HOUSTON — Kris Jenkins’ dramatic three-pointer at the buzzer has Villanova celebrating its first NCAA championship since 1985.
With the game against North Carolina tied at 74, Jenkins hit a three from the right side and then raised his arms to the crowd to punctuate a 77-74 victory over the Tar Heels before 74,340 at NRG Stadium.
“I think every shot’s going in,” Jenkins said. “So every shot I shot today I thought was going in so that was no different.”
But then…@bigticket2! https://t.co/MruqGpp5GX
– SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) April 5, 2016
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Jenkins finished with 14 points, Phil Booth had 20 (13 in the second half), Ryan Arcidiacono scored 16 and Josh Hart 12 for Villanova, which outscored North Carolina, 43-35, in the second half after trailing by 5 at the break.
Marcus Paige hit running, off-balance three-pointer with 4.7 seconds left to tie the game at 74. Arcidiacono brought the ball upcourt and dished to Jenkins for the shot
“Arch made the perfect pass and Kris Jenkins lives for that moment,” Villanova coach Jay Wright said.
“Unbelievable, unbelievable,” said Arcidiacono, who was named tournament Most Outstanding player. “Simply that. We’ve run that play every single day in pratice and we executed.”
Added Jenkins: “Ryan Arcidiacono, he’s one of the best players I’ve ever played with. For a senior to get the ball and make the right play and not try to shoot the ball in double coverage just shows a lot about him and what he’s about and how he’s just all about winning.”
Jay Wright was COMPLETELY unfazed after watching his team hit the greatest shot of all time #NationalChampionship https://t.co/6p29ZqebaK
– Barstool Sports (@barstooltweets) April 5, 2016
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Booth, Hart and North Carolina’s Brice Johnson and Joel Berry III made the All-Tournament team.
Paige finished with 21 points, Berry III 20 and Johnson 14 for the Heels.
Rollie Massimino, the 81-year-old legend who led the Wildcats to the ’85 title over Georgetown, flew in from his home in Jupiter, Fla., for the final and sat behind the Villanova bench.
“We want to win it bad,” Wright said here Sunday when asked what it would mean to win. “I don’t think it’s going to change our program that much. I think our program’s respected for what it is.”
With Michael Jordan watching, North Carolina, the preseason No. 1 team and favorite to win the NCAA Tournament, was seeking its sixth NCAA championship and third under coach Roy Williams.
“Roy came right up to me and said, ‘I’m really disappointed for our guys, that was a great game, but I’m really happy for you,” Wright said.
Teams from the Big East have now captured the NCAA championship eight times and own an 8-5 record in the title games, including when Villanova beat Georgetown 66-64 in 1985.
With the departures of Louisville, UConn and Syracuse, the last team currently in the Big East to win the title had been Villanova in ’85.
“It’s a big part of what we’re doing because we play for those guys that played before us here,” Villanova center Daniel Ochefu said Sunday. “A lot of the guys on the national championship team, they were at the game [Saturday].
“Throughout the year, they’re texting us, wishing us luck, giving us advice, stuff like that. It’s always great to be able to represent those guys in the way we’re doing it this year.
Said freshman guard Jalen Brunson of’ the ’85 team: “I think it’s a big part of Villanova tradition. It’s something we’re always reminded of. We see it every time you walk into the Villanova locker room. We’re just honored to play for the ones that came before us.”
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