Villanova showed why it is the best offensive team in the country, and they did it on the game’s biggest stage.
The Wildcats (35-4) took 33 shots in the first half of their national semi-final game against Kansas on Saturday, and 26 of those came from beyond the three-point line. Kansas simply could not defend the long distance sniping as Nova hit 13 triples by seven different players on the way to a comfortable 95-79 victory.
After surrendering the game’s first basket, Nova went on a 22-2 run to take control early. Associated Press Player of the year Jalen Brunson scored 13 points in the first half to pace the Wildcats. Villanova’s 47 first half points were the most given up in a half by Kansas all season.
The victory put Nova, coached by Ocean City summer resident Jay Wright, in Monday night’s final against Michigan, which beat Loyola of Chicago in the other semifinal contest. It also set a school record for wins in a season with 35.
Kansas started the second half with all-court pressure, but Villanova calmly milked the shot clock and Eric Paschall hit a long three, his fourth in four attempts, to demoralize the Jayhawks.
Paschall’s bomb was also historic. It helped Villanova set a new NCAA record for three-pointers in a season, besting VMI’s old record of 442 triples in the 2006-2007 season.
Paschall led all scorers with 24 points on 10-for-11 shooting from the field. Donte DiVencenzo’s driving layup with 16:45 left in regulation opened the lead up to 20, and Kansas never seriously challenged after that. DiVencenzo scored 20 points coming off the bench for Villanova.
Kansas did go in a 12-4 run midway through the second half, taking eight points off Villanova’s largest lead of 22. But Villanova’s defense stepped up to prevent further damage.
For Wright, it was his third final four appearances and second appearance in the championship game in the last three years.
