Announcers: Martin Soaries and Ryan Kirk
Location: Houston, TX
Tip-off: 9:19 p.m.
Click here to stream the broadcast live
#2 Villanova Wildcats (34-5)
PG: Ryan Arcidiacono
SG: Jalen Brunson
SF: Josh Hart
PF: Kris Jenkins
C: Daniel Ochefu
#1 North Carolina Tar Heals (33-6)
PG: Joel Berry II
SG: Marcus Paige
SF: Justin Jackson
PF: Brice Johnson
C: Kennedy Meeks
Why Villanova will win?
Villanova’s tournament schedule has prepared them for North Carolina. Villanova defeat Kansas, Oklahoma and Miami in the quadrant of death. Their 44 point win over Oklahoma in the semifinals looked like a 1-16 first round game. Coach of the Year Jay Wright and point guard Ryan Arcidiacono’s chemistry has never looked better. Villanova is the underdog for the third game in a row. They have played their best basketball when playing the underdog role.
Why North Carolina will win?
Roy Williams has a lot of experience in late rounds of the NCAA Tournament. He has eight Final Four appearances and two National Championship titles. This tournament could be his best coaching job yet. North Carolina has won each 2016 NCAA Tournament game by an average of 16.2 points per game. Their schedule has been much easier than Villanova, but their small-ball lineup has dominated. Williams has been preparing seniors Marcus Paige and Brice Johnson for today for four years.
Key Matchup
Kris Jenkins vs. Brice Johnson
Jenkins and Johnson have been animals in the NCAA Tournament. Jenkins is averaging 15.8 ppg shooting 57.4% from the field. Johnson averaged 20 points per game shooting 62% from the field. The difference is three point shooting. Johnson hasn’t taken a three-point shot in the tournament while Jenkins is shooting 49.4% from behind the arc. Jenkins will have to shoot over Johnson’s length. Johnson needs to overpower Jenkins down low. The better prepared upperclassman will win the National Tournament.
Prediction:
UNC 75 – Villanova 70
