Five shots, Four boards, Five misses...

Villanova’s Cinderella run came to a screeching halt before 72,000+ fans at Ford Field last night. A team that knocked down three’s at a 35% clip all season long, could not buy a basket from that range (5 for 27) despite many open looks. A sequence occurring in the second half would tell the story of Villanova’s night. Meanwhile, North Carolina’s balance between their inside game with Tyler Hansborough scrapping and muscling his way to 18 points, 11 boards and their outside game of Danny Green and Wayne Ellington (combined 9 of 17 from 3 point land) along with the super quick and athletic Ty Lawson, proved to be too much for the Wildcats to overcome. The Tar Heels took command early on and by the mid-way mark of the first period had build a 13-point lead. The lead swelled to 17-points (40-23) with less than 7 minutes left before the Wildcats rattled off a 17-9 run to close out the first half trailing by nine, 49-40.

At the start of the second half, Villanova cut the deficit to five points and it suddenly looked like the game many had anticipated. Green and Lawson got the lead back to double-digits, 55-45 and then the sequence took place that was an indication of how Villanova’s game and season would end. With less than 17 minutes left in the game, the Wildcats’ Scottie Reynolds shot and missed a three that was grabbed by Reggie Redding. They worked the ball to Dwayne Anderson who was off with his 3-pt attempt but Dante Cunningham was able to corral the rebound. Corey Stokes took a three and missed but Villanova again got he ball back and Reynolds again missed a three but they weren’t done yet as Anderson got an offensive rebound and missed a 2-pt shot before Hansborough snatched the board to finally return possession to UNC. Five shots, four boards, Five misses. Villanova would not get any closer.

North Carolina’s increased three point accuracy (50%), balance, and depth easily helped to offset their tough night from the free throw stripe (22 of 37) as they in essence ran away with the game the rest of the way. If they can avoid foul trouble and continue to perform as they have throughout this tournament, another national title lies in wait.

Las Vegas has the The Tar Heels listed as a 7-point favorite.