NCAA Tournament 2022: Villanova controls Michigan to get to Elite Eight

Jermaine Samuels and Villanova Wildcats controlled Michigan in the second half to advance to the Elite Eight. Michigan’s up and down season ends over a disappointing loss in the Sweet Sixteen.

The Villanova Wildcats beat the Michigan Wolverines, 63-55. The Wildcats were led by Jermaine Samuels. Samuels had 22 points on 61 percent shooting. The Wolverines were led by Hunter Dickinson. Dickinson had 15 points on 37 percent shooting.

The game was very close in the first half. Early on in the first half, the Wolverines took the lead. The Wildcats came back with 15 minutes left in the first half behind Jermaine Samuels. Villanova then went on a 7-2 run to make it a 7-point lead for the Wildcats.

Dickinson led Michigan back to make it a three-point game. Devante Jones then took over and scored five straight points. Michigan led the game by two points before the under-four timeout. Both teams exchanged baskets and Villanova led by three at the half.

In the second half, the Wildcats took control of the game after Eric Dixon hit a three with 14 minutes left. Villanova led by nine. Despite the fact that Michigan cut the lead down to six at multiple points, the Wildcats completely controlled the game until the under-four timeout.

After a Wildcats turnover, Michigan made it a four-point game. Collin Gillespie and Samuels responded offensively to make it a 9 point game with two minutes. The Wildcats controlled the rest of the game.

Both teams shot horribly from within the three-point arc in this game. Villanova shot 44 percent from within the three-point arc and Michigan shot 34 percent from within the three-point arc. Both teams shot okay from three. The Wildcats shot 30 percent from three and the wolverines shot 33 percent from three.

Every player besides Samuels that took more than 7 field goals did not shoot over 50 percent from the floor. Samuels was key in this victory. Villanova Star Gillespie had 12 points on a horrible 28 percent shooting. He made all of his points from the three-point arc. He was actually solid from three as he made 4 of his 10 three-point attempts.

This was a very disappointing end to a very up and down season for Michigan. The Wolverines struggled early on in the season. Most people thought they wouldn’t make the NCAA Tournament after their slow start. This season was a success for Michigan considering their slow start. Villanova faces Houston in the elite eight for a trip to the final four