After the game, many former players in attendance spoke out about the team and the disappointing ending calling them “winners” as they re-united the Tar Heels alumni.
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The White House released video of the president’s call to the NCAA National Championship-winning coach on its Facebook page late Wednesday.
Jenkins caught Arcidiacono’s flip, stepped up and buried a jumper that will forever live in Villanova lore. Both Final Four games over the weekend were non-competitive, particularly Villanova’s 40-point drubbing of Oklahoma, leading to lower than normal ratings.
“I wanted to be aggressive. I just couldn’t be prouder, couldn’t be happier to see them enjoy this and fulfill their dreams”, Wright stated.
“I knew exactly where I had to set the screen”, he said of his role, which was to spring guard Ryan Arcidiacono.
“Coach, it was a great game because it wasn’t like North Carolina gave it away”, said Obama. “When I saw him trailing, I knew he was getting the ball and would probably knock it down”. Before walking off the podium, the guard scooped up two big handfuls of confetti, tossed them into the air and enjoyed another shower of the colorful strips as he walked down the steps. He eventually cut off the last piece of the championship net, and was the one carrying the trophy when the team left the court. Bridges hit the free throw to give Villanova a 59-41 lead with 11:53 left.
Wildcats forward Kris Jenkins hit a buzzer beating three-point shot to win the game just seconds after the Tar Heels’ Marcus Paige made a three-pointer to tie it.
“It’s a great honor to be in that class with the ’85 team”, said Arcidiacono, a Philly kid for whom Villanova’s history may as well be family lore. This year, the president had Villanova going to the Elite Eight and losing to Kansas. They are the dreams of children, a fantasy no college-aged player would confuse with reality. And if the National Basketball Association doesn’t work out as a future employer for Jenkins, we’re sure he’ll make a heck of a commercial pitchman for some lucky sports drink company. I’m always the one with the ball. “I think it could have been Jalen (Brunson). I hope we do it again!” said Mario Gulliorn of Old Forge. Maybe in the NCAA highlight film, they’ll finally take out that shot that allowed Valparaiso to beat Ole Miss in 1998.
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“Honestly, I didn’t even know who was talking until about 30 seconds after he had started because I didn’t have a chance to look up”.
