NCAA Basketball National Championship 2018: Michigan vs Villanova live blog

[live_blog_entry id=”LBE18″ author=”20858″]https://twitter.com/FanSided/status/981011104938606593

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry title=”Postgame Wrap-Up” author=”20858″ id=”LBE17″]

In the end, it was just too much Villanova and way, way too much Donte DiVincenzo, who finished the night with a career-high 31 points, 3 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 blocked shots.

Michigan started the game dictating the pace and the paint, but it was clear fatigue took over late in the first half, and by midway through the second half the Wolverines were completely gassed. As Villanova heated up from downtown, the Michigan defenders were helpless to contest the shots.

The Wolverines physical nature actually caught Villanova by surprise, and had the Wolverines been able to shoot more consistently and keep the score closer, the physicality could have made a bigger difference.

That said, Villanova did what Villanova does – grab offensive boards, shoot like the dickens from outside the arc, and draw fouls in the paint. When you play solid, fundamental basketball, it’s hard to lose.

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE16″ title=”And now for a DiVincenzo thread…” author=”20858″]https://twitter.com/SInow/status/981004426759557120

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE15″ title=”Mark It Down” author=”20858″]Mark it down right now. If (and that’s looking more and more certain) Villanova wins this game, Donte DiVincenzo is your MVP.  This kid has done it all — shooting lights out, blocking shots, rebounding, making laser sharp passes — to help the Wildcats put this one away. He’s a one man show, and Michigan didn’t buy tickets.

Any Alabama fans want to chime in on this one?

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry title=”Rare But Interesting Stat” author=”20858″ id=”LBE14″]Obscure stat, but extremely telling of how well-coached national championship teams are. A double-technical on Wagner and Spellman is a pretty rare thing indeed. The Webber timeout was in 1993.

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE13″ title=”TPS Reports?” author=”20858″]You can never have too many references from Office Space

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE11″ title=”Busting Brackets Halftime Notes ” author=”20858″]https://twitter.com/BustingBrackets/status/980994473500045313

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE12″ image=”87538″ title=”Halftime Thoughts ” author=”20858″]After their fast start, the Wolverines look like they’ve fatigued a little. The early game adrenaline rush might end up working against them, coupled with Villanova beginning to find their stroke from outside.

If the Wolverines want to get this back to a single-possession game, they need to stay within themselves and not do what the Wildcats want them to do – chase the ball, and be late challenging shots. A few early fouls seem to have taken Michigan out of their physical game, and this is not the time to not be who you’ve been all season.

Michigan is clearly still in this game, but they can’t continue to leave open jumpers for the Villanova guards. Moe Wagner can still take this game over.

From the Villanova standpoint, they stuck with what got them here, and although the long distance shots weren’t falling early, the law of averages eventually kicked in. If Michigan doesn’t find a way to contain Donte DiVincenzo, he’ll put this game away on his own.

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry title=”Donte’s Peak” author=”20858″ id=”LBE10″]Donte DiVincenzo could be the x-factor in this game. So far he’s picked Villanova up and brought them back. He’s the only one hitting consistently from outside, and he’s shown a lot of quickness to the rim. Don’t be surprised to see a 6th man walk away with MVP tonight if Villanova wins.

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE9″ title=”She’s Not Lying ” author=”20858″]It wouldn’t be funny if it weren’t so true

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE8″ title=”True Story” author=”20858″]Sorry, Kansas. #KUMBB

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE7″ title=”Poole On Fire ” author=”20858″]Think Poole is fired up for this game?

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE6″ title=”Quick Start By Wolverines ” author=”20858″]Moe Wagner has 9 of Michigan’s 11 points to open the game. Exactly what Villanova didn’t want to happen. The Wolverines have come out firing and grinding, and the Wildcats look like they weren’t quite ready for the onslaught. Things will likely even out more, but Michigan is off to a great start.

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE5″ title=”How To Watch National Championship Gamecast ” author=”20858″]No matter which team of which you are a fan, you can have a broadcast guaranteed to suit your “homer” taste, or go neutral.

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE4″ title=”Pregame Thoughts” author=”20858″]We’re about to see two teams who couldn’t be any more diametrically opposed. Villanova, the heavy favorite, who has a team full of snipers from outside, and who can dominate the boards, particularly on the offensive glass.

Michigan, who got here through sheer resolved, and out-physicaling every team they’ve played in the tournament. Their defense will have to be at its very best to bring a halt to the rain of three-point shots Villanova will unleash.

The Wolverines will have to shoot better than they have up to this point, to keep pace with Villanova, even if the Wildcats are off their game.

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE3″ title=”Michigan Starters ” author=”20858″]https://twitter.com/umichbball/status/980977071940952064

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE2″ title=”So You Wanna Be Famous? ” author=”20858″]https://twitter.com/marchmadness/status/980974413716733952

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE1″ title=”Villanova Starters ” author=”20858″]https://twitter.com/NovaMBB/status/980972657679183875

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