March Madness: Who were the MVP’s of each Final Four team?

Villanova: Jalen Brunson

How can a player who scored just nine points in the national championship game be the winning team’s MVP? Simple, he’s Jalen Brunson, a gifted leader and basketball player. Brunson set the tone for the Wildcats all season, and the tournament was no different.

He led all scorers with 27 in a difficult sweet sixteen matchup with West Virginia, a game Villanova won 90-78, tied for their smallest margin of victory of the tournament. Brunson also had a huge game in the national semifinal against Kansas, as he scored 18 and shot 50% from the field.

The reason this junior is such an integral part of Nova’s championship run is the intensity he brings on defense, his natural scoring ability, and his unselfishness. All of these characteristics lead to incredible efficiency, because Brunson has a high basketball IQ and prioritizes his team’s success far above his own.

Next: Preseason Top 25 teams for 2018-19

It is hard to say whether or not the Wildcats would have won the national title without their leader. They may have, given the fact that they were so dominant and had so much talent on display throughout the tournament. But regardless, choosing one MVP from this Villanova team is not hard. It is Brunson, hands down.