rebounds but Villanova had 12 more assists (20-8). Meanwhile, the Jayhawks forced 10 turnovers and only had nine.
Leading the Wildcats was Eric Paschall with 24 points. Jalen Brunson added 18 points (13 in the first half) and six assists. Omari Spellman had 15 points and 13 rebounds, while Donte DiVincenzo finished with 15 points and eight rebounds off the bench.
Devonte’ Graham led the Jayhawks with 23 points, three rebounds, and three assists. Malik Newman added 21 points and eight rebounds while Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk had 10 points.
Looking Ahead
Villanova (35-4) will take on the Michigan Wolverines (33-7) in the national championship on Monday, April 2. Kansas finishes its season at 31-8.