3. Final Fours since 2009. I could look back at those three online brackets where I had Kansas winning it all.
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Reasons they won’t win: MI can’t afford to go cold now.
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134. Wins (and counting). The field goal percentage was Villanova’s lowest since 2015.
A couple of disclaimers. “They are led by a the their German big man, Moritz Wagner, who can shoot the three at 6’10”. One of those came from that first Elite Eight experience seven years ago which he’s carried forward since. I’m not sure there is anybody in the game with a softer spot for mid-major Jesuit schools than Beilein, a devout Catholic from Buffalo and a lifelong champion of Jesuit education. I wondered why it took so long, but that’s me, not the kids. And he had 14 points in the overtime win against Duke in the Elite Eight, including some solid high-post plays to attack the vulnerable middle of the Blue Devils’ zone. Our guys take pride in that.
Throw in a tenacious Texas Tech defense synced perfectly to the personnel and you have the formula for ugly.
“We consistently had very good players”, Wright said. The Wolverines boast the highest winning percentage (.857) of any program to have played in at least five national semifinal games.
Keenan Evans scored 12 points for the Red Raiders, Jarrett Culver had 11 and 6-foot-6 guard Justin Gray led the team with nine rebounds.
The Wildcats soared to the top of the AP Top 25, earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and won another Big East Tournament title without a senior on the roster. Tech went without a basket for a stretch of four minutes before Jarrett Culver tallied to get his mates within 27-21. In 4 tournament games, opposing starting point guards have averaged 11.8 PPG but have shot just 18-52 from the floor (34.6%). The Raiders frequently doubled Brunson to make him give up the ball. With 44 3-pointers, it also entered the afternoon just 11 3s shy of setting a new Division I, single-season record. Tech wasn’t going to let that happen on their watch.
“Everything we’ve been through.we do it for moments like this”, Kansas star Devonte’ Graham said. And when all three are clicking, they are an impossible match-up for anybody. Yet they still managed to knock off the Jayhawks thanks to stingy defense and near ideal 18-for-19 foul shooting. Both are all-around teams that have a deliberate offense but are efficient in transition. As skilled as Kansas is, though, they have flaws, probably more than a Duke team which might boast five National Basketball Association first round draft choices. They made just 16 of 24 attempts from the line and missed three in the final two minutes. “From now on, you’re going to play nothing but good teams”. We think Loyola’s gonna play in the national title, but it’s gonna be close. “It’s fun when they go in, but we don’t worry about missing them”.
Sister Jean, prepare to meet Father Rob, the priest on the Villanova bench who provides spiritual support for the Wildcats. It’s hard to imagine the Wildcats losing to Kansas.
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Well, unless you’re a Duke fan. They’re back on track now, however, and have a great opportunity to add a national title to Beilein’s already impressive resume.
